Nail fungus is definitely an embarrassing problem to deal with. The medical name for this fungal infection is onychomycosis and it affects both the fingernails and toenails. Onychomycosis makes up around a half of every nail abnormalty today. It affects at least 6% of the human population, making it the most common nail disease.
Anyone can develop a nail fungus, but if you are older than 60 you are more likely to experience this infection. You will know you are beginning to develop this infection when you notice a yellow or white mark beneath your fingernail or toenail tip. This fungal infection will cause discoloring and make your nails begin to crack. It will become a more painful issue the longer you leave it untreated.
Symptoms & Causes Some of the common symptoms of nail fungus include nails that are brittle, thickened, dull, dark color, yellow color, green color and funny shape. The type of symptoms you experience will depend on the kind of nail fungus you're dealing with. There are four different types of nail fungus and all of them have different causes and symptoms.
Nail fungal infection is normally caused by candida, molds, and a group of fungi known as dermatophytes. Toenails catch nail fungus more often than fingernails because toenails are usually kept in a warm, dark, moist place like your tennis shoes.
Fungi like dermatophytes and candida thrive in this type of environment so the more your nails are exposed to warmth and moisture the better environment for the fungi to start spreading and cause an infection. A nail fungal infection can also be caused when fungi enters the skin through tiny cuts around the nail and nail bed.
Typical Treatments and Preventative Measures The typical treatment for nail fungus includes topical creams, oral medications, and other antifungal drugs. Antifungal drugs normally don't cure the infecton for good so surgery is normallly performed. During surgery the infected nail will be removed to allow direct application of medication.
Along with treatment you should also learn some preventative measures to ensure this fungal infection doesn't return. Some of the things you can do to prevent catching a nail fungus infection include keeping inside your shoes dry and socks dry, wear shoes that fit you properly, utilize antifungal powder, and try not to walk around public areas without footwear. Also, if you catch nail fungus you should avoid wearing nail polish during treatment to keep the fungus from coming back.
Home Remedies
Vicks Vapor Rub
If you notice you're dealing with a nail fungus you can use Vicks Vapor Rub to cure your infection. Head to your local pharmacy or grocery store and buy a jar of Vicks Vapor Rub.
Once you have the rub sit down and start applying the Vicks to the affected area by massaging into the skin. Rub the Vicks Vapor Rub into the cuticle of your nails each day until your nail infection symptoms are gone.
Apply the Vicks at least 2 times each day for as long as it takes for the infected finger or toenail to go away. The Vicks will help your finger or toe grow a new and healthy nail beneath the old one. Eventually the healthy nail will outgrow the old one and push it out of the way until it falls off.
Listerine Mouthwash
Listerine has some great antiseptic ingredients that make it a great nail fungal home remedy. Thymol is the leading ingredient Listerine that makes it such a good way to treat nail fungus. Thymol is an alcohol substance that can also be found in powders made specifically to treat fungal infections.
To use as a treatment you will need to fill up a container with enough Listerine to soak your toes or fingers for at least 15 minutes. You will need to do this process at least twice everyday until your symptoms are gone.
Instead of soaking the affected area you can apply the Listerine by applying it directly by using a small toothbrush. However, applying the Listerine with a toothbrush is a less effective method.
Vinegar One of the best ways to treat nail fungus naturally is to use vinegar. The most common way to use vinegar as a treatment for this infection is to soak your feet or hands in one part vinegar and two parts warm water daily for at least 20 minutes.
You can also mix vinegar with Listerine to treat your nail fungus. Mix equal parts of vinegar and Listerine and allow the affected area to soak under this mixture for 20 minutes. You could also combine some vinegar with some hydrogen peroxide to treat this infection naturally. Mix equal parts of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide and then soak your feet or hands in the mixture everyday for 20 minutes.
These are some of the best home remedies out there you can start using to treat nail fungus naturally. With the right natural treatment you won’t have to worry about nail fungus becoming a major problem.
John is an experienced writer on health and natural alternatives to medicine.
Anyone can develop a nail fungus, but if you are older than 60 you are more likely to experience this infection. You will know you are beginning to develop this infection when you notice a yellow or white mark beneath your fingernail or toenail tip. This fungal infection will cause discoloring and make your nails begin to crack. It will become a more painful issue the longer you leave it untreated.
Symptoms & Causes Some of the common symptoms of nail fungus include nails that are brittle, thickened, dull, dark color, yellow color, green color and funny shape. The type of symptoms you experience will depend on the kind of nail fungus you're dealing with. There are four different types of nail fungus and all of them have different causes and symptoms.
Nail fungal infection is normally caused by candida, molds, and a group of fungi known as dermatophytes. Toenails catch nail fungus more often than fingernails because toenails are usually kept in a warm, dark, moist place like your tennis shoes.
Fungi like dermatophytes and candida thrive in this type of environment so the more your nails are exposed to warmth and moisture the better environment for the fungi to start spreading and cause an infection. A nail fungal infection can also be caused when fungi enters the skin through tiny cuts around the nail and nail bed.
Typical Treatments and Preventative Measures The typical treatment for nail fungus includes topical creams, oral medications, and other antifungal drugs. Antifungal drugs normally don't cure the infecton for good so surgery is normallly performed. During surgery the infected nail will be removed to allow direct application of medication.
Along with treatment you should also learn some preventative measures to ensure this fungal infection doesn't return. Some of the things you can do to prevent catching a nail fungus infection include keeping inside your shoes dry and socks dry, wear shoes that fit you properly, utilize antifungal powder, and try not to walk around public areas without footwear. Also, if you catch nail fungus you should avoid wearing nail polish during treatment to keep the fungus from coming back.
Home Remedies
Vicks Vapor Rub
If you notice you're dealing with a nail fungus you can use Vicks Vapor Rub to cure your infection. Head to your local pharmacy or grocery store and buy a jar of Vicks Vapor Rub.Once you have the rub sit down and start applying the Vicks to the affected area by massaging into the skin. Rub the Vicks Vapor Rub into the cuticle of your nails each day until your nail infection symptoms are gone.
Apply the Vicks at least 2 times each day for as long as it takes for the infected finger or toenail to go away. The Vicks will help your finger or toe grow a new and healthy nail beneath the old one. Eventually the healthy nail will outgrow the old one and push it out of the way until it falls off.
Listerine Mouthwash
Listerine has some great antiseptic ingredients that make it a great nail fungal home remedy. Thymol is the leading ingredient Listerine that makes it such a good way to treat nail fungus. Thymol is an alcohol substance that can also be found in powders made specifically to treat fungal infections. To use as a treatment you will need to fill up a container with enough Listerine to soak your toes or fingers for at least 15 minutes. You will need to do this process at least twice everyday until your symptoms are gone.
Instead of soaking the affected area you can apply the Listerine by applying it directly by using a small toothbrush. However, applying the Listerine with a toothbrush is a less effective method.
Vinegar One of the best ways to treat nail fungus naturally is to use vinegar. The most common way to use vinegar as a treatment for this infection is to soak your feet or hands in one part vinegar and two parts warm water daily for at least 20 minutes.
You can also mix vinegar with Listerine to treat your nail fungus. Mix equal parts of vinegar and Listerine and allow the affected area to soak under this mixture for 20 minutes. You could also combine some vinegar with some hydrogen peroxide to treat this infection naturally. Mix equal parts of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide and then soak your feet or hands in the mixture everyday for 20 minutes.
These are some of the best home remedies out there you can start using to treat nail fungus naturally. With the right natural treatment you won’t have to worry about nail fungus becoming a major problem.
John is an experienced writer on health and natural alternatives to medicine.
use tea tree oil (a high concentrate) brush it on 2-4 times a day if you can and wrap it up in a bandaid. give it a chance to breath if it starts getting too moist, like the toe skin is wrinkly. The nail will grow back healthy and strong.
ReplyDeletepotassium permanganate will work well. note, it will dye your feet purple for a while.
ReplyDelete