Nail Health Care Information

Fungus infections cause less than five percent of deformed nails. Drying of skin and skin conditions such as psoriasis are more common causes.

The part of nails that you see is dead. Living nails are located underneath the skin at their base. It takes four and a half months for the nail to grow from the nail plate to its end where you cut it off. During this time, the nail dries out and the ends can crack and fray. So the most common cause of deformed nails is drying with aging, best treated by coating the nails with nail polish three times a week. The polish delays sublimation of water and helps to prevent drying.

Most deformed nails are caused by skin conditions such as psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. If you have thickened toenails, check with your doctor, a podiatrist or dermatologist who will clip off a piece of the nail and place it in a special bottle to culture it for a fungus.

Since a fungus infection in the nail starts in the plate underneath the skin and no creams can get into the nail plate, pills are the most effective treatment for toenail fungus infections. A special laquer called Penlac can cure some fungus nails when applied for several weeks. Fungus infections can be cured by 2 100 mg itraconazole pills each morning every other week for 4 to 5 months, or by another drug called terbinafine. If no fungus is present, fungus pills will not help. If no fungus is present, most effective treatment is to go to a medical supply store and buy surgical quality nail clippers. They are strong enough to cut thickened toenails without tearing them.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

Free weekly newsletter on fitness, health and nutrition

Share This

What is it?

An fungal infection of your nails is known in the medical world as Onychomycosis. You will recognize this as a layperson as a yellow crumbly infection under your nail, that may cause your nail to disfigure and become discolored. The tell-tale starting sign is a small discolored spot under your nail, which if left untreated, will spread to the rest of your nail. This type of infection accounts for 50% of all nail infections, and is often caused by a continued exposure to a moist warm environment around the nail.

How is an infection contracted?

Nail fungus infections are caused by small organisms getting under your nail, maybe through a small cut or if the nail has been damaged by an injury. The organisms are often a mould or yeast that will be able to thrive in a dark environment; you will probably recognize this process in the cultivation of mushrooms, which are grown in a dark and moist environment.

Nail fungus infections are more common in the toenails. This is simply due to the fact is that your toenails spend the majority of the time in socks and shoes, though they can also occur in your fingernails too.

How is an infection treated?

A fungal infection can be treated in a number of ways. A doctor may prescribe you an oral medication. Other alternatives available to your medical practitioner are a medicated cream or solution which is applied directly on to the infection. Nail fungus can also be treated with the application of a specialist medicated nail varnish. To find out more about these treatments you must consult with a qualified medical specialist. There are also various herbal / alternative treatments available, including (but not limited to) vinegar.

How can I prevent a nail fungus infection?

The best way to prevent a nail fungus infection is to have a good hygiene routine for your fingernails and toenails. When you trim your nails make sure they are clean first, and cut the nail straight across. Keep good practice with keeping your hands and feet clean, if you are prone to toe nail fungus you can look at obtaining specialist socks that aren’t made from cotton, which can tend to retain moisture. Additionally if you play a lot of sport and find your feet sweating heavily in your trainers, make sure you wash and clean your feet afterwards, if you still have problems you may wish to look at investing in a different pair of trainers which may allow your feet to ‘breath’ more.

Author: Mike Bromley

For further information about
Nail Fungus please pay a
visit to
http://www.fungus-in-my-nail.informationweb.co.uk

Share This

When you contract nail fungus infection, you need to take action immediately with proper treatment. There are different treatment options out there, one of them is the use of home remedies for nail fungus.

Home remedies have been around us forever as a result of people looking for a cure. These are recipes that are passed generation from generation because in most cases they do work. Yes, in most cases. They are based on empirical results, not scientific experiments.

Here are some popular home remedies for nail fungus:

-Soaking the nails on a solution, usually containing chlorine bleach, Listerine mouthwash and/or hydrogen peroxide. This treatment should be applied daily, and with any nail fungus treatment, it takes months to restore the nail.

-Application of Vick Vaporub and essential oils directly on the skin. On all of this treatments if the nail is filed, it will work better. One of the better essential oils for this kind of application is the tea tree oil, commonly found in Australia. There is scientific evidence to this oil’s antifungal action, and penetration. Also, as the solution, this home remedy for nail fungus should be applied daily.

-Vinegar. Household vinegar has been reported as a working method to treat nail fungus. You need to direct apply it twice or more a day, daily.

-Pure Oregano Essential Oil. Another essential oil that is very popular because of its properties. This oil is antiseptic, anti fungal and analgesic. A powerful combination for a home treatment.

These are just some of the most known home remedies for nail fungus. You need to keep in mind that they do not work for all people; their effect depends on various factors. I have provided you with the basic information you need on home remedies for nail fungus, this is not meant to replace a visit to the doctors that will help you decide what is better for you. Nail fungus treatments are long and you need professional help to deal with any side effect.

Paolo Basauri, is an expert author who writes for Home Remedies for Nail Fungus
A site specialized in nail fungus information and tips for treatment and prevention.

Share This