Skip to main content

Causes, Signs and Effective Treatment for Nail Fungus

 


Fungus Infection

Fungus is normally found inside your body, as many bacteria live. The problem stems when it overgrows. When it infects your nail over time, you see some visible abnormalities in your nails. 

Also called Onychomycosis or tinea unguium, this infection disfigures toenails or fingernails. However, you don’t feel it immediately. Over time, some subtle changes start to appear. 

Causes of Fungus Infection

·         Moist Environment

As aforementioned, the overgrowing fungi start troubling in, under or on the nail. Generally, the warm and moist environments allow it to overpopulate naturally. Consequently, you see jock itch, athlete’s foot and ringworm, which are nail infections.  

·         From Contacts

It is a contagious disease, which spreads on being contacted with someone or manicure/pedicure tools that are already infected. If you have a tendency to confine your feet in shoes, it gets a reproduction-friendly space that is warm and moist. This is how it gets overpopulated.

Common Signs

  •  a thick & disfigured nail that may lift off from the nail bed
  •  an odor coming from the infected nail
  •  a brittle or thickened nail

Ideal Candidates who Can Catch It Easily

Men are likely to catch it more often than those of women. Adults and older adults have a high risk to get it for having poor blood circulation.

Besides, these are some ideal candidates who are more prone to catch it: 

  •   Those who are diabetic
  •  Those who are over 65
  •  Those who get a nail injury
  •  Those who have weak immunity
  •  Those who have poor circulation 
  •  Those who put on artificial nails
  •  Those who put on tight shoes or boots
  •  Those who swim in a public swimming pool
  •  Those who have a skin injury around the nail
  •  Those who sweat &have moist fingers or toes

Treatment

It’s better not to hide your nail infection if you really want to get rid of it. You can try some over-the-counter available anti-fungal creams and lotions. If this does not work, go for the prescription of an experienced dermatologist. He will examine the type of fungus in a laboratory and then, prescribe a stronger medicine.

Some topical creams and lotions may show improvement, but compromising on some other side effects like redness, swelling and burning sensation.   

·         Laser Treatment

Fungus is hard to destroy. It does not get off for being stubborn. As per Dr. Sanjay Mohindra, the laser treatment is now introduced to kill nail fungus. He clarifies, “high doses of light are passed through the infected area. Its results are so far found good. But, more surveys and reports are yet to be conducted to ensure that it is safe and useful on patients. It’s non-invasive and painless also.”

However, being fairly new, it’s costly and even, the insurance does not cover it.

·         Uproot Nail

If over-the-counter remedies fail, or the laser does not prove good enough, your doctor may suggest for the removal of the infected fingernail or toenail. Once it’s uprooted, you can regrow a new healthy nail. But, this could take a whole year or more time.

You need to undergo a small surgery. Or, the doctor will pull it out using a strong chemical. This procedure won’t take more than an hour. You can go home right away upon the surgery. 

Post Procedure Precautions

  •   Keep your bathroom disinfected.
  • Avoid moving out with barefoot.
  • You can use shower shoes.
  • Avoid getting in touch with infected tools or persons.
  •  Put on socks, especially made up of cotton, if your feet sweat a lot. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Best Chemical Peels for Hyperpigmentation & Dark Spots

Do you have hyperpigmented or patchy skin? Well, these are some skin concerns that can affect you, me, or anyone. Simply put, these conditions can affect people of all ages and skin types, which certainly leaves us frustrating. However, its obvious causes are sun exposure, hormonal changes, acne, or ageing signs that turn the surface patchy or uneven. Now, you don’t have to struggle with this uneven tone because chemical peels have evolved. Some medical grade peels are available to address hyperpigmentation in days. And these fluids are now aggressively evolving into advanced peels that can effectively remove pigmentation. Here, you will observe the latest development in this non-invasive treatment option for hyperpigmentation in this article. Understanding Hyperpigmentation and Dark Spots Hyperpigmentation starts diminishing the beauty of your skin when melanin (the pigment that is responsible for your skin colour) is overly produced in certain areas. It makes dark patches or spots. D...
Post a Comment
Read more

HIFU Treatment Is To Remove Double Chin & Aging Effects

  With the précised delivery of therapeutic ultrasound waves into the skin, you see the clock is reversing. The aging of skin stops and you get a beautiful, firmer look. Indeed, the likelihood of this aesthetic HIFU treatment for reversing the signs of aging and their early outbreak is surging up widely. It’s risk free, non-surgical and has magnificent effect that looks like natural lifting of the skin. A recent study has shown that it’s actually entering the list of amazing beauty treatments across North America, Australia, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa etc. Let’s get to know why people are crazy for getting this therapy. What is HIFU? It stands for High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, which is based on the power of ultrasound waves. The cosmetic physicians are using its therapeutic ultrasound devices, harnessing the power of these waves. The waves’ stimulates the much controlled tissue damage, which further the NeoCollagenosis. Simply you rega...
Post a Comment
Read more

What Are the Best Anti-Wrinkle Treatments?

  The market size of non-invasive anti-wrinkle treatment is expanding by leaps and bounds. It has been the most preferred treatment. From $49.6 billion in 2022 to $57.27 billion in 2023, its market is consistently scaling up with an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.5%, as per research. Here are the treatments that are hooking up people who really want to uplift their skin tone and texture. 1. Topical Retinoids This is a very popular treatment that is effective on many skin concerns. Being enriched of retinoids like tretinion, these creams helps skin to boost collagen production while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and folds. However, deeper lines won’t get over with these over-the-counter products. Retinols provide milder recovery. It’s vital to start with lower concentration to avoid skin irritation.         2. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers Also called dermal fillers, this injectable treatment for fine...
Post a Comment
Read more