Toenail Fungus Infections

A Toenail Fungus Infection

How can I prevent a toenail fungus infection?
The best way to prevent a toenail 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 arent 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.

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. Toenail 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.

What is toenail fungus?

An fungal infection of your toenails is known in the medical world as Onychomycosis. You will recognize this as a layperson as a yellow crumbly infection under your toenail, that may cause your toenail to disfigure and become discolored. The tell-tale starting sign is a small discolored spot under your toenail, which if left untreated, will spread to the rest of your toenail. 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 a toenail fungus infection contracted?

Toenail fungus infections are caused by small organisms getting under your toenail, maybe through a small cut or if the toenail 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.

Toenail 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.

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Causes of Toenail Fungus and Fingernail Fungus

Causes of Toenail Fungus and Fingernail Fungus

Nail fungus is unsightly, difficult to treat and difficult to prevent.This frustrates many people and leads them to taking the toxic drug Lamisil.
Learn what causes nail fungus:

* Trauma: when a nail is hit against something, the nail lifts from the nail bed allowing fungus to creep under the nail and set in. If the nail is protected immediately after, fungus may be prevented. Ask your doctor how to prevent bacteria and fungus from getting under your nail bed. Salt water soaks, hydrogen peroxide, betadine, gentian violet all may help. However, be careful as these can be contraindicated with certain types of trauma - especially severe trauma. Ask your doctor.

* Environment: when a nail is exposed to wet areas, high humidity, warm temperatures, or alkaline environment [high pH], this sets up the opportune spot for fungus to set in. Create a dry, breathable and acidic environment. Vegetarians are more prone to fungus as their diet is highly alkaline. Soap is alklaine forming but it is also anti-bacterial so what to do there? Skin is supposed to be slightly acidic so use moisturizers that promote that. Moor mud moisturizers provide an acidic pH. Use all cotton or all wool socks as these breathe well. Avoid synthetic socks which do not wick water away from your feet.

* Weak immune function: if the immune system is not functioning strongly, it cannot fight local infections such as fungus. Support the immune system with proper diet, rest, exercise and supplements.* Poor blood circulation: without proper blood flow to an area, the immune system cannot get there. Then fungus can set it. Also poor blood flow leads to poor nail nutrition allowing the nail bed to be traumatized more easily - trauma may lead to nail fungus. Exercise, dress appropriately and consider contrast showers. They warm you up and increase circulation.These are some of the major causes of nail fungus.

From:
http://4fungdg.blogspot.com/2006/12/nail-fungus-unsightly-problem-nail.html

Nail Fungus: An Unsightly Problem Nail

Nail Fungus: An Unsightly Problem
Nail fungus is not a nice thing. It is an unsightly and nasty infection that can invade either your fingernails or toenails. It is more likely that people will have toenail fungus, simply because for a large part of the year, most of us have socks and shoes on, which are ideal for growing fungus because they are dark and usually moist to a certain extent.
Our toenails and fingernails are pretty effective barriers against damage and infection. However, once an infection has set up shop in your nail bed, that barrier can work against you as you try to get rid of the fungus. What was so good at protecting the skin under your nail is now protecting the fungus as it takes up residence.
When you first start to get a nail infection, the edges or base of your nail shows the first signs. At that point and throughout the infection, you can have some discomfort, itching, or pain in the skin around the edge of your nail. As it gets worse, your cuticles can bleed and even detach themselves from the nail. You may also notice pus developing along with the bleeding. Your nail may also turn a nasty yellowish green, yellowish brown or any color in between. Usually the nails start to thicken and become lined or grooved and develop little holes.Nail fungus can be contagious. It loves moist places and especially moist places where people walk around in their bare feet. You can pass on or receive nail fungus in showers, bathrooms, locker rooms or even by using someone else's nail file!

Another culprit in the spread of nail fungus can be nail salons. If the instruments are not sterilized correctly or if the nail files are passed from person to person, it could spread infections. Also, applying artificial nails and darker nail polishes don't allow the air or light to penetrate to the nail bed, which creates a safe haven for fungus to grow. Nail polish remover can also dry out your nails and cuticles, leaving them susceptible to infection.Once you have a nail infection, hopefully it will clear up rather easily. There are many over the counter products that you can apply to the nail. Sometimes they won't work, so you may have to end up going to a doctor for a prescription. They can provide a prescription for potent medicines, including antibiotics and specialty drugs.

Nail fungus is unsightly, unhealthy and most of all embarrassing. However, if you do happen to be unlucky enough to have your healthy nails take a turn for the worse, there are options out there. As with any infection or sickness, you can start out taking simple precautions against the fungus, but if it gets into your nails or keeps spreading once you have started treating it, don't give up hope.
Make an appointment with your doctor and he should be able to help you get it under control and out of your life for good.
from:
http://4fungdg.blogspot.com/2006/12/nail-fungus-unsightly-problem-nail.html

Fungal Infections

Fungal Infections
If your toenails are cracked, flaky or discolored, you may qualify for this study of an investigational medication for toenail fungus. Participants ages 16-75 will receive all study-related exams and investigational medication for toenail fungus. Compensation up to $350 is available for time and travel.

The research site is in West Palm Beach, Fla.
More information
Please see http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/studies/cat66.html.