Treating Toenail Fungus Infection

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Your Guide To Treating Toenail Fungus Infection

Toenail fungus infection, also known as onychomycosis (pronounced: on-i-ko-mi-KO-sis), begins when fungi infects one or more of your toenails. The main culprit are a species of fungus known as dermatophytes. What may begin as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail, if left untreated may spread deeper into your nail. It may also cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble, an unsightly and extremely painful problem.

Symptoms Of Onychomycosis

While the symptoms of toenail fungus infection may vary from one person to another, depending on many factors such as age, length of infection and immunity, almost all infections share these symptoms:

* thickening of the toenail
* brittle, crumbly or ragged
* distorted in shape
* dull coloring, with no luster or shine
* darkening, caused by the build up of debris under the nail
* separation from the nail bed (also known as onycholysis)
* pain
* foul odor

What Causes Toenail Fungus Infection? 

Most infections are caused by a species of fungus called dermatophytes. These are microscopic organisms that do not need sunlight to survive, and thrive on warm and moist environments. Yeast and molds are also known to cause similar infections.

The most common cause of onychomycosis is by walking barefoot in locker rooms, swimming pools and public shower facilities. They invade the body through tiny cuts on the feet or through a small separation between your nail and skin.

Nail infections occur mainly in toenails rather than fingernails. This is because the toes are most of the time confined in a dark, warm and moist environment in your shoes, thus provide an ideal state for fungal growth.

Furthermore, the diminished blood supply in the toes as compared to the fingers makes it more difficult for the body's immune system to detect and eliminate the infection.

Are You At Risk? 

Knowing if you are at risk helps in avoiding rather than treating toenail fungus infections. If you know that you are at risk, you can take steps to eliminate or reduce the ideal conditions that fungus lives in.

The following are groups of people at risk of such infections:
  • Older adults are at the greatest risks of contracting onychomycosis for several reasons including diminished blood circulation, more years of exposure to fungi and also because toenails grow slower and thicken with age.
  • Men are affected more than women.
  • People who perspire heavily
  • People who work in humid or moist environments
  • Constant wearing of socks and shoes for long periods which hinder ventilation.
  • Walking barefoot in public places such as swimming pools, public showers and locker rooms.
  • A minor skin or toenail injury.
  • People with diabetes, blood circulation problems or a weakened immune system

Complications Of Not Treating Toenail Fungus Infections 

Some of the effects of not finding a proper cure for toenail fungus include:
* Pain due to onycholysis, which can be especially be excrutiating when wearing shoes.
* Left untreated it may lead to permanent damage to the toenails
* Later stages of onychomycosis may lead to more serious infections that can spread beyond your feet especially if your immune system is weakened due to illness or medication.
* Treating toenail fungus quickly is even more crucial if you are suffering from diabetes, leukemia or have recently undergone a major operation or transplant.

Preventing Toenail Fungus Infection 

Here are some key tips on preventing the contraction of onychomycosis:

* Keep your nails short, dry and clean. Trim nails straight across and file down thickened areas. Thoroughly dry your hands and feet, including
between your toes, after bathing.

* Be sure to wash and dry your feet thoroughly every day, and use foot powder to help absorb moisture. Cornstarch is an inexpensive option, although you can purchase medicated foot powder if you'd like (which will help protect you against fungal foot infections, such as athlete's foot).

* Wear appropriate socks. Synthetic socks that wick away moisture may keep your feet dryer than do cotton or wool socks (you can also wear synthetic socks underneath other socks). Change them often, especially if your feet sweat excessively. Take your shoes off occasionally during the day and after exercise. Alternate closed-toe shoes with open-toed shoes.

* Make sure your shoes and socks aren't so tight that your poor feet have no breathing room.

* Use an anti-fungal spray or powder. Spray or sprinkle your feet and the insides of your shoes.

* Wear rubber gloves. This protects your hands from overexposure to water. Between uses, turn the rubber gloves inside out to dry.

* Don't trim or pick at the skin around your nails. This may give germs access to your skin and nails.

* Don't go barefoot in public places. Wear shoes around public pools, showers and locker rooms.

* Choose a reputable manicure and pedicure salon. Make sure the salon sterilizes its instruments. Better yet, bring your own.

* Don't share your pedicure tools with others.

* Give up nail polish and artificial nails. Although it may be tempting to hide nail fungal infections under a coat of pretty pink polish, this can trap unwanted moisture and worsen the infection.

* Wash your hands after touching an infected nail. Nail fungus can spread from nail to nail.

ZetaClear Nail Fungus Relief 

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Description: Rather than chemical medication, these days the smarter consumer looks for a more holistic approach to treating infections.

The ZetaClear Solution is a blend of Tea Tree Oil, Clove Oil, Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Lavender Oil and Vitamin E Oil, creating a gel that's extremely effective in combating nail fungus. The Zetaclear Solution needs to be applied only three times weekly and the 4 ounce bottle is sufficient to last up to 3 to 4 months depending on the number of nails you are applying it on.

Nail That Fungus Forever Ebook 

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Description: If you're not too keen on taking medication yet for your fingernail fungus infection but would rather look for another approach, this ebook would be ideal for you.

The author himself had suffered from Onychomycosis for over 25 years and had tried almost every known methods of treating nail fungus infection. In this ebook, he shares proven methods of putting an end to your pain and shame forever.

Home Remedies That You May Want To Try 

If you would like to try some home remedies first before resorting to medication, here are some remedies you could try. However, unlike conventional medication, these remedies are not guaranteed to work and are generally based on the experiences of people who swear to their effectiveness.

* Vinegar. While there's no direct evidence that a vinegar soak can cure toenail fungus, some studies have shown that it can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria. Some suggest soaking your feet for 15 to 20 minutes in a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts warm water. Be sure to rinse well and pat your feet dry when you're done.

* Vicks VapoRub. As with vinegar, there have been no controlled clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of Vicks VapoRub on toenail fungus, but there have been numerous anecdotal reports that it works. However, there's no consensus on how often to apply this product, so check with your doctor before using this product in a way it wasn't designed to be used.

* Tea tree oil serves as a good home remedy for treating toenail fungus, as it is a natural antiseptic that helps a great deal in fighting with fungus. Take some undiluted tea tree oil and mix a few drops of olive oil in it. Apply this mixed oil on the affected toenails.

* For healthy toenails, soak your toes in Listerine mouthwash.

* In warm water, add some apple cider vinegar and mix well. Soak your toenails in the water for about 15-20 minutes. Thereafter, dry your toes completely.

* Apply the mixture of tea tree oil and lavender oil on the toenails using cotton balls. Do it 3-4 times in a day. This remedy is said to be effective in curing toenail fungus.

Dr Mercola on Preventing Nail Fungus Infection 

What Do You Do to Treat Toenail Fungus? www.mercola.com

Dr. Mercola reviews the options

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Health enthusiast, home remedies nut, natural living believer, husband, father and overall pretty nice guy. (more)

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