Nail Fungus

Onychomycosis, or nail fungus, is a very common infection affecting more than 35 million people in the United States. Although fairly common, nail fungus is by no means a simple infection.

The risk of being infected increases by frequenting public pools, shower stalls, bathrooms or gyms. Especially if you walk barefoot in these places. Wearing shoes and socks that do not allow ventilation for the feet is also harmful. As nail fungus is contagious, borrowing or sharing personal belongings such as towels, socks or nail clippers put individuals in danger of contracting the infection.

Symptoms include yellow or white spots under the nail, discoloration of the infected nail, thickening, crumbling and giving off a foul odor.

Lamisil for nail fungus is probably one of the most popular treatments that people undertake when suffering from this infection. Lamisil insists that home remedies and over-the-counter products are only able to reach the surface of the nail and not the infection beneath it.

The fungus feeds on keratin tissues which are found under your nails. That is why Lamisil contains Terbinafine, an ingredient that is also attracted to keratin. This way, once Lamisil enters your bloodstream, it goes straight to the home of the fungi.

Lamisil takes about 12 weeks for toe nails and half that time for curing finger nails. Patients take one pill per day. Within 3 to 6 months, you may notice the discolored and infected nail growing out. Lamisil remains in the bloodstream and continue to fight the infection even after you stop taking the medication. Complete results may be seen after a year.

Although the drug is FDA-approved, taking Lamisil for nail fungus is not without its side effects. Lamisil should not be taken by individuals with liver disease. Some doctors might also require patients to undergo tests before taking Lamisil, and will continue to be monitored while under the medication.

Isolated cases of occuring skin rashes have also been reported.

Adverse effects that may be experienced by patients taking Lamisil for nail fungus may iclude loss of appetite, nausea, mild abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Lamisil’s cream and powder counterparts are also used to treat athlete’s foot, jock itch and other types of ringworm.

Information and tips about curing nail fungus can be found all over the internet and are even widely spread through word of mouth. Treatments range from home remedies to over-the-counter products. Lamisil no doubt ranks among these well-known treatments. But don’t take other’s words for it. Consult your doctor, research about the components and side effects of the drug. And find out if Lamisil for nail fungus is the right course for you.

Tags: nails, health, skin, symptoms, nail fungus, fungus, treatment

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Toe nail fungus is probably one of the infections that are most difficult to cure. This type of infection is caused by a type of fungi called dermatophytes, fungi that feed on the keratin of the nail. Dermatophytes also thrive in dark, warm and moist environment. So if you are a frequent user of public swimming pools, shower rooms or gyms, you are more likely to acquire this condition.

Oral medication is available for curing toe nail fungus. Lamisil and Sporanox are popular choices for oral treatment. But patients will find that these pills can be very expensive and may take a long time to work. Aside from these, taking these medications might have some side effects that have to do with liver damage.

Patients can also choose to go with topical ointments, such as Penlac. Penlac is applied on infected toe nails like nail polish. But at a hundred dollars a month, it can also be very costly. What’s even more disheartening is that studies show that success of combating the infection is less than 50%.

So if you are on a budget or just doubtful about these prescriptions, you might consider home remedy for toe nail fungus.

That’s right. Home remedy for toe nail fungus would not clean out your wallet and may be even more effective than the remedies that you can buy in the store.

First, visit your bathroom or medicine cabinet. Got some tea tree oil? This natural antiseptic is known to effectively fight fungi. Mix it with olive or lavender oil and apply with a cotton swab on the infected toe nail once or twice a day.

While you’re in the bathroom, grab some Listerine mouthwash as well. This solution can also be an effective home remedy for toe nail fungus. Just soak your toes in the mouthwash to keep your toe nails looking healthy.

Vinegar is probably the most well-known home remedy for toe nail fungus. And rightly so. Not only does its acidity fight the fungal infection but it can also reduce inflammation and itching. Simply mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water and apply on infected toe nail twice a day.

Home remedy for toe nail fungus can be tasty too. While you’re in the kitchen, try eating some yogurt, kelfir or mixing some olive leaf extract into your dishes. These foods are good sources of probiotics which can fight the fungi infection from the inside.

So why go all the way to the store and spend all that money? Home remedy for toe nail fungus lets you beat your infection with cures found right in your very own home.

Tags: health, nails, nail fungus, treatment, fungus, skin, symptoms

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Having a nail fungus infection can be a difficult and even painful experience. If you have tried over the counter medication and they are not working, then there is no harm in turning to a home remedy for nail fungus.

One popular home remedy for nail fungus is vinegar. All you have to do is purchase distilled vinegar, dab a little of it in cotton, and apply on the infected area. This home remedy for nail fungus is most effective when applied twice daily, once in the morning and again at night. It should be stressed that the best results will be obtained if the directions are followed closely.

Alternatively, you can fill a bowl with warm water and some apple cider vinegar, and immerse your toenails for about 20 minutes twice a day. Because fungus tends to grow in wet areas, a thorough drying afterwards is required.

The nail will grow back in about six months, but it is important that the treatmenty be continued until all traces of the infected nail has disappeared.

Another well known home remedy for nail fungus is tea tree oil. The proper application is to place a few drops in a basin of warm water and then place your feet in it for a few minutes. This should be done three times a day, preferably after taking a shower.

Another method is to mix undiluted tree oil with olive oil or lavender oil and rub them on the fungus infected nail. This should be performed everyday.

If none of those methods worked, here is another home remedy for nail fungus you can try. Get some garlic and peel of the skins. Squash the skinless garlic and let it rest on your infected nail for a few minutes. Repeat this twice a day.

Another worthwhile remedy that you can use is cornmeal (coarsely grounded corn). Mix cornmeal with warm water and place it in a bowl, and let your infected foot (or feet) soak in it for an hour.

Aside from these home remedies, other ways to fight nail fungus infections are wearing dry, clean cotton socks and shoes. While undergoing these remedies, a reduction in carbohydrate intake will also help, as carbohydrates act as nourishment for the fungus. Do not apply any nail polish, as this may cause the infection to get worse.

As you can see, there are numerous treatments available. If you are going to try a home remedy for nail fungus, it is important to realize that these treatments take time. You have to be patient. Follow the directions and with perseverance, that nail fungus infection will heal.

Tags: nails, nail fungus, symptoms, skin, treatment, health, fungus

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Nail fungus. The very name elicits cringes and squirms to those who hear it. But what really is it? What are its causes? And perhaps, more importantly, what are its cures and the things that can be done to avoid contacting nail fungus? With such a strong response that emanates from the very name of the ailment, it is therefore important to understand every aspect that surrounds it.

The foremost thing to tackle in understanding nail fungus is obviously its basic nature. Nail fungus is caused by microscopic organisms that resides and infects one’s nails and toe nails. Essentially, human nails and toe nails are very efficient barriers against organisms but once the microscopic organism starts to take root in the nails and/or toe nails, they will be very hard to disinfect. This is when the nails and the toe nails start to become the very source of the problem that they were supposedly made to be against with in the first place.

So how does one get nail fungus? As said earlier, nail fungus are caused by microscopic organisms. These organisms thrive best in a damp and moist-laden environment. This is why nail fungus is much more likely to occur in the toe nails than in the finger nails because the nails in one’s foot are damp and wet more often than the finger nails are. This is because our feet are regularly subjected to conditions such as the wearing of footwear and putting on nail polish which result in moist and damp being trapped with our feet which encourages the growth of the microscopic organisms responsible for fungi in the nails.

These microscopic organisms are also the ones responsible why nail fungus is a contagious ailment. They can travel in the air especially when the place is damp and moist. The disease can also contracted by contact with things that have come in contact with someone who has nail fungus particularly with the things which actually come in contact with the area affected by the nail fungus such as the nails or the toe nails.

As with all ailments, prevention is better than the cure when it comes to dealing against nail fungi. Trimming one’s nails short and straight across regularly is a sure fire way to minimize the chances of catching nail fungi. Since damp and moist are the fungus’ best friends, keeping one’s feet well ventilated and dry will also reduce tremendously the probability of having fungi in one’s nails.

Nail fungus is one disparaging ailment to one’s well-being. Given the ease of preventing it, it is therefore imperative to know everything about it as preventing nail fungus from taking root is the best possible way to deal with it.

Tags: nail fungus, health, symptoms, fungus, nails, treatment, skin

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