Nail Fungus

Nail fungus can be a very nasty business. Imagine fungal organisms feeding on the tissues of your finger nails or toe nails. Then as these fungi grow, the yellowing or darkening of your nail begins. Eventually, the infected nail also becomes thick and crumbly, and may give off a foul odor. Disgusting, eh?

Fortunately, curing nail fungus does not have to be as unpleasant.

Nail fungus, or onychomycosis, is caused by fungi called dermatophytes. These fungi thrive in warm, dark and moist environment.

The best way of curing nail fungus is to prevent it! For the lucky ones who have not experienced the condition yet, if you’re not careful, you might not be so lucky for long. Knowing the kind of environment that is ideal for fungi, try to avoid turning your nails into a fungi hot spot.

Nail fungus occurs more in toe nails than in finger nails, mainly because your feet are often confined in shoes or socks that causes them to sweat without ventilation. Thus, creating an ideal place for breeding fungi.

Do you often walk barefoot in public swimming pools, showers or gyms? Do you borrow or share towels, socks or other linen? Do you neglect to dry your feet thoroughly? If your answer to any of the following is yes, then you are at risk of having nail fungus.

Let’s say you’re one of the unlucky ones who are already infected.

Curing nail fungus should begin as early as possible. At the first signs of an infection (white or yellow spots under the nail), you must see your doctor. As fungi can quickly spread, the infection might lead to complications or more serious diseases.

Once you see your doctor, he or she might presbribe some oral medication for curing nail fungus. Lamisil, Sporanox and Diflucan are examples of such oral medications. In the worst cases, your doctor might suggest surgically removing the nail completely, in which you have to wait for about a year for it to grow back.

Curing nail fungus can also be as simple as a trip to your medicine cabinet or kitchen. Tea tree oil, Listerine mouthwash and apple cider vinegar are known home remedies for curing nail fungus.

Whatever method you opt for, just remember that curing nail fungus may take some time, effort and in some cases, money (especially with oral medications). But when things start looking bleak, just think that having healthy and good-looking nails are worth all that.

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