Nail fungus, toenail

Fungal nail infections can be difficult to treat and infections may recur. But drugs are available to help nail fungus.

Define

Fungal nail infections, fungal infections occur when one or more nails. Nail fungal infection may begin as a white or yellow spot under the fingernails or toenails. As the nail fungus spreads deeper into the nail, it can nail thickening, discoloration and development ragged edges, unsightly and potentially painful problem.

Fungal nail infections can be difficult to treat and infections may recur. But drugs are available to help nail fungus.

The symptoms

There may be a fungal nail infections - also known as onychomycosis, nail if one or more of:

Thick.

Brittle, porous, damaged.

Distorted picture.

The dark color, caused by debris build up under the nail.

Nail infection can also separate from the nail bed, a condition called onycholysis. May feel pain in your toes or fingers and detected the smell foul.

When infected with nail fungus begins, it can last indefinitely if not treated. Go to the doctor when the first signs of nail fungus, usually a small white or yellow spot under the nail head.

Cause

Mushrooms are small creatures do not need sunlight to survive. Some fungi have beneficial, while others cause illness and infection.

Fungal nail infections are often caused by a fungus belonging to a group of fungi called dermatophytes. However, yeast and mold can also be responsible for fungal nail infections.

All living organisms in the environment warm, humid, including swimming pools and baths. Can penetrate the skin through small cuts invisible or through a small separation between the nail and the foundation. Cause problems only when nails continually exposed to heat and humidity - perfect conditions for the growth and spread of the fungus.

Fungal nail infections occur more often than fingernails because only limited to a dark, warm moist environment inside shoes - where fungi can thrive. One reason may be the blood circulation to the toes is reduced compared with the finger, making it more difficult for the immune system of the body to detect and remove the infection.

Risk Factors

Nail fungus is more common in older people for many reasons, including reduced blood flow and years of exposure to fungi. Additionally, the nails may grow more slowly and thicken with age, making them vulnerable to infection. Nail fungus tends to affect men more often than women, especially those with a family history of this disease.

Other factors that may increase the risk of developing nail fungus include:

Sweat more.

Working in a damp or humid environment.

There are skin condition psoriasis.

Wear socks and shoes that hinder ventilation and do not absorb sweat.

Going barefoot in damp public places such as swimming pools, fitness room and a bathroom.

Mushrooms feet.

There is a skin lesion or broken nails or other infections.

Having diabetes, circulation problems or a weakened immune system.

Complications

Fungal nail infections can be painful and can cause permanent damage to the nail. It can lead to other serious infections that can spread beyond the foot if there is a weakened immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.

Fungal nail infections cause serious health risks for people with diabetes and people with weakened immune systems, such as those with leukemia, AIDS or who have had an organ transplant. If you have diabetes, blood circulation and provides nerves to the legs can become weakened. There is also a greater risk to the cells, the ability of bacterial skin infections serious. Therefore, any relatively minor injury in the foot - including nail fungus infection - can lead to a more serious complication, requiring timely medical care. See a doctor immediately if you suspect fungal nail infections.

Tests and diagnosis

Your doctor will probably check the nails first. To test for fungi, your doctor may scrape some debris from under the nail to analyze.

The fragments can be examined under a microscope or cultured in the laboratory to determine the cause of the infection. Other conditions, such as psoriasis, can mimic a nail fungal infection. Microorganisms, including yeasts and bacteria, can infect fingernails. Knowing the cause of the infection will help determine the best course of treatment.

Treatments and drugs

Nail fungus can be difficult to treat, and repeated infections are common. The nail fungus creams and ointments are available, but not very efficient. If you have foot fungus infections as well as nail fungus, foot should be treated with topical and keep clean and dry.

Take

To treat nail fungus, your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication. Research shows that the most effective treatment: terbinafine (Lamisil) and itraconazole (Sporanox).

Your doctor may recommend medication if:

Diabetes or other risk factors of tissue.

There is a history of cellulitis.

There are experiencing pain or discomfort from nail infections.

Want treated for infection.

These drugs help develop new nail immunity, slowly replacing the infected part of the nail. Often there are drugs in six to 12 weeks, but will not see the end result of treatment until the nail grows back completely. It can take four months or longer to eliminate the infection. Recurrent infections are possible, especially if they continue to expose your nails to warm, moist conditions.

Antifungal medication can cause side effects ranging from skin rashes, liver damage. The doctors can not recommend for those with liver disease or congestive heart failure or certain drug users.

The treatment options

Your doctor may also suggest treatments nail fungus:

Antifungal lacquer: If you have mild to moderate infection of nail fungus, your doctor may prescribe a proper antifungal nail polish called Ciclopirox (Penlac). Draw it on the infected nail and surrounding skin once a day. After seven days, the physical layer wipe clean with alcohol on and start a new application. Daily use of Penlac for about a year have been shown to help clear some nail fungal infections.

Drug problem. Doctors can also opt for other topical antifungal. May be advised to use the lotion creams containing urea to speed absorption. Topical treatment is usually not provided, but can be used in combination with oral medications. Your doctor may fingernails scraped surface (debridement) to reduce the thickness of the infected nail to treat and can make more effective topical.

Surgery. If nail infection is severe or very painful, your doctor may recommend removal of the nail. New nail will usually develop in its place, though it will slowly and may take up to a year to grow back completely. Sometimes surgery used in conjunction with Ciclopirox to handle foundation.

Treatment for nail fungus with a laser or photodynamic therapy, in which high-intensity light is used to map the nail after it is treated with acid, can also be successful. However, this new treatment may not be everywhere.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Sometimes, because current treatments can take a long time to work and not always effective, people turn to self-care measures. Two measures that aim to help nail fungal infections and Vicks VapoRub vinegar.

Vinegar. While there is no direct evidence that vinegar can soak nail fungus cure, some studies have shown that it can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria. Experts suggest soaking the foot in 15 to 20 minutes in a mixture of 1 part vinegar 2 parts warm water. Be sure to rinse and pat dry feet when you are done. Maybe foot like this every day. But if skin becomes irritated, try to just soak 2-3 times a week, or increase the amount of water in the mixture.

Vicks VapoRub. As with vinegar, no clinical trials have control to evaluating the effectiveness of Vicks VapoRub on nail fungus, but there are many anecdotal reports that it works. There is no consensus on how often the application of this product, so check with your doctor before using it on the nail.

Prevention

To prevent nail fungus and reduce recurrent infections, practice good hand hygiene, foot by following these steps:

Keep nails short, dry and clean. Cut nails straight down cross and click thickened area. Thoroughly dry your hands and feet, including between the toes, after bathing.

Wear appropriate socks. Socks synthetic that wicks away moisture to keep feet dry can than cotton or wool socks (socks can also be synthesized under different socks). Change them often, especially if your feet sweat excessively. Change socks shoes regularly during the day and after exercise. Replace shoes with open toes.

Use an antifungal spray or powder. Spray or sprinkle and inside shoes.

Wear rubber gloves. This protects your hands too much exposure to water.

Do not cut or select the skin around the nail. This bacteria can provide access to skin and nails.

Do not go barefoot in public places. Wear shoes around public pools, showers and locker rooms.

Choose and nails salon respected.

Clear nail polish and artificial nails. Although it may be tempting to hide nail fungal infections under a layer of pink shiny, this desire can trap moisture and increase the infection.

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