Nail Fungus - Treatments And Cure For Nail Fungus

Fungus nails is a unsightly condition which can be difficult to treat. Many patients become very conscious about a fungus nail condition and refuse to wear sandals and have their feet seen in public. It is caused by microscopic organisms called Dermatophytes. Dermatophytes grow in the nail bed, beneath the nail and live off keratin, the protein in the nail.

The condition usually begins towards the far end of the nail and may start with patches of white or yellow discoloration. If the condition is left untreated, it will proceed to the base of the nail.

Fungal infections are not commonly contagious nor do they spread easily between people. Nail fungus grows more often in people with weaker immune systems, which rather than suppress it, allow the fungus to become established. There is currently no known way to boost your immune system to make fungal infections less likely.

If the nail infection does not cause any of these problems, then doctors often discourage treatment because of the potential side effects, the need to monitor the blood throughout therapy and the high recurrence rate. Patients with liver or heart disease generally should not take these medications.

Symptoms of Nail Fungusnn • The nail may become brittle and split in to several pieces.
• The actual condition is not painful. However, if the nail becomes thick and deformed it may grow into the skin at an angle and become an in growing toe nail.
• In severe cases, inflammation may arise from an in growing toe nail which may result in a secondary infection.
• It will affect patient’s day to day activities as the pressure from the nails against the shoes causes’ discomfort.
• If the condition is left untreated for along period of time, the nail will become very brittle and the patient may experience episodes of total removal of the nail followed by re-growth.

Treatments and Cure for Nail Fungus

Wash your feet regularly, and dry them thoroughly when they get wet. Wearing nail polish on the toes is not advised because it can seal in fungus and allow it to grow. Keep toenails trimmed, and be sure to disinfect any pedicure tools before using them.
Be careful of some nail products. Some can cause rashes on the fingers or around the eyes since buffing or filing can cause small particles to enter the air. Some of the more damaging products are in nail hardeners.

If you do develop toenail fungus, see your foot doctor. The doctor might remove as much of the nail as possible by trimming, filing or dissolving it. Medicated nail polish might be prescribed for a localized infection, but a serious infection will likely be treated with a prescription oral antifungal medication. These medications can have side effects, so be sure to work closely with your doctor on your treatment plan. Only in severe cases will surgical .

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.

Antifungal lacquer. If you have a mild to moderate infection of nail fungus, your doctor may prefer to prescribe an antifungal nail polish. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a topical antifungal lacquer called ciclopirox (Penlac), which you paint onto your infected nails and surrounding skin once a day. After seven days, you wipe the piled-on layers clean with alcohol and begin fresh applications.

Daily use of Penlac for up to one year or longer has been shown to help clear nail fungal infections, but researchers found that it cured the infections in less than 10 percent of people using it.