Nail Fungus - Symptoms, Causes, Prevention and Treatments

Nail fungus is not only ugly; it is also unhealthy. While it isn't likely that you will be hospitalized because of your nail fungus you should still protect your overall health. In this article we will cover the symptoms, causes, treatments and prevention of nail fungus.

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Symptoms of Nail Fungus

When nail fungus starts you will likely notice a change of color, beginning with a lack of shine in the toe nail. With time the nail will become duller then turn a yellowish color or, at times, you may notice the clear nail become white. The shape of the nail will start to change, often resulting in wavy or bumpy looking nails. Even when cut regularly nails that have been infected with fungus look cracked, ragged.

The nail will become thicker, and may flake in layers. Sometimes the nail even lifts up from the nail bed which can be painful. An odor often starts to be apparent. This odor resides in the fungus, and not on the feet. Meaning, it isn't a dirty foot smell but a fungus odor that you will notice and it is especially strong under the toe nail in the matter that can build up between the toe nail and the toe.

Causes of Nail Fungus

Toe nail fungus is actually microscopic organisms that live in the dark. These organisms can be yeast, mold, or the most common fungi are dermatophytes. These invaders enter in tiny, near invisible cuts and they slip in the small space between your toe and your toenail.

Fungus can be caught from a swimming pool or a shower. The fungus can crawl under your toe nails to grow and breed because it is warm and protected under your toenails. Fungus like warm, moist areas. If you wear damp shoes all of the time you have a better chance of catching toe nail fungus.

Fungus can also start as an infection that is not treated. It is more common to have nail fungus on your toenails than your fingernails. This is because your toes are in the dark. When the fungus is left untreated it breeds and the fungus gets worse.

Treatments For Nail Fungus

Treating toe nail fungus can be frustrating. Repeated treatments often do not show much improvement. There are many options to choose from, creams, sprays, liquids, ointments, and such. Each is often as disappointing as the other.

Some oral medications that work well, these include Diflucan, Lamisil, and Sporanox. Taking oral medication helps a new, healthy nail to form although it may take up to twelve weeks of taking the medication and another four months before the new nail grows in.

Anti-fungal treatments in the forms of lacquers and tinctures are also available. These are painted onto the nail and the affected areas of the toe. Tea tree oil and lavender or apple cider vinegar are often used to treat fungus. Soaking in vinegar for fifteen to twenty minutes helps to increase the acidity that kills the fungus. The mixture of tea tree oil and lavender, or just the tea tree oil along applied with cotton swabs to the affected areas.

Prevention of Nail Fungus

Even though there are many treatments available the best option is prevention. If you are careful to avoid exposure you are better off. Allowing moisture to get under acrylic nails will cause fungus so preventing the nails from lifting is one way to prevent fungus.

Keeping the nails clean and dry is important. Fungus grows quickly in warm, dark, damp areas. Avoiding these situations is another way to keep from getting toe nail fungus. There are powders you can put in your shoes on occasion as well.

Keeping your shoes and socks on in public areas helps. If you do get fungus keep it from spreading by washing your hands frequently.

There are many ways you can avoid toe nail fungus. If you are exposed to fungus you should wash and dry thoroughly and you may want to use tea tree oil on the nails to keep the fungus from spreading. Wearing rubber gloves anytime you have to touch infected toe nails is another easy, yet important solution.

See also: Toe Nail Fungus Hubpage