Preventing and treating your nail fungal infections
Don't want to show your toes? When everyone else can't wait for warmer weather to bare their toes, do your feet go into hiding? When it's time to head for the locker room, do you want to head straight home? Chipped, hardened and discolored nails are embarrassing, and can keep you from enjoying what you like to do. You may have tried a lot of over-the-counter treatments, but this frustrating infection keeps coming back. These things may mean that you have onychomycosis (on-ee-ko-my-KO-sis), a nail infection caused by a variety of fungi, yeasts or molds. You're not alone. About 1 in 5 adults between the ages of 40 and 60 - almost 30 million Americans - is affected by onychomycosis. Many are athletes or senior citizens; others have illnesses or may have inherited a tendency to have nail fungal problems. Onychomycosis also accounts for up to 50 percent of all nail diseases and more than one-third of fungal infections. Why me? You are more likely to get toenail fungal infections if you already have untreated athlete's foot or if your shoes fit too tightly or you don't change them often enough. A toenail or fingernail can get infected if the nail has been injured or if you have a long-term condition that affects your immune system or your circulation, such as HIV or diabetes. The fungi that cause onychomycosis affect the toenails about four times more often than fingernails and, like many organisms that cause disease, they grow where it's warm and moist. More than a Cosmetic Problem Nail fungus is a medical condition that can and should be treated. In the type of onychomycosis that occurs most often, fungus enters just under the tip of the nail, moving steadily toward the cuticle. The infection causes a buildup of keratin (what skin, hair and nails are made of) under the nail, raising it and causing discoloration. If left untreated, the infection can infect the whole nail and even move to other toenails. Eventually, as you may know from experience, the nails turn opaque, then brittle and crumbly, and may make activity painful. 
Healthy nails are important
People with nail fungus often dread warm weather because they don't want to wear open-toed shoes. They worry that the appearance of their feet will bother others, and so may avoid socializing. They stay away from fitness centers or swimming pools because they're concerned about getting or spreading infection. Some people have pain, and have problems trying on shoes, staying active, or even, like the elderly, just getting around. Persons with thickened, hardened nails may also need a health professional to trim their nails regularly. There are other important reasons to have clear, strong nails. You may not realize that nails protect and support the soft tissue of fingers and toes, affecting your ability to:
Nail appearance can also tell a lot about your overall health. For example, a change in nail color may indicate you have a more serious condition such as anemia or heart disease. Fight nail fungal infections by using Healthy Nail Blend regularly and for as long as needed. Treatment: The long and short of it When doctors suspect a nail fungus infection, they may take a variety of treatment approaches. For mild to moderate forms of onychomycosis, there are topical and oral prescription medications available to treat the infection. A few of the medications on the market may be effective in eradicating nail fungus but have potential of causing significant toxicity, including liver damage. Fortunately, there are essential oils that can help eliminate nail fungus with none of the dangerous side effects seen in numerous medications, and they have been tested in medical labs and proven effective to kill fungus infections. In advanced cases, the nail may have to be removed surgically or chemically. Your doctor's treatment decision depends on:
Oral medications (taken by mouth) for onychomycosis can be effective, but there are also some things to consider. First, because they work from the inside out, they affect the entire body. That means that there is a potential for interactions with other medications you may be taking. Also, they may cause problems with your liver, so you may have to take regular blood tests. Topical medications usually don't have these types of problems. |
Healthy Nail Blend
7 Powerful essential oils kill the fungi that causes toenail and fingernail infection.
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Why You Should Treat Nail Fungus
Healthy Nail Blend
7 Powerful Essential Oils kill the fungi that causes toenail and fingernail infection.
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