13 Facts About Nail Fungus
- Nail fungus is the result of a fungal infection known as onychomycosis, and is primarily caused by a fungal imbalance. This condition affects both the fingernails and toenails, and accounts for roughly 30% of all skin-based infections.
- Some of the most common symptoms of nail fungus include unusual thickening of the nail, or discoloration that causes the nail to turn yellow, green and sometimes black. In addition, the nail may eventually become brittle or jagged.
- Nail fungus affects millions of people in every age group, but individuals who are over 60 years old have a greater likelihood of developing some type of nail fungus. In fact, 20% of individuals over 60, and 50% of people over 70 are affected by nail fungus.
- Some people believe that if you have toenail fungus, you might be harboring some very dangerous infection that can eventually spread all over your body. Fortunately, this is not the case. In fact, toenail fungus typically stays localized, only spreading to the areas immediately surrounding the affected toe, but never all over the body. Keep in mind that toenail fungus is a problem that mainly resides in the nail bed and nail plate.
- Although the above point is true, there are cases where the fungus can spread to other parts of the body through careless hygiene practices. For instance, you can develop jock itch due to underwear that has come into contact with the infected toes while dressing (e.g. pulling the underwear on over the feet).
- While the risk of spreading toenail fungus is relatively low, it can be passed to others as well through improper hygiene practices as well. For example, wearing someone else’s socks or shoes when they have a toenail infection can put you at risk of getting the infection. In addition, if you’re using a public shower such as in a gym or locker room, it’s a good idea to wear shower shoes to reduce your risk of getting a fungal toenail infection.
- Something as seemingly simple as an ill-fitting shoe can set the state for developing a fungal toenail infection. This can happen if the shoe repeatedly rubs against the toenail to the point where it becomes separated from the nail bed. When that happens, it’s possible for fugus to creep in and take hold in that exposed area. If you happen to injure your toe, be sure to keep a close eye out for any symptoms of a possible infection, including discoloration or a notable increase in the thickness of the nail.
- The majority of fingernail fungal ifections are caused by a yeast-like parasitic fungus known as candida. This nasty little organism can not only affect the fingernails and toenails directly, but it can also create red rashes around the infected areas.I
- f you have a habit of biting your fingernails or toenails (the latter of which requires quite a bit of flexibility), you can be more prone to developing fingernail or toenail fungus infections. For women who are affected by toenail fungal infections, it’s not a good idea to cover up the issue by painting it over with nail polish. While this will provide some cosmetic relief, it can actually cause the fungus to become more difficult to cure.
- Some of the risk factors that can lead to developing nail fungus (fingernails or toenails) include poor circulation, age, psoriasis, diabetes or diabetic symptoms, excessive perspiration, and certain immune system disorders.
- Moisture can create a breeding ground for fungi to grow, so if you work in damp conditions, you can be at an increased risk of developing nail fungus. As much as possible, try to keep your hands and feet nice and dry to keep this moisture-loving organism at bay.
- Common preventative measures you can take to starve off nail fungus include keeping your feet clean and dry, wearing shower shoes in gyms and locker rooms, wearing a fresh pair of clean socks every day, and regularly trimming your fingernails and toenails.
- Many medicinal and home remedies have been espoused to get rid of this nagging problem. Medical treats include topical and oral agents (e.g., powders, creams, etc.). Laser therapy, and a complete removal of the infected nail. As far as natural treatments so, common home remedies include treating the nail using essential oils, white apple cider vinegar or hydrogen peroxide; sunlight therapy is also often recommended
We recommend Healthy Nail Blend, a blend of 7 powerful essential oils that have anti-fungal properties. Healthy Nail Blend includes Oregano, Tea Tree and 5 additional genuine, authentic essential oils that have been proven to kill fungus. If you have ever struggled with candida, you know it can be very difficult to eradicate. Fortunately, there are some 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. This blend is ready-to-use, already mixed with a carrier oil in proper proportions for highest efficacy. NOTE: This is not a harsh treatment. You should start to notice the new growth on the nail growing out pink and healthy again.
Healthy Nail Blend is a blend of 7 powerful essential oils including Tea Tree and Oregano, all have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, antimicrobial and many other properties.
This blend of 7 oils using a carrier oil of Vitamin E, makes a synergy that is very effective. It is ready to use. 1-2 drops on each affected nail – twice a day for best results. Recommend using until nails grow out to be sure you have killed all the fungus and some is not hiding under your nail.
This blend of 7 oils using a carrier oil of Vitamin E, makes a synergy that is very effective. It is ready to use. 1-2 drops on each affected nail – twice a day for best results. Recommend using until nails grow out to be sure you have killed all the fungus and some is not hiding under your nail.