Thursday, October 14, 2021

TIPS: HOW TO TREAT NAIL FUNGUS?

 TIPS: HOW TO TREAT NAIL FUNGUS?

The treatment of nail fungus is often long and tedious. But the onset of summer and the urge to wear sandals prompts you to take matters into your own hands and deal with those unsightly nails tucked away in socks during the winter months.

Nail fungus is caused by infection with a dermatophyte, a small fungus that will lodge in the nail. This type of attack can affect all the nails but is more frequently encountered on the feet, due to the more intense maceration at this level.

How to treat yourself?
Two molecules are mainly used to treat nail fungus : amorolfine and ciclopirox which stop mycotic progression. They come in the form of film-forming solutions or nail varnish to be applied once or twice a week (refer to the instructions for each product).

Step 1 :
Before the various stages which constitute the treatment of the nail, it is advisable to prepare the nail by removing any layer of varnish (using a solvent) and to file the surface of the nail with a file.

2nd step :
With a wipe, clean the surface of the nail and remove the residue left by the file. Wipes are generally provided in the packages.

Step 3:
Immerse the spatula in the bottle without wiping it on the edges. Then apply the varnish to the entire surface of the nail and let it dry for 3 minutes.

Caution: Files used for the affected nail must not be used for healthy nails. Contagious risks exist.

Wait until the varnish is completely dry before washing your feet or hands (depending on the location).

Do not use false nails during the entire treatment.

How to recognize a nail fungus?
It is estimated that 20% of over 40s and 30% of over 70s have toenail fungus.
It may happen that after removing colored nail polish that has been present for some time, the nail appears a little yellow. The color is therefore not the only criterion which makes it possible to affirm the presence of a fungal infection of the nail (especially when this one dissipates thereafter). Do not count it, a mycosis does not go away on its own, alas.

An onychomycosis (its medical name) is characterized by a set of manifestations:

  • - The nail bed is damaged
  • - The nail thickens
  • - The color changes and becomes discolored from the tip of the nail and takes sometimes a yellow, white, ocher or brown color
  • - The nail crumbles or peels off the skin
  • - White and yellow dots appear in the middle of the nail


To improve the appearance of the nail, products can be applied:

When to consult a doctor ?

  • - If the yeast infection is very widespread and the nail has come off
  • - If the yeast infection has reached the fingernails
  • - If you have diabetes or an immunity disease
  • - if you have started treatment for 3 months which has lasted proves ineffective


Advice in addition
N ° 1: Patience

The treatment is long, you have to prepare for it. It takes an average of 6 months for the hands and 9 to 12 months for the feet. Indeed, healing will be obtained once the nail has completely regrown healthy. Thus, the treatment will be all the faster the earlier the care is taken.

N ° 2: Rigor
You must therefore go through the treatment to be able to breathe and enjoy your healthy nails. The application must be done properly and on a regular basis .

N ° 3: Prevention

  • - Avoid humid conditions which favor maceration in the shoes.
  • - Dry your feet well after the toilet with a personal towel
  • - Disinfect your shoes regularly
  • - Cut your toenails regularly to avoid too much pressure and breaks that can injure the foot and constitute an ideal entry point for them. mushrooms.
  • - Pamper your feet, look at them more often to keep them beautiful!


Nail fungus: natural remedies to overcome it

 Nail fungus: natural remedies to overcome it

Some products buried deep in our cupboards can prevent and fight against the first signs of onychomycosis (nail fungus). How to use them?

Some types of fungi can infect fingernails and especially of the feet , causing what is called onychomycosis . This infection is manifested by stinging, irritation, peeling of the skin, and redness. The nail becomes darker, thicker and it weakens.

In question, a deregulation of the pH of the skin that must be treated as quickly as possible, at the risk of complicating the situation. If the symptoms are at the initial stage and the nail is not too damaged, you can try to treat yourself with some natural ingredients. But if the nail begins to come off or it hurts, consult a specialist .

Essential oils to fight against onychomycosis?
The antiseptic and disinfectant properties of lavender essential oil and tea tree essential oil make them excellent remedies for nail fungus.

Thoroughly clean the area to be treated , apply the essential oil of your choice, pure, let sit for 10 to 20 minutes, rinse and dry.

Repeat several times a day.

Precautions for use:  Before using essential oils, remember to do a  test beforehand  by placing a few drops in the crook of your elbow to  check the absence of allergy . Especially avoid contact with the eyes.

Baking soda for nail fungus
The advantage of baking soda is that it can dry excess moisture on the toes .

Make a paste with baking soda and water, then apply to the nail. Let it dry for ten minutes and then rinse and pat dry.

You can also dilute it in a basin of lukewarm water and soak your feet in it.

Vinegar to fight against onychomycosis?
The acidity of apple cider vinegarand white vinegar helps rebalance the skin's pH while eliminating fungi and bacteria.

Mix the same dose of vinegar and water in a basin, and soak the area to be treated for half an hour each day. Dry your feet properly to limit moisture.

The Reader's digest site offers a variation to make this foot bath even more powerful: use mouthwash instead of water.

Garlic to get rid of nail fungus
The antifungal compounds in garlic help treat toenail fungus .

Mix a crushed garlic clove with white vinegar and apply the mixture to the infected area, then cover it with a bandage for a few hours. Repeat daily until the infection is gone.

Coconut oil to overcome onychomycosis naturally?
To prevent the progression of a nail fungus (but also that of a fungus of the skin, mouth or genitals), coconut oil can also be an interesting alternative.

Mix 30 ml of coconut oil with 30 drops of essential oil of tea tree, lemongrass and Ceylon cinnamon. Apply the mixture twice a day until improvement.

How to cure toenail fungus

 How to cure toenail fungus

Toenail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of the nail. As the fungal infection deepens, the fungus can cause the nail to discolor, thicken, and crumble at the edges. It can affect several nails. It is important to treat it promptly.

The fungus to the toenails , also called onychomycosis, are very frequent and account for half of the anomalies of the nails in adults. Unfortunately, the damage caused by fungi can affect the growth, shape, size of the nail and, consequently, predispose the nail to future infections. And that's not all, because this ailment can affect any part of the nail, but it generally enters the free edge of the nail, in the furrows or in the damaged cuticles.

About 85-90% of cases are caused by dermatophytes (fungal organisms that require keratin for growth), such as Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophtyes. Dermatophytes are highly resilient and can survive for long periods of time, especially in damp, dark environments, such as closed shoes, which may explain why toenails are more susceptible to onychomycosis than fingernails. How are they treated? There are drug treatments that are great or you could try some natural remedies.

Baking soda : Add a little baking soda to your socks and shoes to remove moisture. You can also apply a paste of baking soda and water directly to the affected nail and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. Repeat this several times a day until the fungus clears up

Vinegar . Although there is no clinical evidence so far, it appears to be an effective tool for the treatment of toenail fungus. You can apply it directly to the affected nails by soaking your toes in a bowl of hot water mixed with vinegar.

Garlic . The extract has strong antifungal properties. Chop it up and apply it to the affected area for about 30 minutes. Be careful because raw garlic can sometimes cause chemical burns on the skin.

Onychomycosis

 Onychomycosis

L ' onychomycosis is an' infection in load of the nails , both hands and feet, caused by different types of pathogens such as dermatophytes, yeasts and molds (fungi). Onychomycosis is an infectious process that causes thickening and deformity of the nails as well as a certain change in the color of the nail.

Among the various nail diseases, statistics indicate that mycoses occur with an incidence ranging from 30% to 50% and that males are more affected than women.

The toenails are more frequently affected than those of the hands because the hot and humid environment, present in the shoes, is the best condition for allowing the fungi to develop. Furthermore, the toenails are often affected by external trauma from wearing tight shoes or following sports activity.

What are the causes of onychomycosis?
They are caused by several fungi , including Candida albicans, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton. One of the main risk factors is represented by the frequentation of hot-humid and common environments , such as the changing rooms of gyms and swimming pools, which represent an excellent ground for the proliferation of fungi.

The incorrect habit of wearing tight socks and shoes (which prevent perspiration), associated with excessive sweating and poor hygiene increase the chances of contracting nail fungus.

What are the symptoms of nail fungus?
This nail infection may initially manifest as a small white or yellow spot , affecting a small portion of the nail (usually the distal edge of the nail plate). In a less common variety of onychomycosis, called " superficial white onychomycosis ", the nail turns white instead of yellow or brown and the surface is smooth, dry and dusty. If left untreated, the fungus tends to spread, even involving the other nails.In general, symptoms include:

  • increased fragility of the affected nail ;
  • deformation of the nail;
  • lamina opaque and raised distally;
  • inflammation of the tissues near the nail;
  • Infected nails can also lift and detach from the nail bed (onycholysis), as well as emit a foul odor .


The diagnosis
The suspicion of onychomycosis, which occurs during a dermatological examination , must be confirmed through direct microscopic observation and culture examination.. The latter is carried out after taking fragments of the nail. The sampling necessary for the culture can only be done if treatment based on antifungals has been suspended for at least two weeks. Through the cultural examination it is possible to identify exactly the fungus responsible for onychomycosis and consequently the most suitable type of therapy can be chosen. The exam is not annoying, but the response times are not particularly short (it takes about thirty days to communicate the result). The mycotic culture is not always positive (about 30% of false negative tests) and this represents an undoubted diagnostic problem.

In particular cases it may be necessary to resort to histological examination , an invasive method that can be quite annoying.

The Treatments
The choice of the type of treatment for onychomycosis basically depends on the form of the pathology, the seriousness of the clinical picture and the number of nails that have been affected by the infection.

Whenever possible, most of the infected nail should be removed . This can be done by cutting it with a nail clipper, filing it or dissolving it with products containing a high percentage of urea.

Depending on the type of onychomycosis, the therapy is based on the use of antifungals to be used locally (by applying nail polishes, lotions or creams) or systemically, ie using a drug to be taken orally.

In severe cases, when the fungi are resistant to treatment, the nail can be surgically removed .

It will take a certain period of time (in the order of months) for the nails affected by onychomycosis to return to their normal appearance. The relapse rate is quite high.

Prevention
To prevent the development of fungal nail requires a proper hygiene of the hands and feet :

  • keep nails short, dry and clean;
  • wearing socks that allow the feet to perspire, changing them often;
  • do not walk barefoot in the changing rooms and showers of gyms and swimming pools;
  • do not cut the skin around the nails because this facilitates the access of germs;
  • do not hide nail fungus infections with nail polish: it contributes, in fact, to worsening the infection.


OUR GUIDE FOR MYCOSIS SLICED NAILS

 OUR GUIDE FOR MYCOSIS SLICED NAILS

Onychomycosis infection is a common problem and is more likely to occur as we age or as a result of a nail injury. An onychomycosis infection can cause pain and discomfort and also be frustrating because it leaves the nail damaged and highlights how unattractive your feet are.

WHAT IS NAIL MYCOSIS?
 Nail fungus is a common problem that can affect any nail, hands or feet.

The toenails are the part of the body most affected by mycosis because the warm, humid and dark environment of the shoes is suitable for the reproduction and growth of fungi on the toenails.

Infection occurs due to the growth of a fungus under the nail surface . The fungus spores make their way between the toenail and the skin under the nail bed by feeding on the skin or keratin of the nail. While it is not a serious condition, it is also unpleasant because the nails become discolored, thickened and distorted.

The correct medical definition is Distal Subungual Onychomycosis (DSO) and it is the most common type of fungal nail infection. DSO infects the skin under the nail bed and the nail itself which often turns yellow or brown and becomes weak, flaking and can even peel off the skin.

Another type of fungal nail infection is White Superficial Onychomycosis which can be observed on the top layer of the nail. Initially, white spots form on the surface of the nail and, after some time, the surface of the nail may become covered with a white, crumbly, chalk-like powder. The nail does not thicken and does not separate from the skin.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE MYCOSIS OF THE NAIL
Healthy nails are smooth, pinkish and feature a thin white stripe at the tip.

To recognize the mycosis of the nail , quite evident signs can be observed , such as:

  • Nails start to look dull and change in appearance.
  • There is discoloration around the edge of the nail.
  • Some white or yellowish spots appear on the nail.
  • The nail thickens or becomes brittle.
  • The nail crumbles and breaks, or even separates from the skin.
  • There is discomfort when wearing shoes, walking or standing for some time.
  • It is important to act quickly if you notice any of these symptoms. If the infection is not treated,


it can get worse and spread to other nails.

You can try a  nail fungus treatment that helps prevent the spread of infection and recurrence of fungal nails.


WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF NAIL MYCOSIS?
Even if you take care of your feet regularly, you could still get a yeast infection. The fungi that cause the infection are highly contagious . They grow and spread

in hot-humid environments to which our feet are exposed every day, such as swimming pools, showers or gyms where it can happen to walk barefoot.

Other frequent causes are:

  • Not cleaning your feet properly and not drying your toes properly
  • Wear shoes that cause your feet to overheat and sweat.
  •  Athlete's foot can also easily spread to the toenail and cause mycosis.


The risk of infection can also be increased if you have a damaged toenail.

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT NAIL MYCOSIS?
Unfortunately , the risk of developing a yeast infection cannot be eliminated , but there are simple things that can be done to reduce the risk of becoming infected .

  • It is necessary to try to keep the feet dry , wearing footwear that favors the perspiration of the foot thus avoiding that the fungi can reproduce.
  • Throw away your old shoes and change your socks regularly .
  • Avoid walking barefoot in public swimming pools, showers and changing rooms.
  • Wear protective footwear , check your nails regularly and trim them carefully using.
  • Use a disinfected nail clipper.
  • Avoid sharing towels and socks with other people and wash your towels regularly.
  • If you have athlete's foot, treat it as soon as possible to prevent the infection from spreading to your nails.
  • Regularly disinfect shoes with a spray or powder antifungal product.


HOW TO TREAT MYCOSIS INFECTIONS
Mild mycosis infection can be treated with specific nail fungus treatment products  . Usually such products come with antifungal nail polish and disposable files which are used to gently remove the top layer of the infected nail. The enamel formulation thus penetrates the nail to treat mycosis, preventing the fungus from multiplying.

These treatments can take a few months to work , because toenails need time to grow back, growing only 1-2mm per month. You will notice a visible improvement in the infection only after the damaged nail has grown back.

It is recommended that you start treating the infection as soon as possible , as soon as you notice the first signs.

Nail fungus

 Nail fungus

Nail fungus or mycosis (or onychomycosis ) is the infection of one or more nails due to the presence of particular fungi. This nail infection may initially manifest as a small white or yellow spot (but it can also be brown or green) affecting a small portion of the nail. If the mycosis is not treated, the fungus tends to spread and involve a larger portion of the nail - the affected nail becomes thicker and can crumble or fall off, causing pain and discomfort - and can even affect the other nails.

What is nail fungus?
The toenails are more frequently affected than those of the hands because the hot and humid environment present in the shoes is the best condition to allow the fungi to grow and spread. In addition, the toenails are often damaged by external trauma or by wearing tight shoes or for sporting activities. On already damaged nails it is easier for a fungus to take root.

What are the causes of nail fungus?
Fungal nail infections are usually caused by several different fungi , including Candida albicans, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton. Molds and yeasts (such as Aspergillus) can also cause or enhance damage. One of the main risk factors is constituted by the frequentation of hot-humid and common environments , such as the changing rooms of gyms and swimming pools.

What are the symptoms of nail fungus?

Symptoms of nail fungus , in general, include:

  • an increase in the fragility and friability of the affected nail ;
  • deformation of the nail ;
  • the matte foil and with different colors inside
  • an inflammation of the tissues near the nail
  • Infected nails can also lift and detach from the nail bed ( onychosis ), cause pain, emit bad odor.


How can nail fungus be prevented?
To prevent the development of nail fungus and reduce the risk of recurrent infections, it is good to practice good hand and foot hygiene :

  • keep your feet dry and clean as much as possible , avoiding very hot and humid places, especially if frequented by several people (such as gym changing rooms and swimming pools);
  • keep nails short, dry and clean ;
  • wear socks that allow your feet to perspire and change them often , especially if your feet tend to sweat excessively:
  • whenever possible, alternate closed shoes with open shoes ;
  • wear rubber gloves to protect hands from overexposure to water ;
  • do not cut the skin around the nails (so as not to facilitate the access of germs);
  • do not walk barefoot in the changing rooms and showers of gyms and swimming pools ;
  • at the pool remember to wear slippers ;
  • do not hide the fungal infections of the nails under a coat of nail polish : the presence of the nail polish helps to trap moisture and worsen the infection;
  • wash your hands thoroughly after touching an infected nail .


Diagnosis
To diagnose nail fungus, it will be necessary to have the affected nail (s) be observed by a dermatologist . To confirm the diagnosis, a fragment of a nail is taken and placed under the microscope where it is possible to see the typical elements of fungi: hyphae and spores .

Treatments
To treat nail fungus, there are several options to choose from, from time to time, based on the severity of the infection:

  • Antifungal ointments to be applied on the area affected by the fungus (they can also be used in combination with oral therapy).
  • Cream based on colloidal sulfur and salicylic acid .
  • Antifungal enamels to be applied on the infected nail (a remedy that is usually taken into consideration in the case of moderate only superficial infections).
  • To facilitate the penetration of the antifungal products, a milling of the foil is carried out , to be repeated every 15 days.


Nail fungus: how to cure them with natural remedies

 Nail fungus: how to cure them with natural remedies

There are several ways to treat nail fungus naturally. This annoying problem that affects many people can thus be solved quickly.

The nail fungus affects many individuals. Often it is not easy to solve this pathology that affects the toenails more than those of the hands.

Also called mycosis , fungal infection can be countered with a series of precautions.

In the first place, it is very important to keep the affected area dry . In fact, humidity favors the proliferation of fungi.

The warm and humid environments favor the ideal conditions for the onset of infections. It is therefore very important to avoid walking barefoot in places such as swimming pools, showers and gymnasiums.

In addition, in these cases the nails may weaken, lose color and peel. It is also very important to take care of hygiene and in particular for the feet to wash with water only, adding coarse salt. And remaining on the subject of feet, another fundamental aspect is that concerning shoes . Banish shoes that are too tight which could hinder proper ventilation of the feet.

Often specific medications are prescribed to treat nails affected by these infections . Their goal is precisely to eradicate mycosis. To speed up healing, various natural and home remedies can be associated with all this .

Natural and home remedies to cure nail fungus
Natural remedies can be used to cure nail fungus . These include the application of essential oils , such as tea tree oil and lavender, which have healing properties.

There are also home remedies to eradicate nail fungus. Among these there is a specific treatment with immediate results.

The ingredients to create it are: hydrogen peroxide, ethyl alcohol at 90 ° and white vinegar.

We proceed by mixing the hydrogen peroxide and alcohol in two equal parts inside a glass container. A small amount of white vinegar is then added to prevent evaporation of the alcohol.

After having washed the area affected by mycosis well and once it has dried well, you can proceed to apply the solution . You will have to soak a cotton ball in the remedy and then apply it on the nails. The application must be repeated twice a day. This will promote and accelerate the healing of the mycosis.