Living With Toe Nail Fungal Infections

Toe nail fungus, or Onychomycosis, 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 toe nail fungus.

Symptoms

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 toenail in the matter that can build up between the toe nail and the toe.

Causes of Toe 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 toe nail.

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

Fungus can also start as an infection that is not treated. It is more common to have nail fungus on your toe nails 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 Toe Nail Fungus

Treating toenail 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 can often be as disappointing as the other.

Some oral medications that some claim work well include Diflucan, Lamisil, and Sporanox. Taking oral medication helps new, healthy nails 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 nails and the affected areas of the toes. Tea tree oil and lavender or apple cider vinegar are often used to treat fungal infections. 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.

For any type of fungus on the skin it is always worth trying a bee propylis ointment. However, you may not be able to find genuine bee products that are unpolluted and diluted. The gel from an aloe vera plant is another option If you are intent on natural treatments, then you might like to try one of the branded natural solutions you can find online. It is best to choose one with a money back guarantee should it not work.

Prevention of 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 toenail fungal infections. There are powders you can put in your shoes on occasion as well.

Keeping on your shoes and socks 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 fungal infections. 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 toenails is another easy, yet important solution.

There are several different types of fungi that effect health. The main types of fungus include Candida, thrush, athlete's foot, and nail fungus. These are explained in more detail below.

Nail Fungus

Nail fungus is quite possibly the most common type of fungus. This is caused by dermatophytes and is easily spread from one person to another. Fungus grows in warm, damp/moist and dark areas. With feet being in socks and shoes, creating a perfect place for fungi to grow, toenail fungus is common. It can be brought home from public gyms, public showers, and other warm, dark areas that have moisture.

Nail fungus causes nails to become yellowed, brittle, misshapen and crumbly. The discoloration comes from the thick layer of fungus growing under the nail in the nail bed. Often it is painful to wear shoes over toes that have been infected with fungus. Fingers that have fingernail fungus can become painful, especially close to the nail. The skin in this area can crack and ultimately end up infecting other areas.

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is caused by mold or yeast growing on the skin of the feet (and at times hands or other parts of the body). Cracks and reddened infected areas on the skin are annoying at first, later the pain becomes more than an annoyance. This skin condition can make it difficult to walk as the skin dries up and cracks. The cracks can split open and bleed.

The name of the condition implies the origin of the condition. When groups of athlete's use the same showers and the same dressing areas they increase their risks of catching athlete's foot. The condition starts with reddened areas that often turn into tiny blisters. These can turn into itching, reddened, cracking and flaking skin. This is usually treated with topical creams and ointments. Powders are also made to assist with moisture control. If the fungus doesn't have moisture, heat and darkness they cannot reproduce and increase the infection.

Candida and Thrush

Candida is a type of yeast that causes vulvovaginal candidiasis and Oropharyngeal Candidiasis, commonly called vaginal yeast infections and thrush. These infections are actually an overgrowth of yeast. An estimated 80% of women will have at least one yeast infection in their lifetime, more than half of them before their mid twenties.

Symptoms of yeast infections include itching, burning and irritation in the area as well as a thick white discharge that somewhat resembles cottage cheese. A yeasty odor, like the smell that yeast used in bread making, can also be present although in many cases there is no odor at all. As yeast infections continue it cam be painful to urinate and/or have sexual intercourse. Yeast infections can be passed from one person to another. It is also possible to get a yeast infection after being on an antibiotic. Wearing tight fitting clothing, including underclothing and not getting enough air circulation can increase your chances to get a yeast infection.

Candida needs a dark, damp area to grow. This is why the mouth and vagina are the areas most often infected. People suffering from candida infections should keep the area clean and dry as possible. Over cleansing can make the infection worse or increase chances that it will come back.

The symptoms of thrush include a white coating inside the mouth; the tissue may also be swollen and reddened under the white coating. This area is usually painful and eating or drinking can increase the pain. Thrush is common in infants and diabetics.

There are several anti-fungal creams and other anti-fungal medications that can be used to treat candida. Eating yogurt with live cultures can also help return proper balance.