Getting To Know Toenail Fungus
Nail fungus is otherwise known as Onychomycosis. It is a disorder affecting either the fingernail or toenail but commonly affects the toenails four times the fingernails. They are It is usually hard to identify or notice not until the situation gets worse. A toenail fungus cases are rare in childhood but as the age increase, the incidence rate also increases. An estimate of about 40% Americans may have at least one toe to get infected by the time they reach the age of 70.
This infection may be due to a certain fungus among several kinds of fungi known to mankind. They dwell in dark places as well as warm and moist environments. Most toenail fungus are due to dermatophyte fungi. Upon fungal proliferation, they consume the keratin of the nails. The keratin is the protein responsible for making he nails hard.
The following fungus symptoms may occur: nail discoloration to yellow, green, brown, black, or purple), inflammation, itching, presence of pus and small bumps, nail thickening, nail streaks or spots, nail splitting, and cracked or brittle nails. Toenail fungus is harder to heal in comparison to a fingernail fungus. This is because the toenail growth is very slow compared to the fingernails.
A toenail infection is usually due to a fungus entering inside nail or skin cuts and trauma. Constant exposure to moist environment like public showers can also lead to toenail fungus.
Persons with diabetes or those having low immune system are highly at risk of having a toenail fungus. Hence, if the infection has already spread, the condition will be very difficult to treat for the fact that their body’s defense against foreign objects is lowered and not as effective as a healthy individual has.
Today, a variety of options and toenail fungus remedy are available in the market, online and at home such as topical creams or ointments, laser treatment, oral antifungal medications, surgical removal of the nail, natural products, home remedies like tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar, Vicks vaporub, etc.
Lastly, prevention is always better than cure and is always the better cure. Because the inner part of a shoe is dark, moist and warm, then it is one of the favorite places for fungi to thrive. Therefore, it is always best to wear perfectly fit and breathable shoes, and not those that are tight. And also, the socks must also be replaced from time to time especially when the feet are sweating to avoid moisture leading to toenail fungus.
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