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Posts Tagged ‘nail fungus’

Fungus Spread and How to Treat It

Overview

Finger nails are one of the first things a person sees when you extend your hand for a hand shake.  It can be an indication of a person’s overall health and how they feel about themselves.  Actually this holds true for any gentleman in a high powered business situation.  The appearance of a nail infection can present someone in a negative light. Nail fungus is contagious to yourself and others and can be cured.

Causes

Fungus as with other types of contagions live microscopically on our skin without any thought of ours.  Routine cleaning of the nail and skin surfaces is not successful when it comes to this type of infection.  Fungus is always around the nail.  As with any other infection prevention is the best form of treatment.  Anyone’s immune system under attack, that is not up to par, is more likely to become ill.  Therefore it is the best policy to do whatever is necessary to achieve this end.  There are those who feel that the established theory, that it is possible to acquire such a infection with bare feet in public places not true.  Fungus is a contagious infection and easy to acquire.  Why a multitude of people can be exposed to the same thing at the same time and not all be infected with the fungus is a question not able to be answered.  Fungus is found in a multitude of simple areas, such as garden soil and the air.  More research will have to be done to answer the host of questions this presents.

Treatment

As previously stated a good immune system can be your best friend. There are many factors that can put your immune system in jeopardy.  Stress is the number one factor, followed closely by the strain of chronic illness and poor nutrition as a follow up.  Surprisingly even the most obese person can be malnourished.  A good diet, balanced and high in antioxidants, will help prevent this type and any other type of infection.  An adequate intake of vitamin C is essential for warding off disease.  Diet is an important part of prevention as a fungus is difficult to treat and cure.  Medications are available, although they can be successful, treatment may be stretched over a long period of time.

Remedies

There are some home-made folk treatments that some people will swear by and others will say are a myth.  The use of vinegar and water soaks is one.  Another is the application of Vicks VapoRub on the affected nails.

Symptoms

Since there is no rhyme or reason as to why you may develop such an infection it is best that you know how to identify it if you are one of the unfortunate ones.  Your nail will exhibit a small yellow or red dot at its tip.  This will be followed by the change of the appearance of the nail.  It will thicken with the deposit of the fungus debris under it.  It will change in shape, become opaque and dull in color, and have a flakey and ragged appearance.

To Prevent a Fungus Infection, Do Your Own Manicure

Introduction

One definition of a well-groomed “lovely” lady is beautiful well cared for hands.  They are sometimes the first thing that is noticed about a woman when she is introduced and extends her hand for a hand shake.  Or perhaps she has met a very romantic man who is about to kiss her hand. The last thing she wants is to present a hand with a finger adorned with a deformed, unsightly nail the result of a fungus infection.


Causes

It is easy to acquire This type of infection.  Actually our nails harbor fungus on and under them at all times.  It is only when there is a break in the skin that allows that fungus to invade our bodies that it becomes a problem.  The first sign of a fungus infection will be a small red or yellow dot at the tip of the nail.  This will be followed by the disfigurement of the nail making it thick, brittle and dull.  There may be some pain and a slight foul odor.  You should seek treatment immediately as this slight infection can lead to other problems.  One of them is a cellulites (secondary bacterial infection of the finger) infection which is a very serious one. Many do not realize that a fungus infection can be the catalysis that attracts more serious ones. And please do not think you can camouflage a damaged nail with nails polish.  First it won’t do anything but make the nail more apparently deformed and ugly.  The polish will not cover nicely or evenly and worse yet it will make the fungus infection worse.

Treatment

There are now good over the counter medications for treating a nail fungus infection. But prevention is always the best treatment.  One of the favorite things a lady indulges in is having a manicure.  And she should pick that manicurist with great care.  A manicure, poorly done, is probably one of the greatest reasons for the recent explosion of finger fungus infections.  But manicures are not that difficult to do yourself at home.  And when you consider the savings in time and money besides avoiding an infection it makes doing your own a win-win situation.

A Good Manicure

Clean hands – Prep your nails carefully, removing old polish.

File – When completely dry, file your nails, from corner to center but only in one direction at a time and not in a sawing type motion. There are several different shapes, square and moon shape are just two of them.

Soak your hands in warm water with a gentle soap.  Follow with an application of hand cream and gloves to help soften your skin.

Cuticles – should be dried carefully and pushed back into shape with an orange stick.  Do not ever cut them doing so will present a portal for a fungus.

Clean under nail – completely with an orange stick and apply a hand moisturizer.

Prep and Polish – Before applying polish nails should be dry and free of any lotion or oil.  To completely cover nails in a uniform manner apply polish in three strokes.  If you wish complete with a second coat of polish and applying a top coat is advised to extend the length of your manicure.

Nail Fungus Spread and How to Treat It

Overview

Finger nails are one of the first things a person sees when you extend your hand for a hand shake.  It can be an indication of a person’s overall health and how they feel about themselves.  Actually this holds true for any gentleman in a high powered business situation.  The appearance of a nail infection can present someone in a negative light. Nail fungus is contagious to yourself and others and can be cured.

Causes

Fungus as with other types of contagions live microscopically on our skin without any thought of ours.  Routine cleaning of the nail and skin surfaces is not successful when it comes to this type of infection.  Fungus is always around the nail.  As with any other infection prevention is the best form of treatment.  Anyone’s immune system under attack, that is not up to par, is more likely to become ill.  Therefore it is the best policy to do whatever is necessary to achieve this end.  There are those who feel that the established theory, that it is possible to acquire such a infection with bare feet in public places not true.  Fungus is a contagious infection and easy to acquire.  Why a multitude of people can be exposed to the same thing at the same time and not all be infected with the fungus is a question not able to be answered.  Fungus is found in a multitude of simple areas, such as garden soil and the air.  More research will have to be done to answer the host of questions this presents.

Treatment

As previously stated a good immune system can be your best friend. There are many factors that can put your immune system in jeopardy.  Stress is the number one factor, followed closely by the strain of chronic illness and poor nutrition as a follow up.  Surprisingly even the most obese person can be malnourished.  A good diet, balanced and high in antioxidants, will help prevent this type and any other type of infection.  An adequate intake of vitamin C is essential for warding off disease.  Diet is an important part of prevention as a fungus is difficult to treat and cure.  Medications are available, although they can be successful, treatment may be stretched over a long period of time.

Remedies

There are some home-made folk treatments that some people will swear by and others will say are a myth.  The use of vinegar and water soaks is one.  Another is the application of Vicks VapoRub on the affected nails.

Symptoms

Since there is no rhyme or reason as to why you may develop such an infection it is best that you know how to identify it if you are one of the unfortunate ones.  Your nail will exhibit a small yellow or red dot at its tip.  This will be followed by the change of the appearance of the nail.  It will thicken with the deposit of the fungus debris under it.  It will change in shape, become opaque and dull in color, and have a flakey and ragged appearance.

The Encyclopedia of Fungus Nail Infections

Introduction

There are several words important to know when speaking about nail fungus infections.  The word mycosis is used to define any disease caused by a fungus, no matter what is the site.  The specific term for a fungus nail infection is onychomycosis – pronounced on-i-ko-mi-KO-sis, use it and impress your friends with the “big” words.

Description

Fungus infections of the nail, once acquired are difficult to treat and cure.  They are also gravitate easily to other finger and toe nails. The first sign will be a red or yellow spot that emerges at the tip of the nail.   Quickly there will be other changes. The nail will become thick, brittle and crumble easily.  The color will change and become opaque and dull.  And as the fungus multiplies it will leave debris under the nail, adding to its thickness.  The finger itself will be involved as the fungus progresses, swelling becoming red and painful.  Depending on the type of onychomycosis other changes will also take place.  The nail may separate from the nail bed.  The size and shape of the finger will change or only part of the nail will be affected.

Treatment

There are several types of treatment.  In the last few years many good topical agents have been produced and allowed by the Federal Drug and Food Administration. A fungus infection is a difficult one to cure and so treatment may last for an extended period of time. Many people will say that there is nothing to cure this type of infection.  But if you question them they will admit that they gave up too easily rather than persevering longer with the treatment.  And with the tips given later in this article adhering to the suggestions will also speed recovery.

Prevention and Common Sense Principals

Whether you are trying to prevent an infection or are in the middle of treatment there are some things that can be done to help the problem.  When it comes to the hands prolonged immersion is water breaks down tissue and set up the patient for an infection.  Therefore if this pertains to you the use of rubber gloves is advised.  Nail polish and artificial nails are also a catalyst for some people.  If you visit a manicurist do not be afraid to inquire as to their septic procedures.  Feet are the best place for any infection to grow, especially fungus.  Wearing of cotton and wool socks, rather than synthetic, as the natural fibers will absorb moisture more readily is advised.  Rotation of shoes, putting powder in those shoes is also advised.  Toe nails should be trimmed short and neatly.  And if the party cannot see properly to do this it may best done by a podiatrist.  For older folks some pre-existing conditions will make acquiring a fungus infection easier.  And those pre-existing conditions will make the acquired fungus infection more difficult to treat.  Diabetes and decreased circulation to the feet are both problems that delay the curing of a fungus infection.