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Here we will discuss nail fungal infections also known as paranoychia and onychomycosis in fingernails, and in toe nails. This very embarrassing fungal infection can be stopped with proper treatment and hygienic care. I will deliver to you the most successful remedies used to treat this ugly and embarrassing infection in the paragraphs to follow so lets get started.
So what exactly is a fungal infection?
Fungal infections are very common on both fingernail and toenails. It is a living organism that thrives in dark, damp environments such as under and around nails. Toes are more likely to be affected by fungus since it is attracted to a dark and damp environment which is more common on the foot than on the hand.
Toenail fungus also known as onychomycosis is caused by a group of fungus called dermatophytes. These fungus are harmful because as they grow they feed on the keratin that makes up the surface of the toe nail. The two toes that are more likely to be affected are the big toe and the little toe. The big toe and the little toe are in fact the most susceptible to paronychia, which is an infection of the soft tissue around the nail. Toenail fungus causes dis-figuration and discoloration of the nails. It is a contagious disease and some times it may be hereditary. Paronychia and onycholysis are common toenail problems and may require medical assistance if they have been neglected.
How can you know if you have a fungal infection?
Symptoms of toenail fungus are quite obvious, the affected nail will get yellow or brown in colour, it may become so thick and overgrown that it may be painful to wear shoes. Foul-smelling debris may get accumulated under the nail, the signs of toenail fungus are actually not hard to recognize as the foul odor emanating from the toenails is something that cannot be ignored, the nail may crumble and eventually fall off. Toenail discoloration is not uncommon either. Streaks or spots can be seen down the side of the nails of the affected person, Home remedies for toenail fungus get rid of the fungus causing the infection, without damaging the toenail.
Ok so what causes this type of infection in the first place?
A lack of personal hygiene can be another major contributing factor, as wearing socks and shoes for prolonged periods creates the perfect environment for fungal growth – a moist and warm habitat. Sharing footwear and other personal items also poses a significant risk. There are various factors that could contribute to or aggravate the condition and these include imbalances in the pH levels, a lack of personal hygiene – sharing footwear, walking bare footed in public pools, baths or gyms, not drying off the feet thoroughly after bathing or exercise, and decreased immunity. Staying in sweaty shoes and socks for prolonged periods or failing to change your socks frequently enough also increases the risk of a toenail fungus infection as fungi are known to thrive in moist and warm conditions
OK I have the infection what do I do?
There are a number of natural home remedies that will treat mild to moderate cases of toe nail fungal infections.
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Tea tree oil mixed with olive oil has been used to successfully rid some people of their fungal nail infections. Tea tree oil is a potent natural antiseptic and fungicide that will help fight your fungus. Apply undiluted tea tree oil with olive oil to the affected toe nail. Alternatively you can put few drops of tea tree oil on toenails and rub it thoroughly every day. Onychomycosis treatment with tea tree oil is often recommended for mild to moderate cases of Onychomycosis. It is recommended that you mix equal quantities of olive oil, thyme oil, and tea tree oil and apply this blend of oil to the affected nail. Allow it to remain on for 10 -15 minutes and then use a toothbrush to gently scrub the affected nail. This ensures that the oil covers the nail completely and also gets under the nails. Scrubbing the affected nail gently also helps to slough off the uppermost layer of the nail which generally contains most of the fungus. In order to get rid of toenail fungus completely, you will need to continue using tea tree oil for a few weeks after the infection has cleared. This is because there may still be remnants of the fungus which may be embedded deep within the nail or the nail bed. In order to make a definite diagnosis of Onychomycosis, the doctor or podiatrist may recommend a potassium hydroxide smear test. The doctor may also suggest creams containing terbinafine if the infection is severe.
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Listerine mouth wash combined with either lemon juice or vinegar has also been shown to be an effective treatment for nail fungus. Soak your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toe nails looking healthy. Mouthwash contains several compounds and alcohols like salicylate thymol and euchalyptol which combine to form a strong toenail fungus treatment. Toenail fungus home remedies generally require a mixture of mouthwash and a strong natural acid like apple cider vinegar or undiluted lemon juice. This is done to increase the effectiveness of the treatment as acid retards the growth of fungus and prevents it from spreading. You can pour a sufficient amount of this mouthwash and an equal amount of vinegar into a tub and soak your feet in it for 20 minutes or so. This needs to be done at least once a day and is an effective home remedy for toenail fungus. However, large amounts of vinegar and mouthwash are necessary and so you can just mix small amounts of the liquid and paint your nails with it. If the infection has already spread, you can soak a thick wad of cotton in this liquid and place it over the affected toe. You should then wrap it up with a small bandage to keep the cotton wad in place. Allow this to remain on for about 45 minutes and then scrub your toe gently with a small amount of the solution. You would need to do this on a daily basis to see long lasting results. In most cases, it takes about a week to experience a noticeable improvement and with continued usage, your nails will soon be healthy and free of infection. When you treat toenail fungus, it is important to keep in mind that after any and all toenail fungus treatments, it is essential that the affected toe is dried thoroughly as excessive moisture would cause the infection to spread. This is a very effective paronychia treatment as it helps to prevent the formation of pus which is very common with this type of nail infection.
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A third remedy may be to use warm water and apple cider vinegar foot bath to alleviate the infection of your nails. Soak your toenails for 15 – 20 minutes in basin full of warm water and natural apple cider vinegar mixed in equal proportion. When done, dry your toenails thoroughly. Use a hair dryer on warm setting to absorb all the moisture in and around the toes. Apple cider vinegar is a mild acid and prevents toenail fungus from spreading. It is very effective as a complementary treatment but it may not be as effective as the main method of treatment. Paronychia often causes scaling and the fungus then thrives under the layers of dead skin. Exfoliation is therefore an extremely important aspect of Paronychia treatment. When exfoliating the affected area, make sure that you do not apply excessive pressure as this would result in abrasions and pain. You can make your own anti-fungal exfoliating scrub by mixing coarsely ground rice flour with a few spoons of apple cider vinegar. Apply this paste over the affected nail and the surrounding area and then gently rub it into the nail and skin. You can use a cotton swab to ensure that your entire nail is well scrubbed. If your skin is cut or sore, avoid massaging your skin and instead concentrate only on your toenail. This exfoliating scrub will help to get rid of dead skin and nail cells and will also help to keep your skin soft and prevent cracking. You can rinse your feet well and then dry them with a soft towel. Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and olive oil and massage this into your feet. The olive oil will help to soften your skin while the lemon juice will help to control the fungal infection.
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Diet also plays a key factor in ridding yourself of this unsightly menace. People suffering from toe nail fungus should include more probiotics – good bacteria, in their diet. This will help your body to get rid of the fungus. Yogurt and kefir are good sources of probiotics. Reduce intake of refined carbs like sugar, dairy products and vinegar. Olive leaf extract is an excellent internal anti-fungal agent. The consumption of a balanced and healthy diet should be emphasized above all. Since toenail fungus doesn’t really have any specific dietary causes, your diet doesn’t really offer a toenail fungus cure, but it can significantly boost the effectiveness of treatment for toenail fungus, as it strengthens your immunity and minimizes susceptibility to infection.
To sum it all up:
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Wash your feet after visiting public place like the pool or gymnasium. The fungus thrives in warm moist areas like spas, swimming pools, showers or locker rooms. If you step on a warm puddle or floor, you can pick up the infection. After using such public places, it is ideal to wash your feet thoroughly and dry them well. Preventive treatment is the most essential safeguard against toenail fungus as a toenail fungus remedy can take many weeks, or even months, to show results. Do keep in mind that in case of infection prompt treatment is essential. Treating toenail fungus infections carelessly will only result in an infection that is a lot more persistent and requiring lengthier treatment and stronger toenail fungus medications.
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Wear cotton socks. Wear cotton socks to absorb moisture from the feet that happens from sweating. Our feet tend to get moist and sweaty due to excessive perspiration when you wear closed footwear for extended periods. If you don’t have the option of wearing open footwear or of airing out your feet periodically, then make it a point to wear cotton socks at the very least, as they absorb most of the moisture.
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Dry your feet. If your socks are damp, take them off and dry your feet before wearing a fresh pair of dry socks.
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Sharing linen is a no-no. Avoid sharing towels, washcloths, shoes or any other personal items of those people who have already contracted this disease. This is a matter of personal hygiene, and failing to follow such basic self care practices drastically increases exposure to onychomycosis infections.
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