When Should I Call The Doctor
In rare cases, toenail fungus can cause an infection called cellulitis. Without prompt treatment, cellulitis may pose a serious danger to your health.
You should seek treatment guidance from a trusted healthcare provider if you have:
- Circulation problems.
- Redness, pain or pus near the toenail.
- Weakened immune system.
Fungus On Nail Clippers
Fungal nail infections are the leading cause of nail discoloration, crack, and breakage. It is more common to infect toenails than fingernails.
Even the smallest crack in your nails can allow these germs to enter your nail and destroy it.
How Do You Get Rid Of Fungus On Nail Clippers? The fungus can stick to nail clippers when uncleansed or used by someone who has an occurring nail fungus or onychomycosis. One way to get rid of this germ is to sterilize or disinfect nail clippers. But then again, prevention is better than cure.
As you read below, you will know how to eliminate fungus on your nail clippers. I will also discuss how to prevent fungus buildup.
Make Sure Your Shoes Fit
Make sure that youre wearing shoes that fit appropriately and you have enough room in the toe box of the shoe, both in width and in height, says Dr. McEneaney. I think a lot of time people make sure that the shoe is wide enough but the top of it may narrow out a lot and may cause rubbing and problems.
If you do have fungus, you may want to throw out your shoes or treat them. Discard old shoes or treat them with disinfectants or antifungal powders, says Dr. Mendeszoon.
And keep socks in mind, too. Wear sweat-absorbing socks or change your socks throughout the day, says Dr. Mendeszoon.
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Dangers Of Using Bleach For Toenail Fungus
Bleach may actually cause toenail fungus to worsen and increase the likelihood of a toenail infection.
According to an article in the Asian Journal of Research in Dermatological Science, use of topical bleach can increase the risks for fungal infections because it can damage the skin and nails. This allows opportunistic fungus to come in through the damaged skin or nail and cause an infection.
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What Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider About Toenail Fungus
If you have toenail fungus, you may find it helpful to ask your provider:
- What type of infection do I have?
- Do you recommend I treat it? Why or why not?
- How long will I need treatment?
- What steps can I take to stop it from coming back?
- Should I be aware of any potentially serious complications or treatment side effects?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Toenail fungus is an incredibly common infection that can be difficult to treat. The condition usually isnt painful, but it may make you feel self-conscious about how your foot looks. If it bothers you, talk to your provider about your treatment options. A trained specialist can provide guidance on whats most likely to address your concerns while protecting your overall health.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/17/2020.
References
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Softening And Scraping Away The Nail
As it can take a long time for antifungal medication to work, some people may prefer to use a treatment that involves softening and removing infected parts of nail over a few weeks.
Treatment kits are available from pharmacies that contain a 40% urea paste, plasters and a scraping device. The paste softens the infected parts of the nail, allowing them to be scraped away so they can be gradually replaced with healthy nail.
To use the treatment:
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How To Get Rid Of Thick Fungus Toenails
Venous stasis, or venous stasis dermatitis, is a condition commonly misdiagnosed as cellulitis.
This condition causes swelling, discoloration, and can develop into skin ulcers. It is the result of poor circulation in the lower limbs and typically affects the lower legs and ankles.
Unlike cellulitis, this condition can affect both sides of the body and is not the result of bacterial infection. However, should you develop sores or ulcers as a result of venous stasis, your risk of a skin infection will increase.
Reasons For Yellow Toenail Fungus
Also known as onychomycosis, this is one of the most common causes of yellow toenails. Typically, this will appear as a small white or yellow spot under the nail.
Though some white spots can simply be calcium deposits, its good practice to keep an eye on said spots to be sure they dont worsen.
If they do prove to be onychomycosis, they can be brought about by a variety of factors:
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Foot Fungus Prevention Tips
Of course, bad habits that lead to foot fungal infections should be avoided. Decrease your chances of getting infected by following the tips below:
Wash your hands and feet regularly. Keep your nails short and dry.
Hygiene is the main emphasis here. Wash your hands and feet with soap and rinse thoroughly, including between the toes. Trim and file your nails.
Wear socks that absorb sweat.
Socks made from fabrics like wool and nylon are effective at wicking away moisture. Change your socks often if you have sweaty feet.
Get smart shoes.
Choose shoes that reduce humidity such as open-toe footwear. If possible, avoid wearing old shoes that harbor fungi and cause infections. Treat your footwear with disinfecting antifungal powders or sprays. Avoid tight shoes make sure your toes can wiggle around.
Do not walk barefoot in public areas.
Wear sandals or shoes around pools, showers, and locker rooms.
Choose a reputable nail salon.
Although it may seem expensive, dont forget that cheap is expensive. Make sure that the place where you get your pedicures sterilize their instruments. If possible, bring your tools and disinfect them. Also avoid artificial nails, because they trap unwanted moisture and cause infections.
Protect your nails and feet from trauma.
Trauma to your feet and toenails can provide an opening for fungi to enter. Be careful not to bump into things to avoid injuries to your feet.
Strengthen your immune system.
Watch for warning signs.
How To Get Rid Of Yellow Toenails:
So the question becomes , How to get rid of yellow toenails?
The solution isnt a one and done deal, but rather a series of practices to take care of your feet in general, as we should all do:
- Try to avoid wearing closed-toe shoes without socks. This only promotes excess sweat for your feet with nothing to absorb the moisture. Remember what we said about molds favorite place to grow: dark, moist, and warm.
- If you are a heavy sweater, be sure to wear fresh socks every day. Its also not a bad practice to change your socks throughout the day if the level of sweatiness truly calls for it.
- Toss out old shoes, or treat them with disinfectant or fungal spray.
- Take a break from nail polish, especially those with darker hues as they tend to stain the nail faster.
- Cover your feet when walking in communal areas like pools, showers, spas and the like. With high foot traffic, the foot fungus game is sure to be strong in areas like this.
- Properly dry your feet when exiting the shower or other water sources. This is something most people dont do, but cleaning in between those little toes is especially important in removing all excess moisture from your feet.
- Trim your nails regularly. Allowing them to grow too long invites a heightened possibility of cracked nails which can lead to yellow toenail fungus. Be sure to stick to your emery board as well!
This video gives more details on how to remedy yellow toenails.
Have you experienced yellow toenails?
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Acrylic Nail Fungus Home Remedies
The first step after noticing an infection is to have the acrylic nail removed and to wash your fingernail with soap and water. Avoid putting on a new nail until the infection clears.
Anecdotally, some people claim the following home remedies have helped them clear their infection:
- Vinegar. Vinegar contains acid that can inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria. Try soaking your finger in a 2:1 ratio of warm water to vinegar.
- Vicks VapoRub. An older 2011 study found Vicks VapoRub seemed to have a positive clinical effect on killing toenail fungi. You can try applying a small amount to your finger once a day.
- Tea tree oil. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health , one small study found evidence that tea tree oil may help treat nail fungus, but more research is needed. Try applying oil to your nail twice per day.
- Oregano oil. The chemical thymol found in oregano oil may have antifungal properties. Try applying oregano oil to your nail twice per day with a cotton swab.
- Listerine mouthwash. Listerine contains ingredients that have antifungal properties. Some people claim soaking your finger in original Listerine for 30 minutes a day may help clear the infection.
Tea Tree Essential Oils:
One of the best home remedies to get rid of thick toenails could be tea tree essential oils. This is a natural disinfectant possessing anti-bacterial and fungicidal properties, that is required for the treatments of toenails fungus. Tea tree oil can be mixed with orange oil and grape seed or olive oil and then by using cotton balls, you can press it firmly on the affected toenail and allow it to dry naturally. You can also alternatively mix the tea tree essential oil with water and soak your feet in this mixture for some times. You must do this at least twice a day to see best results.
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What Causes Thick Toenails How To Treat Them
Changes in our toenails can often go unnoticed or neglected. We might see them as signs of aging and let nature do its job. However, significant changes in your toenail can be alarming and unpleasant.
Your toenail may look abnormally thick, have a yellowish discoloration, redness, or swelling around the affected area. Thick toenails are your body whispering that something is not right.
Several causes result in developing thick toenails. The main cause is onychomycosis or fungal infection of the nails caused by dermatophytes . Physical trauma, Psoriasis,Lichen planus and diabetes may also cause thick nails to develop.
Traditionally, oral antifungal treatments were prescribed. However, due to various side effects of these drugs, topical treatments, and laser treatments have also proven to be effective treatments. Complete treatment of nail fungal infections may take several months hence it is advisable to get effective diagnosis and treatments at an early stage.
Toenail Fungus Home Care
Sometimes itâs possible to treat your toenail fungus at home. You can try:
- Over the counter antifungal creams or ointments. File or cut off any white markings on your nails. Soak your nails in water and dry off before you put on the medicated cream.
- Special nail care. If you keep your nails trimmed, it can reduce the pressure and pain you feel. You can also thin your nail bed by filing it down. This can help antifungal creams get to the problem easier.
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How To Avoid Spreading Nail Fungus
Fungal toenails are not as contagious as flu or cold, but it is transmitted from person to person using things.
It is critical not to share things with your friends or even with your family.
- Antifungal powders or spray. Use these antifungals to your shoes regardless if you have the infection or not.
- No sharing of clothes. Fungi thrive in damp clothing. Whether you have fungi or not, do not share clothes with other people.
- Do not reuse towels. Microbes cling to fabric and transfer to other nails or other parts of your skin with or without an open wound.
- Disinfect bathroom after every use. Aside from clothing, fungi can also stick on hard surfaces. For extra safety, use shower shoes.
These steps can help protect you or the people around you from fungi transmission.
Practicing overall hygiene is the best way to avoid and prevent all kinds of infections.
Treatments For Yellow Toenails
In most cases, yellow toenails are treatable. There are some medications and home remedies that might help cure yellow toenails or help lighten the yellow color. What treatment your doctor recommends will depend on whats causing the yellow nails.
For example, if your yellow toenails are being caused by a fungal infection, youll need antifungal medication to treat it. One of the most common prescription antifungal medications is ciclopirox 8 percent solution, which is applied to the nails like nail polish.
Other medications that can help cure yellow toenails include applying vitamin E, zinc, and a topical corticosteroid with Vitamin D-3.
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Side Effects Of Toenail Fungus Medication
One of the many benefits of using a homeopathic remedy is that there are little to no adverse side effects. Topical treatments often prescribed to treat toenail fungus can potentially burn or blister the skin. Oral medications for treating onychomycosis can cause liver or gastrointestinal damage. Be sure to read your medications list of potential side effects. Consult your pharmacist, physician, or specialist if you are concerned about side effects of prescription drugs.
How Do Dermatologists Diagnose Nail Fungus
To find out if a patient has nail fungus, a dermatologist examines your nails and nearby skin. Its important to check the skin because the fungus can spread. You may already have a skin infection caused by fungus like athletes foot.
To get rid of the infection, you will need to treat all infected areas.
Before giving you the diagnosis, your dermatologist may also take some samples. Collecting a bit of debris from beneath a nail, trimming off part your nail, or scraping off a bit of skin can be very helpful. In a lab, these samples can be examined under a microscope to find out whats causing the problem.
Are you hiding an infected nail with nail polish?
Be sure to ask your dermatologist if you can wear nail polish while treating nail fungus.
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Fingernail Fungus Pictures: What Does Fingernail Fungus Look Like
When fungi attack the hands, nail fungus usually forms on the thumb first. However, all other fingers can also be affected.
The symptoms are the same as with toenail fungus.
First, the affected nail loses its shine and becomes dull. After that, the nail will be discolored in white, yellow, or brown.
1st phase: loss of gloss
2nd phase: discoloration
Price Disclaimer
Anyone who suffers from fingernail fungus should keep their nails as short as possible. The diseased part of the nail should be cut off as best you can with nail scissors.
On this page, you will find more information about the treatment of nail fungus:
Anyone who suffers from a pronounced nail fungus on their fingers should consult a doctor.
If more than two nails of the fingers are affected, or more than half of the nail plate is infected, a doctor must treat the disease.
Nail Anatomy And Onychomycosis Infection
Figure 1 shows the composition of the nail, including the nail plate , nail bed and nail matrix.
Figure 1: Nail anatomy and physiology
The nail plate and nail bed are joined by layers of hard, translucent, keratinised cells. The nail bed and nail matrix are vascular components of the nail, with nail cells located within the nail matrix where the nail plate is formed. The thickness of the nail plate determines the length of the matrix
- Apply cosmetic nail varnishes or artificial nails
- Walk without footwear in public areas
- Cut nails too short.
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Antifungal Soap With Tea Tree Oil
Look for an antifungal soap that has tea tree oil, therapeutic grade essential oils, and skin healing botanicals.
A good soap with tea tree oil and other essential oils will help wash away harmful fungi, bacteria, and microbes from the skins surface.It will also protect against athletes foot, jock itch, nail fungus, tinea versicolor, ringworm, body odor, and other skin irritations.
Can Home Remedies Help With Fingernail Fungus
As with nail fungus on the feet, home remedies are often used for fingernail fungus.
In addition to baking powder, garlic, or vinegar, tea tree oil, and lavender oil are also very popular. They are supposed to help against nail fungus and destroy it.
I wrote you a detailed report on the various home remedies for nail fungus.
There you will find all information on the topic.
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Treating Fungal Nail Infection
Treatment may not be necessary in mild cases of fungal nail infection. For more severe or troublesome cases, antifungal medication may be recommended.
A fungal nail infection is unlikely to get better without treatment, but if you’re not bothered by it you might decide it’s not worth treating because treatment can take a long time, may cause side effects, and isn’t always effective.
Whether or not you decide to have treatment, you should still follow the self-help advice below to help stop the condition getting worse or spreading to others.
