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How To Know If You Have Fungus On Your Nails

What Is The Treatment For Fungal Nails

How do you know if you have a fungal nail infection?

Oral antifungal therapy has a high cure rate, depending on the medication. It can take nine to 12 months to see if it has worked or not, because that is how long it takes for the nail to grow out. Even when therapy works, the fungus may come back. Currently, an oral antifungal therapy is considered the best treatment for toenail fungus because of higher cure rates and shorter treatment duration compared to topical therapy.

Prescription oral medications that are effective against nail fungus include the following:

There are several innovative treatments that are still being tested:

  • Laser therapy or uses application of light-activated agents onto the nail followed by shining light of a proper wavelength on the nail.
  • Use of electrical current to help absorption of topical antifungal medications into the nail: This is also called iontophoresis.
  • Use of a special nail lacquer that changes the micro-climate of the nail to make it inhospitable for the fungus to grow: If this works, it may be an inexpensive way to treat this problem in the future.

One way to definitively get rid of toenail fungus is by surgery. Surgical treatment of onychomycosis involves nail removal. However, this often only provides temporary relief, and recurrence is common unless additional antifungal medication is simultaneously used. However, surgical removal may be warranted when the affected nail is associated with other factors such as trauma and or infection.

What Is The Outcome For Someone Who Has Nail Fungus

With treatment, many people can get rid of nail fungus. Even when the fungus clears, your nail may look unhealthy until the infected nail grows out. A fingernail grows out in 4 to 6 months and a toenail in 12 to 18 months.

To clear the fungus, its important to:

  • Use the treatment exactly as prescribed

  • Apply the medicine for as long as prescribed

  • Keep all follow-up appointments with your dermatologist

Nail fungus can be stubborn. If you had a severe infection, its possible to clear the infection. A healthy looking nail, however, may be unrealistic, but you can expect the nail to look better and feel more comfortable.

Even with clearing, nail fungus can return. Youll find steps to reduce your risk in Tips: 12 ways to prevent another nail infection.

ImageGetty Images

ReferenceGold LFS and Rosen T. Onychomycosis: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. Dermatology News . March 2016:2-15.

How To Get Rid Of Fingernail Fungus From Acrylic Nails

Nail fungus can be treated through two ways, first the conventional ways such as visiting the doctors and dermatologist , and the second way of treatment is some home remedies. We will share both the prevalent ways to treat nail fungus caused by acrylic nails.

The good way is to go for the Conventional methods which are more reliable than normal home remedies which gonna take months and months to kill the fungus.

However, there are many ways in which, you can get as efficient results as you would get after a medical checkup and prescription from the doctor and that way is to have a good combination of a natural ingredients medicine for fungus and the home remedies and about this, you can check out detailed guide on the methods for the treatment of nail fungus here.

The conventional methods are both cheap and costly, the pills are cheap and also fix fungus within like two months, however, the other treatment i.e. laser, will be costly. But both of these methods will give you very fast results.

Let’s discuss both the conventional methods and the home remedies.

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Doctors Weigh Best Treatments

The best treatment for fungal nail infections is a prescription that your dermatologist can prescribe that you take every day for two-to-three months. The pill is not for everyone, since oral antifungals can interact with other medications and can affect the liver.

Fortunately if you dont want to or cant take a pill, there are topical solutions to treat nail fungus. Although topical medications are desirable because of the low risk of side effects and interaction with other medications, they have much longer treatment regimens. Generally, topical medications have a lower clearance rate compared to oral pills.

Newer topical antifungals including Efinaconazole and Tavaborole have better penetration of the nail plate and so they work better compared to older topical medications, says Dr. Ng. She says the topical medications work best if you only have partial nail involvement.

Lasers are approved by the FDA to temporarily increase the amount of clear nail. However, the cure rates are lower than oral medications and topical solutions.

What Is Fingernail Fungus From Acrylic Nails

Laser Toenail Fungus Removal, Virginia

Over 50% of people suffer from fingernail fungus from acrylic nails, which are notably more common in people with acrylic nails. 68 women who had nail issues after having acrylic nails removed developed acrylic nail fungus after the removal, according to a study by Trusted Source.

An adhesive is used to attach fake nails that go under your skin. It is possible to get moisture trapped between your nails and them if your gloves become loose or are not put on properly. Moisture-loving fungi can colonize the trapped water and grow rapidly.

Nail fungal infections & mold under acrylic nails are generally caused by fungi called dermatophytes, such as Trichophyton rubrum.

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What Is The Most Effective Treatment For Toenail Fungus

The most effective toenail fungus treatment for you will largely depend on your symptoms and situation. Your provider will consider several factors before recommending a treatment plan thats customized to you.

Overall, oral antifungal medications may offer the most treatment potential. Pairing oral drugs with topical antifungal medication may make treatment more effective.

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Who Gets Toenail Fungus

Men are more likely to get it than women. The older you are, the better your chances are, too. People who have diabetes, athlete’s foot, or a weak immune system, who smoke, or whose family members have it are also at a higher risk. If you spend a lot of time in the water or you’ve injured your toenail, your odds for getting toenail fungus go up.

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About Fungal Nail Infection

Many people develop a fungal nail infection at some point in their life. It’s not usually serious, but can be unpleasant and difficult to treat.

The infection develops slowly and causes the nail to become discoloured, thickened and distorted.

Toenails are more frequently affected than the fingernails.

The medical name for a fungal nail infection is onychomycosis.

What Does Melanoma Look Like Under A Fingernail

How to Treat Fungal Infection from Artificial Nails

But since subungual melanoma affects the nail matrix, the signs and symptoms dont look like a typical mole on the skin. Symptoms of this condition include: a light- to dark-brown colored band on the nail thats usually vertical. a dark band on the nail that slowly expands and covers more of the nail.

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Get Hair Health And Science News Delivered Right To Your Inbox

Does anybody actually like dealing with scalp infections? Well, actually we do. Yes, we know scalp fungus causes hair lossâand can be uncomfortable and itchy. But weâve done our scalp infection research and have solutions for you. Not only will we tell you the difference between scalp fungus and plain old dry skin, but weâll also share how and why scalp infections happen. Plus, weâve got scalp fungus treatment options. Hereâs what we know.

Best Ways To Treat A Nail Fungus

Nail fungus can cause thick, discolored nails, and, for some patients, it can even be painful. An Internet search will bring up plenty of ways to treat the condition, but which ones are best? Dermatologist Dr. Christopher Hull discusses what nail fungus actually is, why its so hard to get rid of, and which treatments work best.

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Is Dandruff A Fungus

Dandruff is a common concern for many people. Dandruff itself is not fungus, however, it can form as a result of fungus such as yeast on the scalp. Sickness, stress, and cold weather can also cause dandruff to form or worsen. When you have dandruff, dead skin cells and oils build up on your scalp and cause the skin to itch and flake.

Treat Toe Nail Fungus With Bleach

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How Fungi Infect The Nail

Onchomycosis, or toenail fungal infection, is an invasion by a microscopic organism that thrives in warm, damp environments. Fungal spores are in the air, and they will grow if they land on a receptive surface like your toenail. They feed off the nail tissues, burrowing into the skin under the nail. Over time the nail thickens and may lift off the nail bed as fungal debris accumulates. Once your nail is raised off the nail bed, it won’t reattach, and a new nail won’t grow from that part of the nail bed. However, your nail will continue to grow from the root at the base.

Increased Chances Of Athlete’s Foot

If the nail fungus spreads to the skin on your feet it is called Athlete’s foot. Symptoms include itchy and dry skin between the toes or on your soles, cracking, and peeling of the skin.

People suffering from athletes feet have high chances of developing nail fungus. As the name suggests, athletes are at high risk of contracting the disease. However, it can infect anyone if preventive measures are not taken timely.

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What Can Be Done About Scalp Fungus

To deal with scalp fungus, you can use a topical scalp fungus treatment like shampoo. But if you have a stubborn case of the infection, or you want to get rid of it as fast as possible, you might need to take medication for it. There are also natural home remedies for scalp fungus treatment.

  • Azadirachta Indica leaves can help fight skin irritations, fungus, itching or excessive oil. They come from a tree that grows in India and South Asia. To use the leaves as a remedy, put three handfuls of them in hot water overnight. The next morning, use the water to rinse out your hair. You can also mash the leaves up and turn them into a paste that you apply to your scalp.
  • Apple cider vinegar is a classic remedy for scalp fungus. One good scalp fungus treatment is to mix apple cider vinegar with green tea, lemon juice, and rosemary. Try rinsing your hair with it or spray it onto your scalp and leave it in for 40 minutes before washing out.
  • You can also use Fenugreek seeds, an herb from the Mediterranean, to get rid of fungi. Boil a tablespoon of crushed seeds in a cup of coconut oil for at least five minutes. After it cools, strain it and massage the liquid into your scalp. Let it sit for a few hours and then wash your hair as usual.
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    Treatment Of Nail Fungal Infection At Different Stages

    How to Know If it is Nail Fungus Or Something Else

    Treatment of onychomycosis at the first stage is crucial as the infection hasnt exacerbated yet and therefore is easier to heal. Topical treatments, such as anti-fungal creams and gels or medicated nail polish are the most commonly used at this stage. However, it is ideal to use a topically-applied medication that not only can kill the fungus, but can penetrate the nail as well.

    Most topical treatments dont work because they cant penetrate the nail to get to the fungi. It is therefore recommended for sufferers to use a topical medication that can penetrate the nail and kill the fungus. A solution with 10% undecylenic acid, which can effectively get rid of the infection, and a penetrating agent , is recommended.

    For moderate nail fungus infection, such topical solutions can still work. However, many sufferers use that in conjunction with oral medicines. Many anti-fungal pills in the market can treat fungal nail infection, though it is still suggested to use such medicines along with topical solutions .

    Unfortunately, oral medicines are also more likely to cause side effects to patients. They are also not recommended for the elderly, pregnant women, and those who have other medical conditions or ailments.

    But again, fungi can come back, even without the nail itself. This is why its recommended for patients to use topical anti-fungal ointment to the nail bed and surrounding skin while waiting for the nail to grow back. Otherwise, the fungi will just return.

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    Acrylic Nail Fungus Symptoms

    If you are an acrylic nail lover, it is imperative for you to understand the symptoms of Acrylic nails fungus first. So, that you may rush to the treatment on the slightest symptoms. Otherwise, you may lose the entire nail.

    Below are the commons symptoms that you can note if you get fungus on your nails.

    • Discoloration. Your nail may turn whitish, yellow or green. In severe cases it will become black, if not treated on time.
    • A slight pain around your nail. This is the time when the fungus has started growing under the nail.
    • Redness around your nail.
    • Itchiness that may feel like burning

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    Is It Toenail Fungus Or Something Else

    Odd-looking toenail? It may be a fungal infection, but there’s a good chance that another condition could be to blame.

    If you notice an odd spot on your toenail, you might assume its a fungal infection. However, theres a good chance that its not.

    Spots or discolorations on or under a toenail could be bruises resulting from trauma to the nail, blood blisters, warts, or even subungual melanoma, a type of skin cancer, says Ami Sheth, a doctor of podiatric medicine in Los Gatos, California, and a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association.

    Since nail irregularities can be caused by diseases besides these as well, its best to get it looked at, says Dr. Sheth.

    Richard Goad, a doctor of podiatric medicine at Baylor Scott & White Health in Waco, Texas, concurs. Sometimes the nail will be the first place to show another underlying problem, Dr. Goad says.

    So is it a fungus, a false alarm, or another condition entirely?

    How To Know If You Have Nail Fungus

    How do I know if I have a fungal infection in my toenails ...

    This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support , Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support , Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee in 2006.There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 177,535 times.

    Nail fungus, also known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium, is a common condition that can affect either the finger or toenails, though it is more likely to infect toenails.XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source It often begins as a white or yellow spot under your nail and can cause serious damage to the nail or other infections if left untreated.XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source By identifying the signs and symptoms and treating the condition, you can not only know if you have nail fungus, but also get rid of this potentially unsightly condition.

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    What Is Toenail Fungus

    Toenail fungus is an infection that gets in through cracks in your nail or cuts in your skin. It can make your toenail change color or get thicker. It can also hurt. Because toes are often warm and damp, fungus grows well there. Different kinds of fungi and sometimes yeast affect different parts of the nail. Left untreated, an infection could spread to other toenails, skin, or even your fingernails.

    Take Care Of Your Toes

    Use soap and water to wash your feet, and dry well, including between toes. Trim your toenails — straight across — to keep them shorter than the end of your toe. Make sure the tools you use are clean, too. Wash clippers and files with soap and water, then wipe with rubbing alcohol. You might be tempted to cover up discolored nails with polish, but don’t. Your nail bed can’t “breathe,” which keeps fungus from going away.

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