Stop Repetitive Toenail Injury
If you have black toenails because of repetitive trauma, these suggestions can help.
- Wear Athletic Shoes with Extra Space for Your Toes
- Use Silicone Toe Caps
- Tie Your Laces So Your Feet Dont Slide Inside Your Shoes
Give your toes enough room so they dont hit with each step. Add a cushion, and experiment with different ways to tie your shoes.
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:
- wash the affected area and dry it thoroughly
- carefully apply the paste to the infected nails
- cover the nails with plasters and leave them for 24 hours
- wash the paste off the next day and scrape away the softened parts of the nail
- repeat this process each day for 2 to 3 weeks
Once no more infected parts of the nail can be removed, ask your pharmacist for antifungal nail paint to prevent re-infection as the nail regrows over the next few months.
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Tips To Prevent Fungal Nail Infections
Making a few simple lifestyle changes can help prevent a fungal infection of the nails. Taking good care of your nails by keeping them well trimmed and clean is a good way to prevent infections.
Also avoid injuring the skin around your nails. If youre going to have damp or wet hands for an extended amount of time, you may want to wear rubber gloves.
Other ways to prevent fungal infections of the nails include:
- washing your hands after touching infected nails
- drying your feet well after showering, especially between your toes
- getting manicures or pedicures from trustworthy salons
- avoiding being barefoot in public places
- reducing your use of artificial nails and nail polish
Products to help you avoid nail fungus
If youre prone to excessive moisture around your fingernails or toenails, consider buying:
Green Fungus Under Toenail
Sometimes a fungus infection could be accompanied by a bacterial infection. This is exactly what a green fungus under toenail means. Therefore, when you notice you have a green spot on your toes it is important that you see podiatrist to determine what whether it is truly a fungal infection or a bacterial kind. A bacterial unlike the fungal infection takes a couple of weeks to heal.
Furthermore, green discoloration on toenails could be a sign of melanoma. This requires treatment as soon as possible before it can spread to other parts of the body. You can acquire green fungus on your toenails from gardening while barefoot, cleaning without proper shoes and getting pedicures from unhygienic nail salons.
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Topical Therapy Is There Anything To Get Rid Of Toe Fungus?
Topical therapies are much safer, but also much less effective and sometimes quite expensive. Popular prescription topicals include Ciclopirox laquer , Carmol® 40 and Keralac® Nail Gel. Dont expect miracles from these medications, but they can help decrease discoloration and thickness, prevent progression and are a great adjunct therapy. Is There Anything To Get Rid Of Toe Fungus?
Over The Counter and Home Remedies
1. Place an anti-fungal powder or spray in the shoes every other day.
2. Make sure you rotate your shoes often and keep them in a cool dry place. Use a shoe dryer in the winter if necessary.
3. Change your insoles frequently, and make sure they dry out between use. Is There Anything To Get Rid Of Toe Fungus?
4. Try using an antiperspirant spray on your feet before your workout, if your feet sweat excessively.
5. Wash your shower mat regularly in hot water, or step out of the shower, onto a towel, which is washed after each use.
6. Bleach out the shower on a weekly basis. Bleach works better than antimicrobial cleaners.
7. Make sure your shoes fit well. Ill-fitting shoes can lead to jamming at the toes. Jamming at the toes leads to microtrauma at the nails and increases the chance for fungal infection.
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When Should I Consult My Doctor About Toenail Fungus
Anyone with toenail fungus can try home remedies or OTC treatments, but some prefer to go right to their healthcare provider for a more aggressive treatment with prescription medication.
People with certain conditions, such as a compromised immune system, diabetes, or circulation problems, should see their doctor for toenail fungus. Anyone with signs of infection, such as pain, redness, or pus around the toenail, should seek medical care. People who have used home remedies or OTC treatments without success should also see their doctor.
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Questions About Infected Nails And Remedies For Nail Fungus:
First, some questions to ponder:
Why do some people get fungal infections under their nails while others appear resistant?
As far as we know, the dermatological community does not have a good answer. We suspect there is an immune component, because people tend to be more susceptible as they age. Presumably, their immune systems are less capable of fighting off the invasion.
Why do some people get quick relief with a particular home remedy and others see no benefit even after several months of diligent application?
Again, there is no good answer. We are constantly surprised why some people respond to one approach but others say it is worthless. Part of the difference may be which specific fungus is causing the infection. They may have differing sensitivities.
Why do dermatologists generally reject home remedies for nail fungus as a waste of money?
We are a bit puzzled by this attitude, though we suspect they may see a lot of patients who report home remedy failures. People who are happy with the results of a home remedy are not likely to go back and mention their success to a doubting doctor. Generally, home remedies are a lot less toxic and expensive than prescription anti-fungal medications.
Is the infection caused by fungal or bacterial pathogens?
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.
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Treatments Is There Anything To Get Rid Of Toe Fungus?
There are a number of treatments for onychomycosis. Unfortunately, many are not very effective. The most aggressive and effective way to treat the fungus is with oral anti-fungal medications. The most common oral anti-fungal medications are Itraconazole and Terbinafine . Both medications are expensive and insurance companies tend to consider onychomycosis a cosmetic problem. If you are diabetic, your insurance company may consider onychomycosis a medical problem, and will cover the treatment. If you are experiencing pain or have developed ingrown toenails as a result, then your insurance company may cover treatment. The medication needs to be taken once daily for 3 months. The effectiveness of the medications ranges from 60 to 80%, with a recurrence rate of about 10-15%. Complete cure rates have been reported as low as 28%. Lamisil® appears to be more effective and has fewer drug interactions than Sporonox®. Is There Anything To Get Rid Of Toe Fungus?
Do Vinegar Soaks Help Toe Fungus
In short, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest vinegar foot soaks can help you to get rid of fungal toenail infections over time and with repeated use.
There are further benefits to a vinegar soak. It could remove dry, cracked or dead skin cells from your feet. Its also thought that giving your feet a vinegar bath could help tackle other fungal infections, like athlete’s foot.
But will vinegar kill toenail fungus? Theres no concrete clinical evidence to suggest that soaking feet in vinegar will definitely work, though some users do report that the treatment can work on mild cases of fungal infections. It is also a low-risk treatment, so it is unlikely to cause you any harm if you do decide to test out this home remedy.
Usually, your doctor will recommend using medication to treat toe fungus rather than relying on a home remedy.
There are two main types of medical treatment that are normally recommended for fungal nail infections: nail paints and tablets.
Amorolfine nail paint is available from our online pharmacy for the topical treatment of fungal toenail infections. The antifungal nail paint works by stopping the growth of fungus that causes infections. It also breaks down the fungi cells and removes the fungus as the nail grows out. Amorolfine is the cheaper generic version of the branded Curanail antifungal treatment. You could also use Loceryl 5% nail lacquer, which is a prescription treatment you apply directly to your infected nail.
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What Causes Fungal Nails And What Are Some Of The Risk Factors
In normal, healthy people, fungal infections of the nails are most commonly caused by fungus that is caught from moist, wet areas. Communal showers, such as those at a gym or swimming pools, are common sources. Going to nail salons that use inadequate sanitization of instruments in addition to living with family members who have fungal nails are also risk factors. Athletes have been proven to be more susceptible to nail fungus. This is presumed to be due to the wearing of tight-fitting, sweaty shoes associated with repetitive trauma to the toenails. Having athletes foot makes it more likely that the fungus will infect your toenails. Repetitive trauma also weakens the nail, which makes the nail more susceptible to fungal infection.
Elderly people and people with certain underlying disease states are also at higher risk. Anything that impairs your immune system can make you prone to getting infected with the fungus. These include conditions such as AIDS, diabetes, cancer, psoriasis, or taking any immunosuppressive medications like steroids.
What Does Green Nail Syndrome Look Like
The most obvious sign of green nail syndrome is that your nail turns green. This green color first appears as a spot. Over time, it comes to affect the whole nail. If you have a green spot on the toe, then this is your issue.
The green color itself is caused by a chemical compound called pyoverdine. This chemical is secreted by the bacteria, and stores iron for later use. The stronger the infection, the more pyoverdine is produced, and the greener your nails become.
The color ranges from a yellow-green, to deep grass green. It isnt uniform, as the nail is typically deformed too. There will be parts of the nail that appear darker, almost black. There will be other lighter parts.
It appears as stripes running from side to side. This is because of intermittent episodes of infection. The infection gets stronger and weaker in waves as the body tries to fight it off.
Green nail syndrome may also co-occur with other nail issues. These include:
- The nail pointing to the side
- The skin around the nail becoming red and swollen
These nail issues all cause injury to your nails. Thats why its common to have a green toenail after injury. Bacterial infection may occur in one nail, or several. It can affect toenails and fingernails.
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When Does Nasty Nail Fungus Require Medical Intervention
Some people have a hard time clipping their nails. A podiatrist can help. There are some color changes that require medical attention. White nails could be a sign of liver or kidney damage. Pale nails may indicate anemia, nutritional problems or even heart failure.
A dark streak or a black spot under a nail requires medical oversight to rule out melanoma. People with diabetes may also need special treatment to avoid complications.
Why Does Vinegar Soak Work
The idea behind taking a vinegar foot soak for toenail fungus is relatively simple: vinegar is acidic, which gives it antifungal and antibacterial properties.
To explain a bit further, vinegar is a diluted form of acetic acid . As a result, it is an antifungal agent meaning it slows down the growth of some types of foot fungus and may kill fungus entirely.
It might also make your body less hospitable to fungus because the acidity affects the pH level of your skin. This makes fungal overgrowth and infection much more unlikely.
Its worth noting though, that there is no scientific evidence that shows vinegar soaks is a reliable method for treating toenail fungus.
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Mayo Clinic Q And A: Treatment For Toenail Fungus Isnt Always Necessary
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am in my late 50s, and a few of my toenails have turned a yellowish color and seem to have thickened. Is this something I should be concerned about? Is there anything I can do to fix this?
ANSWER: What youre likely experiencing is a fungal nail infection. Fungal nail infections are common, especially among older adults. As nail growth slows with age, its easier for fungus to establish in the nail bed. Treatments are available, although they may take some vigilance and are not always necessary.
Toenail fungus usually is caused by a microscopic organism called dermatophyte fungus. It often begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail. But as the infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. These fungal infections are more likely to happen in your toenails than in your fingernails because toenails often are confined in a dark, warm, moist environment, where fungi can thrive. Toes also have less blood flow than fingers, making it harder for your bodys immune system to detect and stop the infection. But it is possible for fingernails to be affected.
The older you are, the more likely you are to get toenailfungus. Thats because as you age, your immune system changes. Inaddition, your nails become more brittle and drier over time, creating morecracks where fungus can live.
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Can You Have Toenail Fungus And Green Nail Syndrome
One issue is that toenail fungus and green nail syndrome can occur at the same time. Its quite likely. Both forms of infection occur because of:
- Nail trauma, either chronic or acute
- Poor foot hygiene, e.g., re-wearing socks or not washing
- Allowing the feet to stay damp or wet
As such, you can catch both at the same time. If this occurs, youll have a thick green toenail. It will also become crumbly in places.
The two infections work together, in a way. Fungal infection breaks down the nail, causing damage. Youre then more likely to get a bacterial infection too. Plus, bacterial infection inhibits the ability of antifungal compounds to reach deep-down fugal spores.
If so, you will have to begin a combined treatment, e.g., antibiotics and an antifungal cream. In severe cases, it may be better to have the nail surgically removed. Your doctor will advise you on a course of treatment.
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What Exactly Is Toenail Fungus
Some people see a little thickening of their toenails and might not think twice about it. Then, suddenly, the nail starts crumbling and you can see a discoloration. Theres usually little discomfort with this issue, which is why it often goes unnoticed and untreated until it is severe. Fortunately, for those who are paying attention, its fairly easy to identify.
If this fungus doesnt get treated, it could spread to other nails or eventually lead to pain and discomfort when you are walking. Some rare cases may go away on their own over time, but its always best to err on the side of caution and consider natural remedies or other treatment options.
Foot Fungus: Causes And Risk Factors
A foot fungus is a fungal infection of the skin, better known as athletes foot, says Sundling. The fungus enters through cracks in the skin. Its known as athletes foot because athletes or anyone who is more active and sweats a lot is more at risk. Kids are also more at risk, because they dont tend to wear different shoes, and changing your shoes is one way to avoid foot fungus.
Foot fungus is very common. It does not mean that someone is dirty or didnt bathe, and if you have a compromised immune system, you may be more susceptible, says Sundling.
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Step : Keeping Your Nails Clean
Part 4.1: Choose the right footwear
- Nails need to breathe: Excess moisture or sweat creates the ideal breeding conditions for fungus. Wear sandals without socks whenever possible. We also suggest using moisture-wicking socks, mesh sneakers or open-toed shoes.
Part 4.2: Rotate your footwear
- Change your socks and Shoes regularly: Rotate your footwear and always wear clean socks. This reduces the opportunity for fungal spores to proliferate and helps to avoid future nail infections.
