Nail Tools Shopping List
The golden rule of giving yourself a pedicure with foot fungus: throw it away when you can. Prioritize cheap but effective nail tools that you can discard after one use. High grade rubbing alcohol is a must for disinfecting your non-disposable tools. Add healing items to your foot soaks and dont forget to moisturize!
This shopping list is a good place to begin:
How To Avoid Getting Toenail Fungus From Pedicures
Everyone needs a little indulgent pedicure now and then. But if youre worried about catching a fungal infection from getting a pedicure, you might step on the side of caution and avoid them altogether. The good news is you dont need to steer clear of pedicure completely. Just follow these precautions when youre having one done, and you should be just fine.
Everyone needs a little indulgent pedicure now and then. But if youre worried about catching a fungal infection from getting a pedicure, you might step on the side of caution and avoid them altogether. The good news is you dont need to steer clear of pedicure completely. Just follow these precautions when youre having one done, and you should be just fine.
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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Best Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus
A variety of treatment options for toenail fungus are available, including drug-free alternatives, over-the-counter medicine, prescription drugs, laser treatment, or even surgical removal for those severe cases. Many people would rather start with items they have around the house before purchasing medication or visiting their doctors office. These treatments are most effective in mild fungal cases.
Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes when it comes to treating nail fungus. This is because a new toenail must grow to replace the old, damaged toenail. This can take up to 18 months to regrow the toenail. This time frame varies on how fast or slow your toenails grow and how severe the fungal infection is. Many home remedies quickly improve the appearance of the nail, but the actual fungus is not gone until the new, healthy nail has replaced the old, damaged one.
Try some of these effective home remedies for toenail fungus:
What Causes Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus can arise from numerous causes, some of which are related to injury and illness and others due to a fungal infection. Your body already has fungus it is exposed to. But in certain circumstances, like the presence of a moist and warm environment, there is an overgrowth of fungi beneath the nail or on it. Fungi responsible for problems like ringworm, athletes foot or jock itch can also cause toenail fungus. Your toenails are more likely to develop such problems than your fingernails because the closed shoes and socks you wear create the exact moist and warm environment that fungi love!
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How Is Toenail Fungus Treated
Toenail fungus is notoriously tricky to treat. You may need to treat the condition for several months to get rid of the fungus. Still, toenail fungus often comes back.
A dermatologist or podiatrist can explain your treatment options. If you have a mild case that doesnt bother you, your provider may recommend no treatment.
Toenail fungus treatment options include:
- Oral antifungal medication: You take prescribed medication, such terbinafine , itraconazole and fluconazole , to treat the fungi. You will need to take this medication every day for several months . Your provider may use blood tests to check for potential medication side effects. These medications can affect the liver and interact with other medications, so oral antifungals are not for everyone.
- Topical medication: You regularly apply a medication right on the nail. The medication treats the fungi over time. Topical medications are most effective when paired with oral medications.
- Laser treatments: Your provider directs a high-tech laser beam and special lights at the toenail to treat the fungus. Lasers are FDA approved for temporary increase of clear nail in nail fungus but is not a cure. Cure rates for laser treatment are lower than oral and topical mediations so they are not typically used as first-line treatments for nail fungus.
How To Give Yourself A Pedicure With Toenail Fungus
You need to see your doctor first to confirm that you have toenail fungus before doing pedi because the are infections that look the same as fungus and are not. For those who are sure that they have fungal toenails you will need pedicure tools and anti-fungal polish to pamper yourself. It is important to keep in mind that only antifungal polish will help you to keep fungal infections at bay.
Use the equipment to cut, file and trim your nails and be extra careful when dealing with the cuticle to avoid cutting it badly and causing injury to yourself and this may be an entry for more fungus to enter your body. The next step is applying polish on your nails to make them look beautiful, hide toenail fungus instantly and kill fungus at the same time. This type of polish takes longer than the usual polish and you will have to use nails polish remover after a certain period
and you will notice improved nails appearances due to discoloration and fungus fading off. If you have skin fungal infections you need to apply fungal medicine on your feet every time after you wake up and before going to bed to get rid of it quickly. Severe toenail fungus might cause skin infections like athletes foot, jock itch, calluses and other skin problems that you need to deal with separately using this topical medication.
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Can You Put Acrylic Nails On Nails With Fungus
It is not advised to put acrylics on nails with fungus. This is because the nail beds are naturally weaker and they cannot sufficiently support and hold the extensions.
Additionally, wearing acrylics enables too much moisture to collect underneath, exacerbating the problem and worsening the infection.
In some cases, permanent or long-term damage can be caused.
Are Oral Medications For Nail Fungus Toxic
The newer drugs are unlikely to cause any liver problems in patients without known liver disease. Blood tests are not needed for once-weekly treatment with fluconazole however, people taking longer courses often have their liver function tested before starting the medicine and then retested during the course of treatment. It is important to notify the doctor of all side effects while on the medication. You should tell your doctor of all current medications to prevent potential serious drug interactions.
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Nail Salon Fungus: How Can You Avoid It
There are a few methods available to you if you wish to prevent the fungus from resurfacing. Toenail fungus is difficult to remove.
Keeping nail fungus at bay at home can be relatively easy, but visiting a nail salon can be much more challenging since youre not likely aware of how clean the nail stations are. You may be referred to a podiatrist by your nail tech if they feel the need for this type of treatment. Your nail technician might even have some recommendations for you.
A Closer Look At The Troublesome Fungus
Toenail fungus is one of the main reasons people come to her office, and Vlahovic has studied the condition for years. Viewed through a microscope, her enemy appears rather meek. It looks like thin straws with little compartments in it but its part of an aggressive fungus family. The fungus that affects the foot in general, they are called dermatophytes. They love hair, nails and skin, so actually the same organisms that cause athletes foot can cause nail fungus.
If it gets into the nail bed, the fungus eats and digests the keratin in the nail, and that causes discoloration and thickening of the nail. Its a cosmetic condition that can become painful, but even if its not, Vlahovic argues that it is an infection that should be treated.
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Drs Remedy Base Coat And Glaze Nail Polish
Applying glaze is the last step to give that glossy look to the nails, similarly, applying base can also secure the nails from extra damage. The Drs remedy two in one base coat will be an inexpensive nail accessory.
How is it?
This one base coat is a recommended one by the doctors, so it is definitely worth the try. It is not your ordinary nail base or glaze. It will strengthen your nails because it has the garlic bulb extract, and wheat protein.
Moreover, it has tea tree oil which will cure your toenail fungus if there is any, or make your toenail healthy.
Pros
How Is A Nail Fungus Prevented
To avoid getting a toenail fungus or possibly another form of fungus on the foot you should try to follow a few simple things:
- Avoid going to cheap and unsanitary nail salons
- Acrylic nails and gel nails feed fungus
- Wear natural cotton socks
If you have a nail fungus, dry your feet with a separate towel and only use it once to avoid spreading, .
- Do not share towels, socks or shoes.
- Use paper towel or toilet paper to dry affected areas
- Wear breathable shoes
- Do not use nail polish until the fungus is gone use tea tree oil instead.
- File nail very thin so that a local treatment can be applied to the area effectively.
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Use A Toenail Fungus Treatment That Works
Avoiding the source of fungus is just one part of treating unsightly toenail fungus. Its not something that goes away on its own, and the quicker you begin an effective treatment program, the quicker you will begin seeing clearing.
Dr. Canuso Healthy Nail System is guaranteed to clear toenail fungus, or your money back. The proprietary two-step system works by treating the source of fungus with a fast-acting anti-fungal ingredients and delivery method that Dr. Canuso has developed during her career as an award-winning podiatric surgeon.
Toenails begin growing in clear, healthy and strong after only a few weeks. Take control of your toenail fungus this year with a commitment to healthy pedicure and shoe habits, and help from Dr. Canuso Skincare for Feet. Order your Healthy Nail System now and say goodbye to toenail fungus for good!
Will Salons Do My Nails If I Have Nail Fungus
Firstly, its important to be sure that you do have toenail fungus. Some people who regularly paint their nails develop weak and yellow toenails. This happens because the strong chemicals in the nail polish dehydrate and discolor the nail.
If this is the case, you shouldnt be too embarrassed to get a pedicure. Most nail salons would not refuse to work with you and would even give you advice on how to prevent discoloration in the future.
If your yellow toenails have a strong smell, are crumbling and brittle, or you have sore toes this is a sign you do have nail fungus. If youre not sure whether you have fungus or not, its best to seek advice from a podiatrist who can diagnose onychomycosis.
If you do have a fungal toenail infection, its best to avoid standard nail salons until your infection has cleared up. As weve discussed, it would be hard for the salon to protect the health of other customers. Not only that, standard salon treatments can worsen a fungal nail infection causing it to spread to other nails.
If your nail technician suspects a fungal nail infection, they will usually suggest terminating the treatment and will refer you to a doctor.
Not all polishes were created the same. There are specialist antifungal polishes available, such as Dr.s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish. Theyre not an alternative to a treatment, but they can help to kill fungus that gets on your nails.
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How To Treat Nail Fungus Naturally
Science Based Amy Myers, MD
Amy Myers, M.D. is a functional medicine physician, trained and certified by The Institute of Functional Medicine. Dr. Myers earned her Doctor of Medicine at the LSU Health Science Center, and completed her Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Dr. Myers retired from her functional medicine clinic, Austin UltraHealth, where she served thousands of patients, to empower those who were failed by conventional medicine. Shes a 2x New York Times bestselling author, and the founder and CEO of the health & lifestyle e-commerce brand, Amy Myers MD®.
Do you deal with pesky and persistent nail fungus? Have you tried everything in your health arsenalfrom prescription antifungals to expensive creams and lotions to nail polishand still had no luck in eliminating the fungal infection? If so, you are not alone.
Treating Toenail Fungus Medically
How a toenail fungal infection is treated may depend on its severity.
In white superficial onychomycosis, for example, the white patches of fungus that form on the nails can sometimes simply be filed off and an over-the-counter antifungal topical medication can be applied to the nail to kill the fungus.
For infections affecting deeper layers of the nail, over-the-counter topical medications often don’t penetrate the nail deeply enough to kill all of the fungus and prevent the infection from recurring. Repeated applications of the medication or a prescription-strength drug may be necessary.
The symptoms of more severe infections include thickened, discolored toenails that may eventually become painful. In these situations, you should see a podiatrist who can devise a treatment plan that may include these actions:
Debridement The thickened portions of the nail can be debrided, or removed, to reduce pain and allow a topical treatment to penetrate more effectively.
Topical Medication Medications that are applied like nail polish or hand cream are sometimes used to treat nail infections. However, topical medication often fails because it doesn’t move deeply enough into the nail to reach the fungus or users forget to apply it daily for almost a year, as is required.
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Toenail Fungus Is A Common Problem
Its estimated that 10% of the population deals with stubborn toenail fungus.1
Not surprisingly, conventional medicines answer to this widespread problem is to prescribe antifungal pills that are often ineffective and come with serious side effects, ranging from rashes and GI issues to potential liver damage.2
However, as with all skin issues, I find that toenail fungus is typically an outward manifestation of an underlying health issue inside of your body.
After working with thousands of patients in my clinic, Ive seen time and again that relentless skin issuesincluding toenail fungus, eczema, dandruff, psoriasis, hives, athletes foot and ringwormare most often caused by Candida overgrowth.3Candida is a type of yeast that naturally lives in your body. However, when there is an overabundance of Candida, it disturbs a healthy gut balance.
So while you may be doing all you can to control your toenail fungus superficially, the key to eliminating the issue for good is to address the underlying cause of the infection.
Lets discuss how an infection in your gut can lead to nail fungus. Then, well cover the natural nail fungus treatments you can take to rid yourself of nail fungus for good.
Can Salon Pedicures Cause Toenail Infections
In 2000, 102 customers contracted mycobacteria fortuitum from a nail salon in California. According to the CDC, some of these women developed life-changing scars on their legs and ankles.
In a separate case, Jessica Mears picked up mycobacteria fortuitum from a pedicure she received at a salon in 2004. As a result of her weakened immune system, she was unable to recover from the infection entirely and died two years later. In 2006, her mother filed a lawsuit against the salon, claiming their unsanitary practices had contributed towards her daughters death.
In 2002, the department of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine randomly inspected five nail salons in Texas. They detected the presence of candida and Rhizopus arrhizus in four out of five of the salons. Candida can lead to some pretty unpleasant foot infections, such as athletes foot and onychomycosis .
If youre someone that likes to look after your nails, this probably sounds very worrying. The good news is that these incidents have prompted many businesses to improve their standards of cleanliness. Nonetheless, the onus is still on you to choose your salon wisely.
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Preventing Toenail Fungus From Spreading
While you can’t avoid contact with the microscopic organisms that cause toenail fungus its present anywhere that is warm, dark, or moist keeping your feet clean and dry and clipping your nails properly can help prevent an infection.
For fungus to grow, there needs to be some type of trauma to the nail where the nail-skin junction, or natural barrier, is disrupted, says Sheth. For example, from a pedicure, ill-fitting shoes, or the repetitive trauma of running or hiking that causes the nail to lift or get pressed on from shoes or boots.
Still, some people are more vulnerable than others, she adds. Some people have it only on one toe or one foot, and some have lived with a partner who has it but they never get it,” Sheth says. “And for some you see it in their entire family. It’s not as straightforward as it seems, and it’s an annoying problem.
If you do get a toenail fungus infection, these measures can help stop it from spreading:
Getting rid of established toenail fungus can be difficult. Successfully eliminating it depends on careful adherence to a treatment plan.
“What happens over time is that the fungus breeds in the nail tissue and goes from being just a little bit on the nail, to a really discolored and thickened nail, to a nail that is totally embedded with fungus,” explains Marlene Reid, a doctor of podiatric medicine in Naperville, Illinois, and a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association.
