Toenail fungus
Do your toenails tend to get yellowed and break easily? Then you may find that you suffer from onychomycosis. Although this may sound scary, it simply means toenail fungus. And you will be surprised at just how common a problem this is in America alone.
In fact, statistics show that at least half of all Americans will experience it at one point in time in their lives by the age of 70. That makes toenail fungus one of the most common menaces that many people really don’t know how they get it, what it means and how to treat it.
The way you get toenail fungus is when a fungal infection takes place in one or more of your nails. This can happen from not bathing them properly, wearing old shoes for prolonged periods of time without socks, and in any other warm and moist environment including bathrooms. These types of fungi are often called dermatophytes, and as they grow they feed on the keratin, or proteins found on the hard surface of your nail.
One of the signs that toenail fungus is present is when you notice a white or yellow spot on the top of your finger or toenail. You can also get affected by the fingernail fungus. And what’s more, the fungus can spread deeper and deeper into your nail. Not only does this cause disfigurement or the destruction of your nail, but toenail fungus can also be very painful if left untreated.
However, what can be most frustrating to someone with this problem is that it can at times be difficult to treat depending on how bad it is. So it is very important to see your doctor as soon as you can so that he can choose the best type of medicine for you or someone in your life that has toenail fungus problem. But there are ways to help prevent this problem.
Wearing loose fitting shoes and not allowing multiple layers of nail polish are both great ways to help prevent it. Furthermore, toenail fungus spreads quickly and caution must be taken in any public area like locker rooms, showers, and pool areas. Even something as simple as keeping your nails cut short and filed down can help out. Here are a few more great tips:
• Just like with hair brushes, never use someone else’s nail trimmer or file. Even if you go to get a pedicure, bring your own from home.
• Try wearing waterproof gloves for wet work and cotton ones for dry. This keeps the moisture levels balanced and will help save your fingernails.
• And the same would go for your toes. Always wear 100% cotton socks, and change them when they get damp. Also putting some anti fungal powder in your socks will be a great help as well.
• Always try to wear shoes that have a wide area for your toes. This means staying way from pointed toed shoes that squish your toes together.
• Finally, always avoid walking barefoot in any public area. Pick up a pair of flip flops instead.
And finally, for those that have diabetes or other circulatory problems, or HIV, toenail fungus is more likely to hit you than others, so take special care to read the preventative steps above. Just remember, toenail fungus can be a very serious problem if left untreated. Go speak with your doctor if you think you may have it.