Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention
Definition of Fingernail Fungus
The fingernail fungus is basically an infection occurs on the nail bed, the place where nail and skin meets. The fungus responsible for this infection enters through a small wound, scratch or cut through the skin and targets the nail and skin together.
Symptoms of Fingernail Fungus
There are many types of fungi that cause fingernail infections. They all have some symptoms common that are mentioned below:
- There is a yellowish or brownish discoloration that starts at the base of fingernail and spreads underneath the skin.
- There could be white or black patches on the affected area.
- The nails become thick and brittle. Also, trimming of the nail is difficult here. There could be pain and tenderness that affects routine work like walking, sitting and even putting shoes/socks.
- Affected nail starts collecting debris underneath it.
- The nail may change its shape and start bending towards the middle of the nail bed.
- There could be bad odour due to presence of fungi.
Treatment and Prevention of Fingernail Fungus
Treating fingernail fungus is bit difficult and hence, health care providers advise that it’s better to prevent it taking simple steps in act…
1. Do not share clothes, towels, socks, footwear and washcloths. They may carry fungus.
2. You should keep your feet and hands dry and clean.
3. The fingernail fungus infection goes worse in people with low immunity. If you have other diseases, treat them first.
4. Nail polishes are said to contribute the growth of fungus and hence is not recommended. Wearing artificial nails and sharing nail polish is to be avoided.
There are plenty of oral anti fungal medicines available on the market. They help treating fingernail fungus infections (like Diflucan or Lamisil). These medicines are to be continued for longer duration that might invite side effects like headache, rashes, liver damage etc. Also, 20 percent of patients contract the disease once they stop medicines.
Homemade remedies for fingernail fungus infection are not so effective. In fact, some believe that home remedies may delay the treatment and worsen the case. Nevertheless, there are certain natural components (like essential aromatic or herbal oils) that help killing the fungi up to certain extent. So what do we recommend? We suggest that you try Zetaclear.
Is Fingernail Fungus Contagious?
Fingernail fungus infection can simply be defined as an attack of living fungi onto the nails of the finger. Fingernail gets affected and then starts paining. The fungus grows in the dark, moist and wet area. This makes nail an ideal location for fungus to stay. The nail has some micro-spaces at below and sides of it.
Unfortunately, the nail itself works as a shield and protects the fungus. The fungus then starts eating up the most important substance called as ‘keratin’. Keratin is a substance that coats the nail and hence provides protection to the structure of the nail. While the fungus is obtained from someplace, it is not considered as highly contagious disease.
Nail fungus is very common that you can find this trouble in some person around you. However, the condition is contagious for one’s own fingers. In other words, when one fingernail is being attacked with fungal infection and if it is left untreated or untouched, it may spread to some other place that is nearby.
For instance, if fingernail fungal infection is present on the index finger and left untouched or poorly treated, it can gradually spread to the middle finger. The spreading of the fungus is due to its nature. All of us have seen the fungi or fungus growing somewhere (commonest on bread) in the night and then, suddenly you discover early in the morning that the fungus that was occupying just a corner of bread now has covered 1/4th of half of bread.
The theory goes same when it comes to the fingernail fungal infection. The fungus occupies one little lesion somewhere in cuticle or besides the nail and then starts growing inside. It then spreads and if not treated well, it travels from one place to another by spreading its winds.
Almost all the microorganisms have tendency to multiply. It is rather their nature and physiological procedure to multiply and hence to spread. But then for multiplying and spreading, such microorganisms require nutrition or in other words, the food. Viruses and bacteria get into the blood and starts digesting the proteins of the body cells and hence, they destroy body cells. When body cells start dying, there will be symptoms of infection along with fever or localized pus or swelling.
In case of fingernail fungal infection, it becomes contagious when it digests the structure surrounding the nail and there is no treatment attacking on them. The fungus then multiplies and covers as much area as possible.
Fingernail fungus can be considered as contagious from person to person when they are in very close contact. It can also spread via socks or shoes if shared. They are highly contagious if the local site is filled up with pus that is a powerful carrier of the infection from one site to the other.
Being agreed that fingernail fungal infection can be contagious, one should take precaution so that it does not spread to another finger or another person. The socks are not to be shared and are to be washed with disinfectant solution.
Black Fungus Under Fingernails
The black fungus under the fingernails is the last thing that anyone would ever want. Fingernail fungal infection occurs when fungal spores get beneath the fingernails and start to grow there. Black fungus under fingernails is the most advanced stage of fingernail fungal infection where the fungi is more and the infection is severe than usual.
There will be shrewd golden shade to the nail, which is the first and early symptom and one has to be aware of that. Black fungus generally affects more than one finger-nail. The condition is stronger as compared to a normal fungal infection. There will be gloomy brunette colour of the nail as the fungus grow and spread. The fungus then starts producing the spores and finally the nail becomes deformed.
Many times, it becomes difficult to diagnose the black fungus under fingernails as a normal fungal infection, if gets grown and spreads more, catches darker colour and resembles as if it is a black fungus under fingernails. However, in black fungal infection, the appearance of the nail depends upon a class of factors like up to which degree the infection has gone, which exact part of the nail is being affected and also that are they being treated or have still remained untouched.
If black fungal infection under the fingernails is in advanced stage, the nails become over-thick and finally may collapse. The cuticles and surrounding structures of the nail may get completely destroyed and there are fair chances to have pus formation that can produce offensive odour. One should be very careful if one fingernail is being affected by black fungal infection as it is contagious and can spread quickly to other part i.e. fingers and nails. Wearing washed and cleaned gloves while performing those work wherein, there are chances to get fungal infections will be good idea.
The nails are to be kept cleaned and no dirt should be allowed to locate and grow inside or by sides of them. One should trim the nails regularly and most importantly, keep your nails dry and never moist or wet. Fungus grows in dark and moist areas as that is perfect environment in which, it can live, grow and spread. There are many disinfectant dusting powders readily available in the market that can be used as an external application.
One should never ignore any cut or wound, let it be little or minor one. Such damage to the skin, especially nearer to nails spread quickly and microorganisms just run towards the nails and locate itself at secured place. Unfortunately, nail itself protects the fungus that is growing just beneath it. Fungus start growing inside and then starts digesting the valuable ‘keratin’, a substance that coats and hence, protect the nail and its structure.
Such infections can be treated well, if identified and tackled in the initial stages. There are many homemade remedies and essential oils that can help healing the nails but if it has gone beyond limits, local incision and removal of the affected area remains as the only treatment.
Cure Fingernail Fungus
It is not impossible to cure fingernail fungus, but finding the most effective treatments may take some trial and error. Medications prescribed by your doctor can cost thousands of dollars for a full course of treatment, because it may be required for up to a year, and these drugs may cause some very unpleasant or even life threatening side effects. Because of these factors, many people choose to treat fingernail fungus with herbal and natural treatments instead of drugs.
All the available treatment options can take up to a year to be effective if they are successful in curing the infection, and many times failure is the result, because once the fungus gets under the nail it is very hard to eliminate.
Using natural methods to cure fingernail fungus offers many advantages over medical treatments for this condition. There are no nasty side effects, your health is never jeopardized with herbs and natural cures, and the cost factor is greatly less with these treatments than it is with the drug options.
Natural treatment methods can be used in combination, to create a more effective cure for your fingernail fungus. Many times this fungus is seen as a result of wearing acrylic nails or other types of false fingernails for too long, because this allows fungus to grow and be happy. If you have developed a fingernail fungus infection, the first thing you should do if you are wearing false nails is to remove them. During the course of treatment do not have false nails applied, because this will make the problem worse and make it impossible to treat the infection while false nails are worn.
There are numerous home remedies available to cure fingernail fungus, and it is just a matter of finding the right combination of these treatments which are effective for your infection. Vinegar, corn meal, hydrogen peroxide, hot water, and other ingredients can be used to soak the infected nails, eliminating the fungus and heating up the area under the nail for effective healing. Apple cider vinegar and herbs can be taken orally to provide an anti-fungus environment inside your body that will help to destroy the fungus and get rid of the infection. Essential oils can be rubbed into the infected area to provide treatment for a fungus infection as well.
Tips For Treatment of Fingernails Naturally
The area underneath the fingernails happens to be the ideal environment for fungi. The area is moist, dark, and nicely protected by the nails. When you take showers, go swimming, and do dishes you make that environment more and more desirable to fungus.
While you are on the mission to find an effective fingernail fungus cure, you have to protect your nails so this environment is not as desirable.
The Following Tips Will Help:
Step One: Keep the infected hand out of water as much as possible. This means wearing gloves while doing dishes and covering the hand while taking showers. You may also want to switch to taking baths while you are treating your nails for fungal infection. It is easier to keep the nails dry in a bath.
Avoid situations that may cause your hands to sweat in a confined area. For example, wearing gloves while running or biking could be a bad idea. Your hands will sweat.
The sweat remains trapped in the gloves. The fingernails and surrounding tissue stay hot and moist, allowing the fungus to grow.
Ensure proper circulation of air around your hands. You want your hands exposed to air so you don’t make that moist, hot environment even moister and hotter.
Step Two: Research fingernail fungus treatment options.
If you are not familiar with the fingernail fungus treatments currently on the market, now is the time to start learning.
There are different types of products selling in different price ranges. Some require a prescription from a doctor, while others are selling through stores. Some are readily found in local stores while others are best found online.
Here are some tips that will be helpful as you start to learn your options for fingernail fungus treatment:
Before purchasing products from local stores, write down their names and look them up online. Learn what ingredients are used in the formula, how it is applied, and whether it has been effective for other users.
Explore the pros and cons of choosing organic or natural products versus those with chemical ingredients. If you decide to use a prescription treatment, book an appointment with your doctor before moving to the next step.
Step Three: Begin and test your chosen fingernail fungus cures.
Your chosen treatment should offer a money back guarantee, which sets the time frame for your test. The goal is to start using the product exactly as prescribed or advised on the package.
When you come near the end of the money back guarantee period, you can determine whether you are seeing results or not. You can return your product and receive your money back if you are not getting results. A new product or a prescription may be tried at that point.
Do not proceed until you have found a treatment that shows progress before it is time to get your money back. You may not see a complete cure in your fungus problem within a month or two, but considerable progress should be noted.
Step Four: Consistently apply your fingernail fungus treatment until your condition has been cured.
Give this step some time. As long as you are using the product according to directions and remain consistent with the treatments, you should get the fingernail fungus cure you are seeking. If you are following the tips in step one, you are more likely to see faster results.
Step Five: Take precautions to protect against future fungal infections.
Look back to step one of this fingernail fungus cure. Those are the things you will need to keep doing in order to protect your nails from future infections. You just don’t have to go to such extremes. Rather than keeping your hands out of water, just make sure to dry them completely every time you do get them wet.
If you are in public shower or bathroom stalls, make sure to wear flip flops so your feet do not contact the floor. Your nails can become infected as well!
This process may seem lengthy, but it is what you need to do if you want to cure your fingernail fungus problem. Get started with step one today. Every day you wait allows your fungus to grow a bit more out of control.
Fingernail Fungus Laser Treatment – A Faster Alternative
Fingernail fungus has been a problematic health problem and affects approximately 20 million people in America according to the Foot and Ankle Centre of Washington.
Health care providers have prescribed a range of oral medications to treat fingernail fungus infection. Prescribed medications like Lamisil and Diflucan must be taken for a long time and can cause bad side effects to the user. The side effect of chemical nail fungus infection medications can range from headaches, rashes to liver damage. Because of the risk of consuming nail fungus infection medications and the long time needed to totally get rid of the fungus a fingernail fungus laser treatment may be can be a faster alternative.
If you already tried so many nail fungus home remedies and natural nail fungus treatment, but still cannot get rid of fingernail fungus, fingernail fungus laser treatment might be able to be the next solution for you. Fingernail fungus laser treatment works by eradicating fungal infection trapped deed in the nail bed by beaming a dual wave length laser light at the area affected by infection. Amazingly, the laser light addresses fungal infection while leaving healthy tissues intact.
The procedure of fingernail fungus laser treatment requires only one or a small number of safe, quick treatments with little discomfort and is performed as an outpatient service with no anaesthesia. The gentle laser light beam has no effect on healthy tissue. No drugs are used, eliminating the total-body side effects of traditional oral medication.
It’s important to mention that fingernail fungus laser treatment carries no dangerous side effects compared to liver toxic oral medications and virtually worthless topical nail polishes. Laser treatments also cost less in the long run if you take into account costly tests and a myriad of conventional treatments patients keep trying for years without any success and that are not covered by health insurance because they are considered cosmetic treatments.
Fingernail Fungus Treatment Home Remedies That Are Popular Today
There are several fingernail fungus treatment home remedies that are very popular among us. Some people said that those home remedies are effective and remove all fungus on their nails. Although the result of using nail fungus home remedies might be different for every person, but they still want to try to use home remedies because home remedies are much more affordable.
Some popular fingernail fungus home remedies are Listerine, vinegar, Vicks Vapor rub and some peoples also try using bleach although it might be not good for skin.
Listerine for toenail fungus infection is not a doctor prescribed. It is an alternative home remedy for toenail fungus recommended by people who found success in using Listerine as toenail fungus remedy. It seems weird, a mouthwash product for a foot infection. But the ingredients in the Listerine already help many people especially those who suffer from mild fingernail fungus infection.
You also can try to soak your feet into vinegar to cure nail fungus infection. Fungi need a specific Ph to grow and by soak your feet into vinegar the Ph on your feet will change and it can prevent the growth of the fungi. But if you have sensitive skin type, please be careful when applying this fingernail fungus treatment home remedies because vinegar also rid of your skin moistures.
You can find in the internet many people also recommend Vicks vapor rub in their list of fingernail fungus treatment home remedies, even some people said it works quicker than the other fingernail fungus home remedies. But is it not sure what the logic behind it.
All of these fingernail fungus treatment home remedies mentioned here have the potential to slow the growth and might be totally banish nail fungus on your feet at an early stage. However you must seek medical intervention immediately if the infection shows signs of worsening. It is not recommended that you try any fingernail fungus treatment home remedies if your toe is noticeably infected, separated from the nail bed, or oozing any type of fluid or pus. If you have any of the symptoms listed above, contact your doctor immediately to get professional nail fungus therapy.
Home Remedies for Fingernail Fungus
There are many home remedies for fingernail fungus and they have been in practice since years. They are safe and easily available. One of the simplest homemade remedy is to soak affected area in the solution that is disinfectant and anti-fungal. The solution can contain vinegar, essential oils like lavender, olive oil etc.
Some of the naturopaths suggest putting Neem’s decoction as most effective way to treat such local infections. Tea tree oil is another great homemade remedy. You can put this oil directly onto the affected area by an eyedropper or you can use the oil in combination with vinegars or other essential oils. They all are scientifically proven anti-fungal agents. Some of the Chinese formulas such as ‘Fungo Balm’ have also been considered as effective home remedy for treating fungus of the fingernails.
One has to keep the fingernails clean and for the feet, one can put disinfectant dusting powder into the socks and the shoes. Keep the fingernails dry play key role in preventing and treating various fingernail infections especially the fungal. Fungus grows rapidly in moist and dark environment and hence, keeping nail dry and powdered will provide no chance for fungus to locate and to grow.
Some home remedy experts opine that a solution made out of the combination of vinegars, Tea tree oil, dark beer and some essential oils is very useful treating fingernail fungal infections. When those herbs combine, they make the solution a ‘winning combination’ fighting against various fungi.
One should cut fingernails from the front-side and never along with cuticles and from sides. Proper trimming of the nails on regular basis keep the fingernail infections away from you. Though you do not have any infection, socks are to be washed with disinfectant solution to prevent any kind of infection. The footwear is to be chosen that has some ventilation system.