Fungus Toe Nails
An estimated 3% to 5% of people in the United States are affected by fungus toe nails, with approximated 50% of people below 70 developing the infection in at least one toe.
Toenail fungus infections are quite common. It is believed they are usually picked up from walking barfoot in public gyms, locker rooms and showers.
The infection causing fungi love damp warm places. So by combining poor drying of your feet, with the natural warmth of a shoe, you get the perfect growing conditions for toenail fungus.
Onychomycosis is the name of the infection. The first part of the name “Onycho” refers to the nail and the second “Mycosis” to the fungus.
In a typical infection, the nail turns brown or yellow and can become thick. Often “toe jam” will develop at the sides and tip of the nail. As the infection develops the nail may become very thick or the nail may crumble, eventually falling off.
Here are a few simple step to take to help prevent toe nail fungus:
- Ensure you wear loose fitting shoes that can breath
- Wash and throughly dry your feet each day
- Foot powder like cornstarch or specialised medicated powders will absorb mositure and help prevent a range of fungal infections
- Always wear fresh clean socks each day
- Wear footwear such as flip-flops when using communal wet areas
- Stand on a towel when dressing after showering in communal changing rroms
- Keep toenails closely trimmed
The infection seldom goes away on its own and may become severe enough to caue loss of the nail. Always consult a doctor if you develop a toe nail fungus infection.
A reange of treatments are available and which one you choose will be dependant on the type and severity of your infection and your overall health.
Most treatments involve a combination of severe trimming of the nail, regular removal of the “toe-jam” which has accumulated and application of topical and/or oral medication.
Generally treatment with oral antifungal medicine will see the fungus off in 12 weeks, although in stubborn infections of fungus toe nails the cure can take over a year.
Filed under: Health
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