What is Nail Fungus?
July 31, 2008 – 11:27 pm
Nail fungus is an infection that appears in fingernails or toe nails, it is a fungal complication. Being not only a cosmetic problem, nail fungus also affects nail, nail bed and its sides.
Nail Fungus Causes
Organisms cause nail fungus, these organisms can be found near our nails and they wait an event to come out, you hit your foot and your nail is damaged; now it is a suitable place for fungi organisms to live. Once this fungi organism appear, then it lives in warm and moist, it multiples and covers all your nail, nail bed, sometimes other nails. Another cause of nail fungus is weak immune system; people who have weak immune system are more likely to have nail fungus.
Nail fungus is infectious, swimming pools, public places; manicure and pedicure tools that are not hygienic are sources of this disorder. Cutting nails too short, wrong shoe choice, pressure on nails are other reasons of nail fungus.
Symptoms of Nail Fungus
Nail fungus is generally seen in toenails; however it can be seen in fingernails, too. It is a widespread disorder, but the symptoms are not clear until it became severe, so people generally do not notice it. First of all, it begins as a spot on your nail, it is yellow, brown, or greenish, then it can give pain, cover nail bed, nail is not pure, it is thickened and broken in shape. You can smell odor due to this illness. Before treatment, if the case is severe, even your nail can be removed without any operation; it is weak and damaged.
Diagnosis of Nail Fungus
If you think nail fungus only as a cosmetic problem due to ugly sight of the nail, you are wrong and this makes the diagnosis process longer. You should consult to a doctor immediately after seeing even a spot on your nail to cure fungi; otherwise, you have to deal with it longer and longer.
Doctor wants to examine a part of your infected nail and after this; a suitable treatment is operated according to the level of nail fungus.
Nail Fungus Treatment
After consulting doctor, a long process is waiting for you, so be consistent and do not cut the treatment. The treatment takes approximately between 3 and 6 months, if fingernails are infected, it may take shorter. Oral medication is given for the first months; in addition to that, a lotion to thin the nail can be given. If the case begins to become better, oral medication is stopped, only things that are used externally are recommended.
The important point about treatment is that you should use medicine, lotion whatever your doctor gives to you regularly, if you skip the usage there is no use. During treatment process, regular doctor control is also necessary.
Prevention Process of Nail Fungus
Nail fungus can occur more than once, so you should take some precautions after successful treatment. You should keep your nails short, dry and clean. Suitable shoe and socks are important factors, socks should keep the moisture and shoe should not tighten your feet. There are sprays for prevention, they can be used and do not use public places as much as possible.