⁣⁣How to get rid of fungal nail infections and how to treat nail fungus at home.

#nailfungus #onychomycosis #nailinfection

What is a Fungal Nail Infection?
A fungal nail infection (Onychomycosis) occurs when a fungus infects a fingernail, toenail or the skin under the nail (called the nail bed). Fungi tend to attack nails that are already damaged through small cuts in the skin around your nail, or through the opening between your nail and nail bed.

What are the symptoms of a fungal nail infection?
Common symptoms of fungal nail infections include:
* your nail getting thicker
* your nail changing colour (yellow, white, blue, purple or black)
* the skin near your nail itching or cracking
* your nail separating from the nail bed
* pain around the nail area.

What causes fungal nail infections?
1. Spread from a fungal skin infection. For example, athlete's foot (Tinea Pedis) can spread to the toenails if the skin infection is not treated early.
2. Fingernail infection may occur after a toenail infection has become established. The fungus may spread to a finger if you scratch your itchy toes and toenail.
3. Fingernail infections are also more likely to occur if you wash your hands frequently, as constant washing may damage the protective skin at the base of the nail.
4. A nail that has recently been damaged is also more likely to become infected.
You have an increased risk of developing a fungal nail infection if you have other health conditions eg:
* Diabetes.
* Psoriasis.
* Poor circulation.
* A poor immune system
* A general poor state of health such as heavy alcohol consumption.
5. Nail infections are more common in people who live in hot or humid climates.
6. Smoking also increases the risk of developing a nail infection.
Sometimes a fungal nail infection can occur 'out of the blue'.

Who develops fungal nail infection?
Between 3 and 8 out of 100 people will have a fungal nail infection (tinea unguium) at some stage of their lives. It also happens to young swimmers and athletes.

Other Nail Disorders That Look Like Nail Fungus:
* Psoriasis
* Eczema or dermatitis
* Lichen planus
* Viral warts
* Onycholysism (separation of nail from the nail bed)
* Onychogryphosis (nail thickening and scaling under the nail) which is common in the elderly

How To Prevent Spreading Fungal Nail Infections?
* don't share nail clippers or nail files
* treat other fungal infections such as athlete's foot.
* keep your feet cool and dry by wearing breathable footwear and cotton socks
* keep your toenails trimmed
* avoid high heels and shoes with narrow, pointy toes that may injure your nails
* when using communal showers, wear protective footwear
* using antifungal shoe spray
* hot washing your socks
* bleaching your shower floor and nail instruments
* try to avoid injury to nails
* avoid towel sharing
* consider replacing old footwear
* use Tea-Tree Oil in webspaces of fingers or toes a few drops of Olive Oil

Clips used and references:
"I developed a weather changing machine, which was in essence a sophisticated
heat beam, which we called a laser" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQqQkkgqkWY
"Gentlemen Broncos: I'm not seeing results." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip-hGliMrfQ

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ABOUT ME: I want to make it easier for people to fix common health problems. I work as a medical doctor in New Zealand.