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Wrong information may lead to wrong treatment, which may do more harm than good. Knowing the difference between myths and facts is vital.
Busted Myths About Nails and Nail Fungus
Nail Fungus can not be treated. - The symptoms and signs are caused by the fungi tinea ungium, the yeast Candida albicans and molds. These microorganisms breed in moist and warm environment just like the normal condition of the feet. Nail fungus can be eliminated by medicines specifically designed to combat the fungi. Infections recur though and the repetitive occurrence of the symptoms gave the impression that nail fungus cannot be cured.
Nail fungus has quick cures. - The available treatments take a while to complete. Topical ointments, for example, cannot penetrate the thickness of the nail to attack the fungi beneath it. One must religiously follow the treatment regimen to gain positive results. Infected nails also take about a year to re-grow since, on average, the nail grows around 1 mm every month.
Topical products can get rid of nail fungus. – There is no doubt about the potency of these drugs, but it has trouble penetrating the thick nails of a person infected with nail fungus. Healing may take a long while when using topical treatment. It is the most popular form of treatment compared to oral medications since it is very convenient and easy to apply.
Poor hygiene promotes nail fungus. - Poor hygiene does result to nail fungus. This is caused by microorganisms that grow in their ideal warm and moist environment. Poor hygiene may result to other problems, but not nail fungus. The key to treatment is boosting the immune system by taking in oral medicines.
One can easily contract nail fungus. - It is always good to have protective footwear when going to public places which may be prone to fungi and other microorganisms. However, it is not true that you can catch nail fungus instantaneously. It takes a while before the fungi can penetrate the skin and nailbed. The body has defense mechanisms to block its passage or attack. A deterioration of the immune system might put someone at risk of getting nail fungus.
Artificial nails may solve the problem of ugly nails. – Distorted or irregularly thick nails may be due to specific problems like nail fungus. Thee artificial nail attached to the finger or toe may trap moisture, which may further worsen the condition and even help fungi to grow.
Information that we read on the Internet may be very helpful, but may also be very harmful. Play safe; when in doubt always ask a doctor or a licensed health practitioner.
There is no sense in using self-care and medication when it comes to nail fungus. Wrong medications or methods may just worsen the condition. Remember, the infection may also cross to the other healthy nails and other parts of the body.
The Internet is a great tool for research for health topics like nail fungus. Aside from details about the problem, professional help and medicines can be availed online.
Nail fungus is something most people know very little about. We may see a few different advertisements or commercials about nail fungus treatment and prevention, but we really do not know what nail fungus actually is. Nail fungus is a fungal infection of the nail also known as onychomycosis in the medial world.
Studies show that while nail fungus is a common occurrence, it will typically infect the toenails. Very seldom will nail fungus attack the fingernails. Further studies show that approximately twelve percent of the U.S. population has some sort of nail fungus and it is typical with age. People aged 40 and older are the most susceptible to nail fungus. Like many other forms of affliction, nail fungus is hereditary; it seems to run in families. Some others may be more susceptible to nail fungus as well such as those who have a suppressed immune system due to certain diseases or treatments. People who have been diagnosed with AIDS, have received transplants, are undergoing cancer treatments are at risk.
In order to determine if you have nail fungus, you must make an appointment with a dermatologist. They will scrape your infected nail and submit it for microscopic examination. The nail will be carefully examined with a microscope and, occasionally, cultured, to determine what type of fungus is growing in the nail. Your dermatologist will determine if you have nail fungus and which type you have. Dermatophytes are nail fungus found in the toenails. Yeast is the type of nail fungus found in the fingernails.
If your dermatologist has diagnosed either type of nail fungus, he or she will prescribe one of many varieties of treatments available to combat the infection. In treatment of nail fungus, there are prescriptions such as gels, creams, and lotions that may be affective in treating mild cases of nail fungus. For particularly harsh cases, your dermatologist may prescribe oral medication to clear the problem. In extreme cases, the doctor may remove the nail, either the section that is infected or the entire nail to assist in treatment of the nail fungus.
The good news about nail fungus is, if you do get it, it can be treated fairly quickly. There are also steps you can take to avoid getting the infection or avoid getting it again. Talk to your dermatologist, he or she will provide you with the necessary information you need about nail fungus and how you can prevent it.