Nail Fungus Infections

How Do You Get Nail Fungus?
If your nails are very often in warm, moist environments, like sweaty shoes, swimming pools or shower floors, you may be a candidate for nail fungus. The fungus enters through tiny invisible cuts or small spaces between your nail and nail bed.

Nail fungus is more common in toenails than fingernails since the warm, moist habitat inside your shoes is perfect for fungi growth. Couple that with less blood circulation in your feet than in your hands and there you have it...toenail fungus infection wins hands down.

You might also be more likely to get a nail fungus infections if one of these is true for you: Working in moist humid environments, heavy perspiring, smoking, wearing socks that don't absorb perspiration and walking barefoot in public, wet places, like gyms, showers and swimming pools. Additionally, people with Diabetes, poor blood circulation or lowered immune systems are also at risk for nail fungus infections.

What Are Nail Fungus Symptoms?
As mentioned above, infected nails are thicker, generally growing upwards. They're brittle and discolored, either white, yellow or even green and will eventually get quite distorted in shape, as well.

Nail Fungus Treatments
So you have a nail fungus infection...now what? Nail fungus infections can exist indefinitely if left untreated. You really should see a doctor if you suspect you have one as they can cause permanent damage to your nails, or even lead to other serious infections throughout your body. However, if you're one of those betting folks, you can buy over-the-counter antifungal nail creams but they're usually ineffective in curing the infection.

Your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication, such as Fluconazole (Diflucan), Terbinafine (Lamisil) or Itraconazole (Sporanox). These are typically taken for 6 to 12 weeks. It may take 4 months to a year to completely eliminate an infection and even so, recurrent infections are possible, especially if you continue to expose your nails to warm, moist conditions. Furthermore, these antifungal drugs can cause side effects.

Other treatment options are an antifungal lacquer or nail polish. A topical antifungal polish called ciclopirox (Penlac), is painted on your toes and the skin around your toes once a day. Please note, that while it can work, researchers found that this type of toe fungus treatment cured nail fungus infections in less than 10 percent of folks who used it.

Topical medications are another option, such as econazole nitrate (Spectazole). These usually don't cure the problem but can be used alongside oral medications.

Though non-prescription medications are often useless at fighting the infection, many people swear by home remedies for toenail fungus, such as vinegar, Tea Tree Oil or Vicks Vaporub. Even kerosene is considered a home remedy for nail fungus infections. One home remedy we've seen and recommend is Nail That Fungus Forever!

Lastly, if your nail infection has reached a severe and painful point, it may be best to take the most drastic of toe fungus treatment options...removing the nail completely. Here's hoping none of your nail fungus infections ever get to be that bad.

Nail Fungus Prevention
Keep nails trimmed straight across and clean.
Wear cotton or wool socks, avoid synthetic materials.
Use antifungal sprays or powders on your feet and inside shoes.
Don't go barefoot in public places. Wear flip flops around public pools, showers, locker rooms and other places ripe for toenail fungus infection. (good advice for avoiding plantars warts, as well)
If you get manicures and pedicures, go to a reputable salon that keeps their tools clean, the last thing you need is acrylic nail fungus.
Don't try covering up an infected nail with polish or artificial nails. These can worsen the infection by trapping moisture.
Always wash your hands after touching an infected nail as it can spread from nail to nail.