Beat the fungi- get beautiful, breathable nails

Toes are a perfect breeding ground for fungal infections. This is because toes are often warm and damp and fungi do not need sunlight to survive. They thrive in warm, moist environment, including swimming pools, showers, within the shoes etc. Also known as onychomycosis, it strikes in both –finger and toes, it is more often found in toe nails because compared to fingers, toes have less blood flow. So, the body’s immune system finds it difficult to detect it and work on the infection.
WTN finds out more on the subject

What causes fungal infection?

Fungi seep in through the cracks in the skin or through a small separation between nails and nail bed. Dermatophyte fungus is the main culprits. Also, yeasts and molds cause fungal infection.
Both men and women can suffer from fungal infection, but it is more often found in men than in women due to repeated trauma to the nails. Also, the elderly, diabetics, those spending a lot of time in water or moist weather conditions or community places like gym swimming pools, nail salons, etc; those with athlete’s foot, weak immune system or their family members are at a high risk of it. Similarly, those with an injured toe, blood circulation issue, or who perspire heavily, wear footwear that obstruct ventilation or socks that do not absorb perspiration or with Down syndrome suffer from nail fungus.

Is it contagious?

Nail function can be transmitted from one person to another with constant contact only.

Symptoms

Nail infection starts with a white dot on the nail and which gets bigger. And as it grows, it loosens up and gets separate from the nail bed. However, as the condition goes unattended, it gets,
· Painful
· Swollen
· Decoloured
· Dull & brittle
· Thick & distorted
· Emanates foul odour
· Debris beneath the nail
· Separated from nail bed
· Infected to other nails & sometimes to the fingers

Treatment

A visit to the podiatrist will help you deal with the infected nail. He may
· Remove the infected area
· Trim it
· Clean and shave off some portion

Prevention

It is difficult to prevent nail infections. The infection is in the air, dust soil and water. The only possible prevention could be giving it a clean dry and breathable environment. However, this is what WTN recommends.
· Keep the nail short and dry
· Use clean tools like clippers, files etc
· Let the infected and other nails breathe
· Wear breathable footwear
· Do not use nail paints or cover it up

Risk factors

If ignored, the toenail fungus leads to cracking, splitting, loss of nail and sometimes the infection may spread even to other nails and fingers.

-windowtonews