1. Get your feet out of sweaty shoes and socks whenever you can.
Fungus loves to grow in warm moist places. Like inside you sweat socks
after exercising.
Interesting fact: About 50% the population will
have had toenail fungus by the age of 70. Toenail fungus is much more
common than fingernail fungus. Once you recognize that you have a nail
fungus, it is very important to start treatment immediately before the
fungus gets worse and spreads.
2. Use Foot powder to help keep your toes and feet dry while you are exercising. This will help absorb some of the moisture.
Interesting fact: Toenail fungus is not the product of poor personal hygiene.
3.
Always wear flip-flops in places like public showers, locker rooms, and
pools (walking on your tippy-toes across the bathroom floor won't
protect your feet).
Interesting Fact: Nails are made of a protein
called keratin (dead cells), which is also found in human hair. Toenail
fungus is attracted to keratin and likes to feed on it.
4. Never
share your toenail clippers with anyone. This is a big NO NO. Fungus
will reside on the ends of your clippers allowing it to be transferred
from one person to another.
Interesting fact: Injuring a toenail
allows for the fungus to get underneath the nail and thus the nail
becomes more susceptible.
5. Wear socks that allow the feet to
breathe, such as those made from natural fibers such as cotton. If you
have extremely sweaty feet, give them ample time to dry out during the
day, if possible.
Interesting fact: Men are twice as likely to have a toenail fungal infection than women.
6.
Do not wear toenail polish if you have a toenail infected by fungus.
There is some debate on this one whether or not it really matters. When
in doubt just don't do it.
Interesting fact: The medical term for toenail fungus is Onychmoycosis.
7.
Always keep your nails trimmed short so that you minimize the risk of
prying the nail upward and causing injury to the nail bed which in turn
allows the fungus to grow underneath the nail.
Interesting fact: It can take 18 months for a nail to be replaced completely by a new one.
8. Stop Smoking! Faster recovery period. Yet one more reason to stop.
Interesting fact: Nail Fungus is NOT the same as Athlete's Foot but can be caused by the same fungus.
9. If your toenail has become inflamed or you are experiencing pain, seek medical advice as soon as you are able to do so.
10.
Do not delay in the treatment of your toenail fungus. As the toenail
fungus continues to grow it is much harder to get rid of. If you suspect
you have toenail fungus, start treatment today.
Showing posts with label ingrown nail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ingrown nail. Show all posts
Friday, July 25, 2014
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Ingrown Toenails: Causes and Treatment
10:03:00 AM
When the a toenail begins to grow into the surrounding skin
rather than across the nail bed, it can lead to infection and pain. For
patients with circulatory issues, diabetes or toe numbness, ingrown
toenails can actually pose a very serious risk of complication, up to
and including loss of a limb. The first thing you should do is consult
with a podiatrist in your area, and schedule an appointment immediately.
An ingrown toenail is more than a painful cosmetic issue and can have a
variety of causes.
Causes of Ingrown Toenails
While any toenail has the potential to become ingrown, the most commonly affected digit is the big toe. Traumatic injury to the toe near the nail bed can lead to an ingrown nail, and you're more likely to suffer from one if someone in your immediate family has had one. High heel and tight shoes can compress the toes, with the resultant pressure causing abnormal nail growth which may also result in an ingrown toenail.
In some cases, ingrown nails are caused by fungal infections, which may thicken and widen the toenail and lead to painful, improper growth. One of the more common causes of ingrown toenails, however, is simply improper trimming. Rounded corners can lead to the nail digging into the skin surrounding the nail bed, which can easily progress to an ingrown nail. Be sure you always trim toenails straight across, rather than rounding the edges. Refrain from wearing tight shoes or high heels whenever possible, and keep an eye on any injury which may affect the nail bed.
Spotting Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown nails are relatively easy to spot. In the beginning, reddening and mild swelling of the end of the toe are common. The affected toe may be painful and warm to the touch. If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can very easily become infected. Should an infection develop, you will notice an increase of swelling and may see yellow or white colored drainage from the site of infection. In rare cases, you may develop a low-grade fever as the infection takes hold.
Treatment Options
You should immediately seek the attention of a podiatrist if your ingrown toenail develops an infection. If you have inflammation without signs of infection, its still imperative for patients whose tetanus immunization isn't up to date, those who have HIV/AIDS, vascular issues and diabetes. Patients undergoing chemotherapy or with increased risk of infection should also seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Your podiatrist may recommend a round of self-care treatments to be administered at home after examining an ingrown toenail. These may include regular soaking in warm water, and attempting to elevate the affected nail. In some cases, more aggressive treatment may be prescribed. This especially holds true if there is a present infection, or if there are no signs of improvement after completing home treatment. Surgical intervention may be necessary in some cases, which will include the partial or complete removal of the affected nail. Your podiatrist may also decide to remove part of the nail bed or destroy the cells which spur nail growth to prevent future issues.
If you think you may be suffering from an ingrown toenail, it's best to consult with a podiatrist as soon as possible in order to being immediate treatment. With proper care, your pain and the risk of infection can be addressed effectively.
By
Dr. Marc Katz Causes of Ingrown Toenails
While any toenail has the potential to become ingrown, the most commonly affected digit is the big toe. Traumatic injury to the toe near the nail bed can lead to an ingrown nail, and you're more likely to suffer from one if someone in your immediate family has had one. High heel and tight shoes can compress the toes, with the resultant pressure causing abnormal nail growth which may also result in an ingrown toenail.
In some cases, ingrown nails are caused by fungal infections, which may thicken and widen the toenail and lead to painful, improper growth. One of the more common causes of ingrown toenails, however, is simply improper trimming. Rounded corners can lead to the nail digging into the skin surrounding the nail bed, which can easily progress to an ingrown nail. Be sure you always trim toenails straight across, rather than rounding the edges. Refrain from wearing tight shoes or high heels whenever possible, and keep an eye on any injury which may affect the nail bed.
Spotting Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown nails are relatively easy to spot. In the beginning, reddening and mild swelling of the end of the toe are common. The affected toe may be painful and warm to the touch. If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can very easily become infected. Should an infection develop, you will notice an increase of swelling and may see yellow or white colored drainage from the site of infection. In rare cases, you may develop a low-grade fever as the infection takes hold.
Treatment Options
You should immediately seek the attention of a podiatrist if your ingrown toenail develops an infection. If you have inflammation without signs of infection, its still imperative for patients whose tetanus immunization isn't up to date, those who have HIV/AIDS, vascular issues and diabetes. Patients undergoing chemotherapy or with increased risk of infection should also seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Your podiatrist may recommend a round of self-care treatments to be administered at home after examining an ingrown toenail. These may include regular soaking in warm water, and attempting to elevate the affected nail. In some cases, more aggressive treatment may be prescribed. This especially holds true if there is a present infection, or if there are no signs of improvement after completing home treatment. Surgical intervention may be necessary in some cases, which will include the partial or complete removal of the affected nail. Your podiatrist may also decide to remove part of the nail bed or destroy the cells which spur nail growth to prevent future issues.
If you think you may be suffering from an ingrown toenail, it's best to consult with a podiatrist as soon as possible in order to being immediate treatment. With proper care, your pain and the risk of infection can be addressed effectively.
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