Nail fungus is a very common nail problem. It is responsible for about 50 percent of all nail problems. It can affect anybody though the tendency is higher among elderly people and men.
Nail fungus, which is also known as Onychomycosis, affects both fingernails and toenails. It begins as a spot beneath the tip of the nail and advances to cause discoloration, thickening and crumbling of nails among other symptoms.
It spreads easily and very fast hence can jump from one nail to the other or the surrounding skin as well as from one person to the other quickly. The best way to fight nail fungus is prevention because it is difficult to treat and has a high rate of recurrence.
To prevent nail fungus and its problems, it is important to know the risk factors of the infection. These will inform how you conduct yourself concerning the avoidance of nail fungus.
Causes of Nail Fungus
There are several causes of nail fungus, each of which must be paid attention to. However, emphasis will be laid on the top 3 causes in this content.
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Poor nail hygiene
The fundamental cause of most nail problems including nail fungus is connected to poor nail hygiene. Many people pay little or no attention to nail’s health except for occasional trimming or clipping which they, unfortunately, don’t get right. Some poor nail treatments include:
- Dirty and wet nails: this is a very common problem. The nails of many people are long and dirty. Dirt gathers beneath the nail hence providing fungus palatable breeding ground. Closely associated with this is wet fingers or feet. Fungus thrives in a moist and warm environment hence wet fingers and feet are risk factors for nail fungus. To prevent nail fungus, keep your nails short, clean, and dry.
- Wrong trimming of nails: nails are supposed to be trimmed straight across but we mostly curve it. This can result in nails growing into the nail bed or curving into the surrounding skin causing ingrown nails or curved nails. This increases the risk of having nail fungus. While nails should always be kept short, avoid excessive trimming of nails.
- Exposing nails in high-risk places: walking barefoot in public places like a locker room greatly exposes you to nail fungus. The same applies to the public swimming pool.
- Sharing nail tools: using another person’s nail tools or sharing yours with another person is another high-risk factor. Given the easy and fast spread of nail fungus, it can be easily transmitted via nail tools. Always disinfect your nail tools after use and keep them personal.
- Diet: This is another very important
Age
As we age, the chances of having nail fungus increase significantly. This is because immunity gets weakened or suppressed with age and circulation is reduced. These factors allow nail fungus to thrive.
Other factors include heredity, history of nail fungus or athlete’s foot, ill-fitted shoes, etc.
Though it is quite difficult to treat, there are effective treatment options without side effects. One of the most effective treatment options is Funginix. It is formulated to treat the symptoms of nail fungus as well as eradicate the fungus itself. Natural antifungal and antibacterial ingredients are used hence there is no safety concern for all users. It is also quite fast in action.
There are also effective home remedies for nail fungus. They are cheaper options but will not act as fast as Funginix. Ginger, garlic, coconut oil, hydrogen peroxide, snakeroot oil, and tea tree oil are some home remedies.
Underlying Health Issues
Our body is designed to naturally protect itself against strangers and invaders. It fights off a wide range of infections. To do this, it must be at its best otherwise it will be compromised. Underlying health issues such as diabetes suppress or minimize the effectiveness of the immune system hence infections such as nail fungus can thrive. Therefore, it is imperative to treat underlying health issues promptly. A fundamental part of this is diet. Always try to feed correctly for your body to be in the best shape to protect itself. Take immune-boosting supplements if you need to.
Conclusion
Nail fungus is a popular nail problem that can be very dangerous if not treated promptly. It can be representative of underlying health issues hence the need for prompt actions. Prevention is the best thing but the treatment options highlighted above are effective in the treatment. Lifestyle adjustment may be necessary to ensure the infection does not return.
