Archive for the ‘Nail Fungus Symptoms’ Category

Know The Symptoms of Nail Fungus

Wednesday, April 10th, 2013

Nail FungusThe best way to fight a case of toenail fungus is to begin applying a nail fungus treatment as soon as you detect the infection.  The longer you wait to start treatment, the more time it give the dermatophytes (fungal agents that cause nail fungus) to dig in, multiply and spread.  However, a person needs to understand what the primary symptoms of nail fungus are in order to detect the infection in its earliest stages.  So, the remainder of this post is a list of common symptoms that indicate the presence of a nail fungus infection.

(more…)

Should Infected Nails Ever Be Removed?

Wednesday, March 13th, 2013

Medical professionals are still unsure about whether or not this is a wise tactic.  How to know which nail fungus treatment to use often depends on the stage of the infection and other factors.  Some situations where the nail is exceedingly infected and has already started to separate from the area attached to the cuticle call for the removal of the nail.  But this is not a procedure that a nail fungus sufferer should take on without a podiatrist.

(more…)

Skin Fungus Becomes Nail Fungus

Wednesday, February 20th, 2013

Fungus is one of the most resilient living substances on the planet.  Because of this fact, fungal infections are very difficult to eliminate and can spread from one body part to another.  In fact, a very large number of people who suffer from nail fungus more than likely had a fungal infection of the skin to begin with.  Toenail fungus infections occur when a fungal infection of the skin penetrates the nail either through a small cut, crack or break in any of the nails.  Understanding how to keep from ever getting a skin fungus infection will go a long way towards preventing a nail fungus infection.

(more…)

What Are Dermatophytes?

Sunday, December 2nd, 2012

Dermatophytes are fungi that can cause infections of the skin, hair, and nails due to their ability to utilize keratin.  Once detected, it is critical to start using a toenail fungus treatment in order to minimize the severity of any infection.  The organisms colonize the keratin tissues and inflammation is caused by host response to metabolic by-products.  These infections are known as ringworm or tinea, in association with the infected body part.  Occasionally the organisms do invade the subcutaneous tissues, resulting in kerion development.

The organisms are transmitted by either direct contact with infected host (human or animal) or by direct or indirect contact with infected exfoliated skin or hair in combs, hair brushes, clothing, furniture, theatre seats, caps, bed linens, towels, hotel rugs, and locker room floors.

(more…)

Should I Remove Infected Nails?

Monday, November 26th, 2012

This is another tactic in the elimination of nail fungus infections that medical professionals are still unsure about.  However, let’s point out a few general facts regarding nail fungus cases and whether it’s possible that removing a nail is a real way to cure toenail fungus.  How to know which treatment to use often depends on the stage of the infection and other factors.  If there is only a white patch on the nail, a strong, effective topical nail fungus treatment should cure the infection.  If there is nail thickening, brittleness, separation and inflammation, topical solutions are still effective but there may need to be an oral supplement of some kind to increase the medicinal dosage.  The usual discoloration of the toenail is a yellowish brown hue.  If there are other organisms causing the change in the toenail, the discoloration may take on a dark green to black appearance.  Black toenail can also be caused by trauma, autoimmune disorders, and melanoma.   If the infected nail is in this advanced condition, it is very important to consult a medical professional to determine the proper course of action.  It is obviously very important to arrive at the right diagnosis before treatment or sufferers will simply be wasting their time and money.

(more…)