Nails Guide

The main composition of the nails is a hard protein called keratin. One of the building blocks that compose the body is protein.

In order for the ends of the fingers and toes to be protected from any type of trauma or injury, a person must know how to perform proper nail care. It is very important for every person to know how to do proper nail care because most of an individual’s daily activities are done using the hands and feet.

Through the use of the hands, a person is able to demonstrate compassion and caring, love, kindness, trust, forgiveness and thankfulness. Also, transmission of all kinds of bacteria and infectious organisms through direct contact is passed on from individual to individual through the hands. Contact with these harmful organisms threatens the optimum functioning of an individual’s health. Proper prevention is necessary to avoid illness and disease conditions.

To avoid nail fungus and reduce the recurrence of infections, a person needs to practice good hand and foot hygiene by following these tips:

1. Nail should be trimmed, kept dry and clean.
2. When wearing occlusive footwear, a person should wear socks that wick away the moisture. Socks should be changed often especially when a person sweats excessively. Shoes should be taken off occasionally during the day and after exercise.
3. You can opt to use anti-fungal spray or powder.
4. To prevent overexposure to water, wear rubber gloves. After using, turn gloves inside out to keep them dry.
5. Avoid pricking the skin surrounding your nails to prevent germs from accessing the nails and skin.
6. Avoid going barefoot in public places.
7. Make sure that the manicure and pedicure salon you frequent is trustworthy and reputable.
8. Do not coat your nails with nail polish often to hide the condition because it just worsens it.
9. Wash your hands often. Proper hand washing is important to avoid the spread of infection.

But there are also times that disease conditions hit a person unexpectedly. One disease condition that affects and targets the nails is nail fungus. Nail fungus, also known as onychomycosis is the fungus that causes the nails to become brittle, usually appearing as a yellowish or whitish discoloration, is communicable and if severe, is painful. Nail fungus infection is very distinguishable in comparison with a regular, healthy nail because it totally destroys ruins and deforms the nail.

Among the areas where nail fungus infection is often acquired are in public places such as common shower rooms, bathing places, swimming pools, gym facilities, hot tubs and saunas. Occlusive footwear, wearing tight-fitting gloves, excessive perspiration, poor peripheral circulation, poor hygiene practices, a compromised immune system and constant nail trauma can also cause nail fungus infection to develop. Athletes are more prone in acquiring the nail infection than non-athletes as well as men are twice as much than women.

In the United States alone there is an estimated percentage rate of 2-3% of infection occurring which already accounts for more or less 6 million Americans. This is a very alarming condition that requires special attention. Nail fungus infection can also be acquired because of an underlying disease condition such as diabetes mellitus, sexually-transmitted diseases or simply old age.

It is such a disgusting condition that majority of those that get infected try to hide it instead of having it checked by a medical professional. Applying nail polish to the infected nail only worsens it so does wearing closed footwear. This type of fungus loves dark and moist environments such as people with sweaty feet who constantly wear occlusive footwear add up to the infection making it more severe.

Because this condition has distressed many, treatments and home remedies have been developed. The following are the conventional and alternative treatments that are often used:

A yellow or whitish spot under your fingernail or toenail can possibly indicate a nail fungus infection. When the nails are infected by fungi, signs and symptoms such as nail discoloration and thickening of the edges are to be expected. This can be an unsightly problem especially for women. Nail fungus is also potentially painful. Fungal infection or mycosis is a condition that commonly targets the skin and the lungs. The fungus, which is the infecting agent, spreads around through tiny spores in the air that we breathe in or fall on our skin. People who are susceptible to infection are not harmed by this contact. Generally, these infections develop on the nails because of a continuous exposure to moist and warm environments. For example, individuals with sweaty feet or hands will most likely encourage the development of these fungi. Nail fungus and athlete’s foot are different. Athlete’s foot only affects the skin of your feet while nail fungus affects the nails.

Some say that nail fungus relief takes a long time before they can be fully treated. But contrary to what the public say and believe, there are a variety of medications made available in various pharmaceutical outlets to help you get rid of your nail fungus.

Anti-fungal ointments and creams are now bought over-the-counter. However, these over-the-counter medications are not guaranteed effective and recurring infections may occur. Among the fungal nail relief oral medications commonly prescribed by doctors are: Terbinafine; Fluconazole; and Itraconazole. It takes 6 to 12 weeks for you to take these oral medications but until such time that your nail re-grows will the results be seen. Taking these oral anti-fungal medications will help you get rid of infections while your nails are being totally replaced. Do not be surprised if it will take about four months for your nails to be free from any signs of infection. In addition, avoid exposing the nails to moist and warm conditions because this is where fungus thrives. Infections may also recur if you continue to do the same habits as before.

These oral fungal nail relief oral medications are usually not recommended by physicians to patients who have congestive heart failure or liver disease. It is also not advised for patients who are currently taking other maintenance medications or antibiotics. These anti-fungal drugs have adverse effects that can cause liver damage and severe skin rashes. If the above mentioned anti-fungal treatments do not work for you, there are still other fungal nail relief treatments to choose from. Some of the additional options that may also be recommended by physicians include the following:

1. You can opt to take your oral anti-fungal medications in conjunction with topical medications. Topical medications do not actually provide a cure. Doctors often advise patients to use topical fungal nail relief treatments with a lotion that contains urea because urea helps in speeding up the body’s absorption of the medication.
2. An anti-fungal nail polish called Ciclopirox can be used to treat mild to moderate nail fungus infections. The anti-fungal nail polish should be applied to the infected nail as well as the surrounding skin every day. The anti-fungal nail polish should be applied at least one a day and after the end of seven days, you can wipe off the layers of nail polish with alcohol and start applying the nail polish once again. You will observe fungal nail relief within the period of one year. But be warned beforehand that only 10% of people who use anti-fungal nail polish have actually been cured according to research.

If you can find no fungal nail relief despite trying all kinds of medications, the last resort that your physician will suggest is for the removal of your nail. Once the infected nail is removed, a new nail typically grows back however; it takes more or less one year for an entire nail to completely fill your nail bed.