As spring and summer approach, many people begin to be more active outdoors and sandals become part of the shoe craze of the season. With sandals comes the display of thick, discolored toenails for everyone around. For many people, these unappealing nail changes are simply a cosmetic nuisance. From a medical perspective, these changes probably represent an infection that will not go away if it is not treated. The infection comes from a fungus, and this article will discuss how it developed and how it is treated effectively.
The fungus is a microscopic organism that exists around us. It can be found on a variety of surfaces in the environment and in a variety of forms. We even eat the larger versions of these organisms when we put mushrooms in our salads or on our pizzas. Skin fungi are commonly found in warm, dark, and humid environments. These environments include our shoes, as well as public showers and changing rooms. The most common type of fungus that invades the skin of the feet and nails is called 'dermatophyte', but the yeast forms also invade these tissues. The fungus begins to grow on the skin once it has attached sufficiently and will cause athlete's foot. The fungus will eventually spread from the sole of the foot or between the toes to the skin tissue that surrounds the nail. From there, it only takes a simple crack or a small area of damage for the fungus to penetrate the nail tissue and establish itself on the surface of the skin under the nail. It is here that the fungus thrives, and the overlying surface of the underside of the nail serves as a scaffold on which the fungus multiplies. The resulting destruction of the nail tissue creates thickening, crumbling and loosening of the nail. The nail will also become discolored during this process. Color can span the entire spectrum, from a superficial white layer to a deep yellow or brown stain. There may also be an odor, surprisingly similar to the smell of urine after asparagus is eaten. Sometimes the nail can become so loose from destructive changes that it partially or completely falls off. The nail will grow back, but the infection persists.
Treating nail fungus is difficult from a medical perspective and takes some time. While skin fungus is easily treated with an antifungal cream or lotion, nail infection is much more difficult to remove. The main problem lies in where the fungus lives: under the nail. The nail tissue provides a certain refuge in the sense that water-based creams and lotions do not penetrate the nail tissue. If the nail tissue cannot be penetrated, the drug cannot be delivered to the site of infection. In essence, store bought nail medications are not effective for nail fungus and can only be advertised for use "around" the nail, that is, on the skin. Traditional remedies like tea tree oil have not been shown to be scientifically effective despite claims to the contrary. Nail fungus is best treated with orally prescribed medications that circulate through the bloodstream and are delivered to the site of infection through the blood supply of the skin below the infection, bypassing the nail. This drug should be taken for three months, and the skin around the nail should be treated for a long period of time after that to avoid a new invasion of the nail. There are potential risks of liver damage with this class of drugs, although the risk is quite low and the drug is considered safe for use. Unfortunately, this drug is useless for the less common variant of nail fungus. As an alternative to oral medications, topical medications formulated to penetrate the nail can be used to treat the infection. They are not as effective as oral medication, but they can deliver antifungal medication through the nail plate safely without risk to internal organs. They are generally effective against yeast strains. One drug is a prescription hairspray and another is distributed through doctor's offices (by the way, the company that makes this distributed drug offers a money-back guarantee if it doesn't work). Each of these drugs must be used for at least six to eight months before fungal eradication is achieved. A final option for nail fungus removal is permanent removal of the nail itself. This procedure is ideal when the nail in question is very thick and diseased, painful, and unlikely to return to its normal shape, even if the nail fungus is treated. This procedure is performed in the foot specialist's office, with little to no pain afterward and a relatively quick recovery.
In conclusion, nail fungus does not go away on its own without specific treatment. Some people seem more likely to get the infection, probably for genetic reasons. Even certain individual nails may be more likely to become infected, as evidenced by the fungus that sometimes skips a nail to infect one several nails away. Early treatment can increase the chance that the infection will be cured, and a little vigilance to protect the nail after treatment can result in avoiding reinfection. It should be noted that not all the thickness and discoloration of the nails are due to a fungus. There are many cases where a nail is assumed to be infected when it is simply abnormal due to pressure or another disease. A podiatrist or dermatologist is best suited to evaluate the nail and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Antifungal medication will not improve the appearance of a non-fungal infected nail, and one's time and money will have been wasted in the process.
your practice website for more information. https://nationalculturists.org/nail-fungus-treatment/