Nail fungus is a common disease affecting a relatively large percentage of the human population. Only through proper information can you help prevent and stop nail fungus from infecting you. Nail fungus is not a severe disease but can cause painful swelling and burning around and under the nails of the hands and feet.
There are some risk factors that increase the risk of nail fungus for particular individuals. If you want to stop nail fungus it is helpful to have some background information about the causes of the disease. Usually the micro-organisms grow under your nails because it is the perfect breeding ground-- they thrive in dark moist areas. Many people are predisposed to a dermatophyte infection on their toes because their feet sweat profusely and the foot is usually covered by a sock and shoe which holds in the moisture and keeps the environment warm.
These environmental factors play a key role in your risk factors, so it is important that you choose good footwear and follow good hygienic habits to lower your risk. Dermatophyes thrive in areas that stay relatively moist and dark such as showers, saunas, locker rooms and swimming pools. If you walk through these areas barefoot you are increasing your exposure to the micro-organisms, and you may contract a nail fungus infection. How can you tell if you have a nail fungus infection if your nail is bothering you? Usually the infection starts as a small dot on your nail near the tip, your nail may turn an unassuming white or yellow color.
As the infection progresses deeper into the nail bed the nail itself may become discolored, brittle, thick and many times painful because it moves deeper into the nail bed. When the infection lives under the nail it excretes damaging substances so the tissue breaks down directly beneath the nail. If you find the possibility of an infection under any of your nails it is important to stop the fungal infection immediately so that it does not spread. Some of the popular oral antifungal tablets include Lamisil and Diflucan, but those are just a few options to stop nail fungus.
These treatments take quite some time to stop the infection because you need to wait for the nail to grow out, the medications allow the nail to grow free of the fungi; the fungi infected part of the nail will grow out as the new infection free portion grows in. There are also other options to stop nail fungus such as topical ointments and home remedies. By far, the best approach to stop nail fungus is to take careful preventative measure to avoid contracting it in the first place.
Be careful to not expose your nails to areas that may contain the fungus and focus on keeping your nails clean and dry at all times. If needed, use anti-fungal powder, and do not walk barefoot in high risk areas such as public showers and locker rooms, also wear breathable footwear. Following these preventative measures will spare you from the pain and discomfort associated with this unsightly disease by decreasing your risk of contracting nail fungus.
About the Author: Madalynn K Wayman has all the information you need to stop nail fungus. Put an end to that ugly nail fungus once and for all by checking out her website: http://stopnailfungus.info.
