Symptoms of Nail Fungus (Fungal Infection)
The symptoms that you might see are not limited to the nail bed itself, but can include a general condition known as systemic infections (also called systemic diseases or chronic illnesses). These may include:
Skin irritation and eczema
Stiffened nails or painful sores if there is underlying infection
Numbness and tingling in your fingers, toes, wrists, ankles, knees or neck
Infections from other parts of your body can be treated with drugs or surgery but the disease, which usually appears on one part of the body, will need treatment all over the body for weeks or even months. Your doctor will probably recommend some home remedies such as antibiotics, antifungals and pain relievers for nails to help speed up recovery and make them less painful.
Some people will have to continue to take their medication even after healing slows down. That’s because some medicines or certain foods may interact with the medicine, so you should talk to your doctor or your pharmacist about what foods they think may have the potential to affect the healing process. If you’re unsure which foods you can eat, it’s best to speak to your doctors or pharmacist first.
Early signs of nail fungus (or fungal infection):
Unusual or unusual growths of plant or animal matter on one or both hands or feet
Faded skin or crusts in the affected areas
Foul odor coming from the nails
Persistent itching, especially when exposed to light or moisture
Fever or sweating
Darkening of nails due to increased blood circulation
Causes of Nail Fungus
There are many reasons why an infected nail could develop fungi. The fungi normally appear as white to reddish flakes (males) or black to brownish (females), but may also grow into molds, which produce small mats that look like a “weird” rash that spreads or grows outwards. They can also become thick, dark threads called hyphae. When these hyphae form into larger masses, they can start to eat away at the nail’s nail bed and surrounding tissue, causing inflammation and subsequent nail loss.
This is very similar to how weeds, lichen and moss eat away at forests of bramble and thistle, eventually killing off some trees too. In other words, fungi do not just destroy whole plant bodies. Instead, they are responsible for taking care of the leaves and roots, which has a similar life cycle. Any fungi found on the surface of the skin is typically considered noncancerous, which means it does not cause cancer, diabetes or arthritis. However, if an infection becomes severe enough, cancer develops.
There are two common types of human fungal infections: Candida (yeast) and Malassezia (fungus). Both yeast and fungus require moisture and sunlight to survive, and humans are the only animals that can spread either one. Yeast infections occur from contact with pet hair, cat hair, towels, clothing and contaminated foods. Once there is an increase in humidity around the person with the infection, the yeast dies and turns into black mold. On the contrary, malassezia fungi live in moist soil and water, unlike yeast that may remain active until it gets a new host.
Humans can pass this type of infection onto someone through contaminated towels or utensils, bedding, food or drinks, and other surfaces. Common causes for malassezia infections are poor hygiene, exposure to chemicals, malnutrition, old age and diabetes. Another type of fungal infection is athlete’s foot. It is caused by a fungus that lives on the soles of athletes’ shoes, athletic equipment or apparel. One thing most people with athlete’s foot don’t know is that athlete’s foot doesn’t just cover your toe. Athletes’ feet can also be extremely sensitive to touch and often need special medical attention.
Diagnosis of Nail Fungus
Because fingernails can be difficult to diagnose, some people prefer to use a dermoscopic examination. Dermoscopists try to get a clear image of all the skin around the nail beds themselves as well as any visible ingrown hairs, discolored or flaky skin, or skin discoloration. A dermatologist will examine the nail beds and may refer them for surgical removal if necessary. With a careful observation of the fingernail at night and by making gentle movements with the hand while examining the feet, the dentist can create a more thorough picture of the nail and its root system.
If the diagnosis is established, then treatment options will likely be available. Some treatments for Nail Fungus include oral antifungals, topical anti fungal ointments, IV antifungal medications and intravenous immunoglobulins. Oral antiviral medications are generally used to treat candida, Malassezia or ringworm. Because nails usually have fewer number and size of cells than human skin, treatment is often a combination of multiple treatments to enhance and promote faster recovery. Depending on the severity of the infection, additional treatments can help to prevent it from spreading to the rest of the body.
Home Remedies For Skin Around Nails
If there is no infection detected using the above methods, the next step is to seek treatment outside of your clinical setting. Keep in mind that some conditions may not respond to conventional treatments, including:
Ocular herpes simplex Virus (OHSV)- Eye infections that appear as red bumps inside the eyes (also called eye blisters) can be prevented or dealt with with medication. OHSV has many different strains and is usually present in the environment because the virus thrives well in damp areas. Although it sometimes is transmitted through contact with contaminated objects, it mostly affects people who do not wash their face frequently or wear tight-fitting clothes.
To stay safe, it is best to avoid direct contact with potentially infectious materials and to consider avoiding touching your eyes, mouth or nose with unwashed hands and clothing. Using products for treating dry eye, or products designed to keep eyelashes dampening, is also helpful because the bacteria lurking within can turn up inside your eyes. Use a good eye mask and sunscreen daily to protect the cornea. Antibiotics may also be used to reduce your chances of contracting eye infections.
Home remedies to fight pimple-causing bacteria with antibacterial properties, such as tea tree oil applied topically, are effective at clearing up acne breakouts. Tea tree oil is generally used to moisturize the face and relieve dry skin. Other natural ingredients, such as aloe vera, apple cider vinegar and honey, may also help reduce the appearance of blemishes. If the infection is mild and there is no redness, then it will respond better to home remedies.
Avoid harsh soaps and scented body lotions, and choose soothing creams rather than perfumes with alcohol. Over time, long term uses of retinoids may cause damage to the skin and may lead to increased sun sensitivity and wrinkles. After initial treatment, the patient should follow instructions for using topical retinoids. Anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, diclofenac and sulindac are used to reduce redness and swelling, as well as to stop bleeding, fever and swelling.
Treat patients with serious cases of Candida, Malassezia, ringworm and strep throat with oral antifungal agents. Prolonged use of fluoroquinolones (antifungal drugs prescribed in pill form for the treatment of ringworm) can result in severe side effects with prolonged usage. Oral treatment is typically required when using such drug combinations. Allergic reactions that arise from the use of oral antifungal drugs can worsen the infection; therefore, it is essential to discuss antifungal drug combinations thoroughly with your doctor before starting oral therapy.
Be especially cautious of combining antifungal drugs, as you may want to take daily pills due to other health problems. People at high risk of developing complications from yeast infections should be advised to discontinue antifungals as soon as possible. Those already prescribed antifungal drugs should reduce their dose or remove them completely to avoid harmful side effects. Before stopping treatment, ask your doctor for recommendations on dietary changes and lifestyle changes.
Home Remedies For Foot Pains From Nail Fungus
Foot or nail injuries are common among those with an active lifestyle (such as marathon runners or football players). As such, a large percentage of us suffer from painful toe and/or heel aches throughout our lives. While they can be quite tough and debilitating in the long run, there are plenty of quick and easy ways of resolving minor pain on the feet for those of us prone to injury. Here are some tips that may help ease discomfort or provide temporary relief, or heal a damaged area without requiring professional treatment:
Wear loose socks that allow movement
Avoid wearing sandals until the issue resolves and allow bare feet to warm up naturally.
Use a wet towel and apply ice cubes to the area. Massage with a kneady pat for 15 minutes or so to help rehydrate the area.
Take a cold shower or bath. If you can, try applying cold compresses to the sore spot to stimulate blood flow and speed the healing process. Make sure to clean out the drainage hole after each use of the compress, as dirt and debris can block this area for much longer periods of time.
Try yoga or meditation to improve blood circulation and aid in relaxation.
Choose comfort in footwear made from soft materials such as leather or rubber, since these make heel and arch support easier to achieve than hard materials