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Nail Fungus - A Potentially Painful and Unsightly Condition!

By: Richard H Ealom INTRODUCTION: Nail fungus is made up of tiny organisms (Tinea Unguium) that can infect fingernails and toenails and is not the same as athlete's foot, which primarily affects the skin of the feet; However sometimes the two may co-exist and be caused by the same type of fungus.

It is more commonly found among older adults because their nails grow more slowly and thicken with aging, making them more susceptible to infection. The infection also tends to affect men more often than women and those with a family history of the disease.

It grows more often in people with weaker immune systems, which allow the fungus to become established. Nail fungus can be very difficult to treat, and repeated infections are common. The infection must be treated with medication once it occurs and is becoming more common in the U.S.

INFECTION: Fungus Infections make up about half of all nail diseases. These infections often develop on nails that are continually exposed to warm, damp environments, such as sweaty shoes or shower floors. It may begin as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. Toenails are more likely to develop fungal infections because they are confined in a warm, moist environment.

Bacterial Infections cause redness, swelling, and pain of the nail skin folds. Fungal infections of the nail can cause discoloration and abnormal growth. A nail fungus infection is often very difficult to treat, and may recur. Look out for signs of infection, including redness, pain or pus.

TREATMENT: The best treatment is of course preventing the disease. Non-surgical methods include the use of topical or oral medications. If the topical treatments are not successful, more powerful medications can be taken orally if your doctor thinks it is necessary.

However, because other nail conditions sometimes ape fungal infection, most MD's will confirm the diagnosis by sending a nail clipping for laboratory evaluation -- especially if treatment is under consideration. To monitor side effects your MD must order periodic blood tests (usually monthly) while treating the infection. At least 20% of patients will have a recurrence of the original nail infection at some time in the future, making re-treatment with medication a must.

If the nail infection does not cause any of these problems, then doctors often discourage treatment because of the potential side effects, the need to monitor the blood throughout therapy and the high recurrence rate. Without effective treatment nail fungus infections can spread and may even cause pain or tenderness.

The good news is your primary care doctor, podiatrist, dermatologist or healthcare professional can help you find an effective remedy. They can study your nails and find a treatment plan that's right for you. Asking the doctor questions about your condition can help you feel better about the treatment you are receiving.

CONCLUSION: An infection of nail fungus starts when fungi infect one or more of your nails. As it spreads deeper into your nail, it may cause your nail to become discolored, thicken and develop crumbling edges - A potentially painful and unsightly condition, But there are drugs available to help clear up the infection. Those suffering from this problem should include more probiotics (good bacteria) as part of their diet.

Your MD can diagnose whether you have a nail fungus infection and prescribe medicine, if desirable. Many persons fail to seek treatment at the on start of the disease because the symptoms of nail fungus may look to be nothing more than a blemish. If you suspect that you may be infected, you should seek medical attention because these infections can last indefinitely when left uncared for.

Article Source: http://www.lifeweightloss.com

About the author: Richard H. Ealom is an ezinearticles.com writer with more than 50 articles on Diseases,Causes,Cures. To learn more about Nail Fungus! visit Stop Your Nail Fungus! You have permission to use this article provided this box is kept unchanged.

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