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Onychomycosis refers to a fungal infection of the toe or finger nail. Onycho refers to the nail and mycosis refers to a fungal condition. Onychomycosis is very common in the toe nail and seen to a much lesser degree in the finger nail. It is estimated that 25 million Americans suffer from onychomycosis. The organisms that cause onychomycosis are usually fungus (90% of cases) or yeast (7% of cases).
Onychomycosis has nothing to do with hygiene. Many people feel that they have in some way contributed to a fungal nail infection. There is only one way we do contribute to this condition and that is in that we create an environment that is wonderfully conducive to the growth of fungus. We jump out of the shower in the morning, put on our socks and shoes for 18 hours and create a greenhouse that promotes fungal growth.
It is safe to say that 50% of folks over the age of 50 have a fungal toe nail infection to some degree. But this doesn't necessarily mean that onychomycosis is due to 'old age'. We can imply that over the course of our lifetimes we would have more opportunities to acquire a fungal infection of the nail. Trauma makes the nail much more susceptible to fungal infections. It's also reasonable to assume that folks in professions that abuse their feet would tend to have a higher rate of onychomycosis. An injury to the nail is a common precursor to a fungal nail infection. Trauma may be something abrupt such as a can of beans hitting the nail from the top shelf or something as benign as a pair of ill-fitting shoes constantly rubbing on the nail. As an example, a machinist or mechanic would tend to show earlier signs of onychomycosis than a housewife.
The appearance of onychomycosis can vary but most cases begin at the distal tip of the nail and slowly progress into the nail over a period of months to years. The nail will thicken as the fungus continues to grow. The filaments of fungus take up space in the nail causing it to swell. The nail can be yellow, white or even green to black. The nail also begins to be chalky and flakey.
Treatment of toe nail fungus and onychomycosis
Prevention of injuries to the nail is very important. Once the nail is injured, the door of susceptibility swings open, allowing entry of the fungus. There are some very simple preventative measures that can be taken on a regular basis. Keep the feet dry. Keeping the feet dry will inhibit the ability of the fungus to thrive. You can do this in several ways. Frequent changes of socks, the use of powder, such as baby powder and rotating shoes so that they are worn only every other day, can help tremendously.
Tips to help keep tonail fungus away (and keep your toes health).
Wash your feet every day. Clean between your toes then dry your feet well, and wear clean socks, or hosiery. Dry, clean feet help stop a fungus from taking root, growing, or spreading. An extra tip: Socks made of nylon and other synthetic materials shed moisture, wicking it away faster.
Use a talcum foot powder to keep your feet clean and dry. Moisture and sweat help the infection take root and grow. Talcum powders help more than cornstarch powders.
Wear shower shoes (flip-flops) when walking in public swimming and shower areas. This helps keep you from picking up a toenail fungus infection from someone else. (Or from spreading an infection if you have one.)
Clip your toenails straight across so that the toenail does not extend beyond the tip of the toe. This will reduce the risk of breaking, cracking, or splitting the toenail.
Get manicures and pedicures only at salons and spas that sterilize their tools. This will reduce the risk of picking up a fungus from a tool that was recently used on an infected nail. You may even want to keep a set of your own tools to bring with you for the manicurist to use.
Wear comfortable shoes that fit properly and are made of materials that breathe, such as canvas, leather, or mesh materials. The less moisture that's trapped in your shoes, the less chance a fungus has to take root, grow, and spread.
Examine packages of artificial nails and nail polishes before buying and using them. Some trap moisture under the nail and create good conditions for a fungus to grow.
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