Nail fungus, better known as onychomycosis or "tinea unguium", is a fairly common infection that can affect the fingernails and toenails, although it is more common in the latter. The first signs are often white or yellow spots under the nails, but mycosis can cause serious damage or other infections if not treated properly. By identifying the signs, symptoms and treating it appropriately you can not only understand if you have nail fungus, but you can also avoid possible unpleasant blemishes.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Identifying Onicomycosis
Step 1. Know the causes
This mycosis is often caused by dermatophyte fungi, although it can also result from yeast or mold present on the nails. The fungus, yeast, or mold that causes nail fungus can infect you and develop if the following conditions are met:
- An invisible cut in the skin or a small separation between the skin of the nail bed and the plate;
- Hot and humid environment such as swimming pools, showers and even inside shoes.
Step 2. Be aware of the risk factors
Although mycosis can affect anyone, there are some conditions that make some individuals more susceptible than others. These are the circumstances that could put you at the greatest risk of infection:
- Age, which can reduce blood circulation and slow nail growth
- Sex, especially men who are familiar with this type of mycosis;
- The surrounding environment, particularly if you work in humid spaces or if your hands or feet are often wet;
- Profuse sweating;
- Choice of clothing, such as socks or shoes that do not allow adequate ventilation and / or sweat absorption;
- Proximity to someone who already has nail fungus, especially if you live with the infected person;
- Having athlete's foot
- Having a minor injury to the nail, skin or some dermatological disease such as psoriasis
- Having diabetes, circulatory problems, or a weak immune system.
Step 3. Recognize the symptoms
Nail fungus has typical symptoms that can help you easily tell if you have this infection. Fungus, yeast or mold infected nail can be:
- Thickened;
- Brittle, crumbly or with a serrated edge;
- Distorted;
- Dull and lackluster;
- Dark in color, which can be the consequence of residues accumulated under the nail;
- Infection can also cause the nail to separate from the nail bed.
Step 4. Observe the changes
Pay close attention to see if any changes in the nail's appearance occur over time. This can help you better understand if you have mycosis and treat it promptly.
- Check for white, yellow, or streaking spots under the nail or along the edges, as these are the first typical signs of infection.
- Look for changes in texture, such as brittleness, thickening, or loss of luster.
- Remove your nail polish at least once a week to get your nails checked. If they are covered with a layer of color, it is not easy to effectively recognize the symptoms of onychomycosis.
Step 5. Pay attention to the pain
As the infection progresses, it can cause pain as well as inflammation of surrounding tissues. If the nail is thickened it can cause pain and it is easier to distinguish mycosis from other disorders, such as ingrown toenails or other conditions.
- Palpate the nail and surrounding areas to locate and identify pain. You can press it gently to see if you feel any pain.
- Make sure that the physical pain is not due to shoes that are too tight, because sometimes this could be the cause of your discomfort.
Step 6. Examine the smell
Dead or dying tissue can build up under the nail or in the space between the nail and the skin, possibly creating a foul odor. The presence of the smell can help you understand if you have mycosis and find the appropriate treatment.
Find out if it is a particularly unpleasant odor that resembles dead or rotting tissue
Step 7. Go to the doctor
If you have the typical symptoms of onychomycosis, you are not sure what the cause is or the steps you have taken to treat yourself have not led to positive results, you need to make an appointment with your doctor. He will examine the nail and can recommend tests to confirm the type of mycosis, so that you can find the right treatment for your specific situation.
- Tell the doctor how long you have had symptoms and describe any pain and odor that your nail causes.
- Let your doctor review it, as it may also be the only type of test needed to confirm the diagnosis.
- The doctor may take some residues under the nail and send them to a laboratory for further investigation, so that the cause of the infection can be determined.
- Be aware that some conditions, such as psoriasis, can have fungal-like nail infections.
Part 2 of 2: Treating Onicomycosis
Step 1. Cut and file your nails
If you keep them short and thin them, you can relieve pain and reduce the pressure on the nails themselves and the nail bed. In this way you allow any type of healing product to better penetrate the nail plate and eradicate the infection.
- Soften your nails before cutting or filing them. To do this, apply urea ointment to the diseased ones and cover them with a bandage; the next morning rinse them to eliminate the product. Follow this procedure until your nails have softened.
- Protect the area around the nail with petroleum jelly.
Step 2. Apply Vicks Vaporub
Studies have shown that this product smeared on nail fungus can help treat the infection. Spread a thin layer of the product every day to kill the fungus.
- Use a cotton swab to apply it to the nail.
- Put it on in the evening and leave it in place overnight; rinse it off the next morning.
- Repeat this process until the infection is gone.
Step 3. Try herbal remedies
There is a variety of evidence that these herbal alternative remedies are effective for treating yeast infections. Two herbal solutions that can kill nail fungus and keep the infection under control are:
- Snake grass extract (derived from the sunflower family). Apply it every three days for a month, twice a week during the following month and once a week in the third month.
- Tea tree oil. Apply it twice a day until the fungus disappears.
Step 4. Use creams and ointments
If you notice white or yellow spots or marks on your nails, apply a specific, over-the-counter or prescription ointment. In severe cases, the doctor will prescribe a topical medication. This way you can stop the infection in its tracks before it spreads and becomes more severe.
- File the nail surface, dip the infected area in water and dry it well before applying the ointment.
- Follow your doctor's instructions and the instructions on the packaging to stop the infection more effectively.
Step 5. Apply medicated nail polish
Your doctor may advise you to coat your nails with a specific nail polish for onychomycosis. This product helps kill the fungi and prevent the infection from spreading.
- Apply ciclopirox based nail polish (Batrafen) on diseased nails once a day for a week; then remove it and repeat the application.
- It will take a year of this treatment to get rid of mycosis.
Step 6. Take oral antifungal medications
Depending on the severity of the nail fungus, your doctor may prescribe this type of medicine. These are active ingredients, such as terbinafine (Lamisil) and itraconazole (Sporanox), which promote the development of new infection-free nail tissue that replaces the one affected by mycosis.
- This treatment lasts 6-12 weeks. Keep in mind that it will take 4 months or more before the infection is cleared.
- These treatments have side effects, such as rashes and liver damage. Tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have before taking oral antifungals.
Step 7. Consider other solutions
If the fungal infection is severe, it may require more invasive treatments. Discuss with your doctor about other possible procedures, such as nail removal or laser therapy to kill the fungus.
- The doctor may decide to remove the nail if the infection is particularly extensive. In this case, know that a new one will grow back within a year.
- Some studies have found that phototherapy and laser therapy can help treat onychomycosis, either individually or in combination with other drugs. Keep in mind that these therapies are not always covered by the NHS and could be expensive.
Step 8. Prevent infection
You can prevent it from spreading or recurring by taking preventative measures to minimize the risk of getting sick. By implementing the following habits you can try to reduce the chances of onychomycosis as much as possible:
- Keep your hands and feet clean and your nails short and dry.
- Wear sweat-absorbing socks;
- Wear footwear that promotes perspiration;
- Throw away your old shoes;
- Apply a spray or powder antifungal inside the footwear;
- Avoid tearing the skin around the nails;
- Always wear footwear when you are in public places;
- Remove nail polish and artificial nails;
- Always wash your hands and feet after touching an infected nail.
