স্বাস্থ্য টিপ

Also known as onychomycosis, nail fungus is an infection that can affect more than one nails at once. In most cases, nail fungus are a type of skin infection that occurs when yeast or mold invades the skin around or under the nails.
To treat nail fungus with home remedies or over-the-counter medicine is possible but before that one must understand the causes and the types of nail fungus that he or she suffers from.

Types of Nail Fungus

Nail fungus attacks nail plates and beds and with time it can lead to nail discoloration and also nail hardening. There are more than one type of nail fungus:
Distal Subungual Onychomycosis or DSO
Considered one of the most common types of nail fungal infection, the condition refers to fungus invasion into the nail bed and also on the underside of the nail plate. If untreated, DSO can lead to full discoloration and thickening of the nail plate.

Candida Onychomycosis
This is a yeast infection which mainly affects nails that is exposed to water for a long period of time. Symptoms include discoloration and inflamed skin around the nails.

White Superficial Onychomycosis or WSO
One of the lesser-known nail fungal infection, WSO affects the nail plate and leads to white discoloration of the nails. Also, if suffering from this condition one can experience drying and crumbling of nails.

Causes of Nail Fungus
Though it can go undetected, nail fungus can affect immune system of the patient if left untreated. To prevent it from occurring, one must understand the most popular causes of nail fungal infection. A few of the most popular causes of nail fungus are listed below:

 If one is suffering from restrictive blood flow and weak immune system then one is susceptible to nail fungus. Also, health disorders such as diabetes and poor blood circulation can lead to infections such as the nail fungus.


Skin Moisture
If you work around water then you are susceptible to getting nail infections. So, if your nails are exposed to water for long periods of time then it is best to wipe off the moisture regularly and try and keep the skin around the nails as dry as possible.

Unsanitary Manicure/Pedicure Kit
If you use nail equipments that are not cleaned properly then you are prone to develop nail fungus. So, the best thing is to clean the equipments thoroughly and make sure you do not share it with someone who has nail fungus.

Tea Tree Oil

Application of the oil onto the infected nails can help in eliminating the condition. It not only fights off the infection but it also helps in nail growth.

Bleach

Known to kill the fungus that is causing the nail infection, bleach can be used after the nails are washed with warm water. Doing this one a daily basis can help treat the infection effectively and immediately.

Apple Cider Vinegar

To treat nail fungus one can make a nail soak using water, lavender oil, and apple cider vinegar. For best results, soak the infected nails for at least 20 minutes daily and it can treat the infection.

Menthol Rubs

Most houses have menthol rubs in our house cabinets and you can use it to treat nail fungus effectively. You can use Vicks or other mentholated rubs that can be used to kill the fungus causing the infection. While checking into menthol rubs for your nail fungus, opt for rubs that have three ingredients – eucalyptus, camphor, and menthol.

Oregano Oil

Dilute oregano oil by mixing it with olive oil and use it to directly apply onto the infected nail. When done on a daily basis, oregano oil will help eliminate the infection from its root.

Iodine

Known to be one of the most effective forms of treating nail fungus, iodine is most effective when it is directly applied onto the nails. The key is to apply a thin layer of iodine onto the nail and leave it on for a short timeframe. To avoid staining clothes, one can also bandage the nails and leave it on before washing off the iodine.

Nail Scrubbing

Effective treatment of nail fungus is possible if the patient washes and scrubs the nails as regularly as possible. Scrubbing disallows the development of fungus or other infection in and around the nails; hence, soak and scrub the nails on a regular basis and you can fight off nail fungal infection.