NAIL fungus can make you self-conscious and frustrated. Don't ignore it. A nail that is harbouring a fungus is thickened and looks white or yellow. It pulls away from the pink area at the side of or outer edge. Fungus targets the nail itself, the dry folds at the nail's base and the surrounding healthy skin. You don't need to be in close contact with someone who has it to get it. It is a microscopic organism, festering in your environment.
First the fungus may invade the protective layer of dead cells coating your toes, resulting in athlete's foot. Then it can move into the nails. It is said that frequent, sweaty workouts in hot closed shoes helps fungus get a foot-hold. A bump that causes a nail bruise can be an entry for fungus infection. That bruise creates a fungus-friendly pocket between the nail and nail bed. Once a nail is infected it can go to the others from big toe then spread from nail to nail, then foot to foot and sometimes to the hand. It is not known why but one hand always escapes infection.
The experts think that people who have nail fungus have an immune-system defect that makes them easy prey for the parasite. So after getting a successful treatment, don't think it can't happen again; take care of your nails to keep fungus from taking charge.
Tips for healthy feet to have healthy nails:
After your bath you must dry between your toes with a towel. You can also aim a hair dryer, set on cool, between your toes to dry them completely.
-- Change your socks at least twice daily if you are a man. For women change your stockings daily. Carry an extra pair in your handbag to work.
-- Men can sprinkle foot powder into socks. Don't use the ones with cornstarch, the experts think it feeds fungus.
-- When at home, go barefoot or wear just socks whenever you can.
-- In the summer time, wear open toed shoes or sandals.
-- Well ventilated shoes would be good when possible.
-- If shoes should get soaked in the rain, make sure they are thoroughly dried or wear another pair.
-- After your workout, change out of your damp sweaty socks and shoes right away.`-- Wear dry gloves when gardening or doing other dirty chores. Use a pair of socks in rubber gloves to absorb perspiration.`-- Wear sandals or thongs when walking around gym showers or swimming pools.
-- Avoid plastic shoes and those made to keep water out. They trap perspiration and create a warm, moist spot for athlete's foot to grow.
-- If possible don't wear the same shoes two days in a row. If your feet perspire heavily, change shoes twice a day.
-- Keep shoes dry and clean by dusting inside frequently with antifungal powder or spray. It is also said to spray some disinfectant like Lysol on a rag and wipe out the insides of your shoes. This will kill off any fungus or spores living there. Do this every time you take off your shoes.
-- Air and sun your shoes all the time.
What is a fungus? Any one of a class of vegetable organisms of a low order of development. They are parasites.
Care your cuticle. Do this when the skin is soft after your shower or bath. Don't cut your nails at this time, if you do you will find that drying shrinks the skin, pulling into the nail.
NAIL FUNGUS
NAIL fungus can make you self-conscious and frustrated. Don't ignore it. A nail that is harbouring a fungus is thickened and looks white or yellow. It pulls away from the pink area at the side of or outer edge. Fungus targets the nail itself, the dry folds at the nail's base and the surrounding healthy skin. You don't need to be in close contact with someone who has it to get it. It is a microscopic organism, festering in your environment.
First the fungus may invade the protective layer of dead cells coating your toes, resulting in athlete's foot. Then it can move into the nails. It is said that frequent, sweaty workouts in hot closed shoes helps fungus get a foot-hold. A bump that causes a nail bruise can be an entry for fungus infection. That bruise creates a fungus-friendly pocket between the nail and nail bed. Once a nail is infected it can go to the others from big toe then spread from nail to nail, then foot to foot and sometimes to the hand. It is not known why but one hand always escapes infection.
The experts think that people who have nail fungus have an immune-system defect that makes them easy prey for the parasite. So after getting a successful treatment, don't think it can't happen again; take care of your nails to keep fungus from taking charge.
Tips for healthy feet to have healthy nails:
After your bath you must dry between your toes with a towel. You can also aim a hair dryer, set on cool, between your toes to dry them completely.
Change your socks at least twice daily if you are a man. For women change your stockings daily. Carry an extra pair in your handbag to work.
Men can sprinkle foot powder into socks. Don't use the ones with cornstarch, the experts think it feeds fungus.
When at home, go barefoot or wear just socks whenever you can.
In the summer time, wear open toed shoes or sandals.
Well ventilated shoes would be good when possible.
If shoes should get soaked in the rain, make sure they are thoroughly dried or wear another pair.
After your workout, change out of your damp sweaty socks and shoes right away.
Wear dry gloves when gardening or doing other dirty chores. Use a pair of socks in rubber gloves to absorb perspiration.`-- Wear sandals or thongs when walking around gym showers or swimming pools.
Avoid plastic shoes and those made to keep water out. They trap perspiration and create a warm, moist spot for athlete's foot to grow.
If possible don't wear the same shoes two days in a row. If your feet perspire heavily, change shoes twice a day.
Keep shoes dry and clean by dusting inside frequently with antifungal powder or spray. It is also said to spray some disinfectant like Lysol on a rag and wipe out the insides of your shoes. This will kill off any fungus or spores living there. Do this every time you take off your shoes.
Air and sun your shoes all the time.
What is a fungus? Any one of a class of vegetable organisms of a low order of development. They are parasites.
Care your cuticle. Do this when the skin is soft after your shower or bath. Don't cut your nails at this time, if you do you will find that drying shrinks the skin, pulling into the nail.
