All About Toenail Fungus Treatment

To understand toenail fungus treatment, it is necessary to study the nature of this condition first. Toenail fungus, also known as Onychomycosis, is an infection caused by Dermatophytes which builds up mostly behind the nail beds. Fungal growth behind the distal edge of the nail plate makes it structurally out of reach. Signs and symptoms may vary depending on severity and are usually evident on the big toe and the pinky toe.

There are plenty factors that can contribute to this condition but most cases usually come down to two: moisture and poor hygiene. As you know, damp and temperate locations usually foster the growth of most microorganisms. In addition, fungal infections can effortlessly transfer from one host to another by means of simple contact. Being careless with personal hygiene can put you at risk for acquiring this infection from affected persons.

You can actually use things found around your home to treat your condition such as Listerine mouthwash, tea tree oil, and apple cider vinegar. These solutions contain ingredients that can kill fungus. For effective results, immerse your feet for about 20-30 minutes once or twice everyday. Alpha Hydroxy Acid cream can also help get rid of dead skin cells that may be full of microorganisms. This should be massaged on your feet at night time, before sleeping.

If traditional methods fail, there are always medical procedures that will be available to treat the infection. One of which is by the use of laser. Here, a laser light will be targeted at the affected area, causing the infectious organisms to be destroyed. This course of therapy usually entails around three 20-minute sessions to produce the final effects. Being a more advanced option, it will typically give you faster and more reliable results.

As an adjunct to conventional and medical therapies, you can support your body in fighting skin infections through the food you eat. It is advisable to have adequate oral intake of foods rich in protein, vitamin C, vitamin E, and probiotics. These will boost your immune system and help your body form new skin cells. You should keep in mind, however, that diet is only a supportive treatment. There is no direct connection between diet and fungal skin infections.

Once you have treated your condition, it is just as important to learn how to make sure that it doesn’t occur again. Remember that one of the causes of toenail fungus is humidity. To resolve this, make sure to have on cotton socks when wearing rubber shoes. Also, you can expose your feet with open-toed sandals to give them a break from closed footwear. It is also essential to trim your toenails short when needed and to keep your feet free from moisture.

As mentioned earlier, another common reason for getting this infection is poor hygienic practices. You should always be conscious of the things you use on yourself such as nail care tools and linens. These objects, if used by infected persons, can carry around different microorganisms that could cause contamination. Also, it would be safer to wear slippers when stepping into public showers to make sure that you are protecting yourself.

Conclusively, the effectiveness of toenail fungus treatments vary from person to person. It would be wise to try the different suggestions while assisting your body’s immune system to combat the infection. Lastly, you should always remember that the best therapy is actual prevention.

Marie is a foot health expert specializing in home remedies for toenail fungus.