IN THIS ISSUE

1. Not all Nails are fungal

2. What Other Conditions can be mistaken for Nail Fungus

3. What do Fungal Nails Look Like?

4. Where does Nail Fungus come from?

5. Is Nail Fungus Contagious?

6. Symptoms of Nail Fungus

7. Expectations (Prognosis)

8. Complications

9. Prevention

10. Questions and Answers About Nail Fungus

Nail Fungus

"Tho the world may be a jungle, Not all funny nails are fungal." Anonymous

People find funny-looking nails embarrassing, at least in part because everyone, from doctors to manicurists, more or less automatically calls them "fungus" (fungal nails). This makes them sound contagious and as if they are caused by poor hygiene.

The first thing to realize about fungal nails, therefore, is that if you think you have them, there is a fair-to-middling chance you don't.

What other conditions can be mistaken for fungal nails?

Here are some other conditions you may have instead of fungal nails:

Lines and ridges -- These are common and may be considered normal.

Whitish or yellowish nails -- due to onycholysis.

This means separation of the nail from the nail bed. The color you see is air. The treatment is to trim the nail short, don't clean under it, polish if you want to hide the color, and wait 2 to 3 months.

Red or black nails -- due to a hematoma, or blood under the nail, usually from trauma (like whacking yourself on the thumb with a hammer). Goes away by itself.

Green nails -- caused by pseudomonas bacteria, which live silently under many nails minding their own business. This bacteria grows under a nail that has partially separated from the nail bed, thereby producing a green pigment. No antibiotics are needed. The treatment is to trim the nail short, don't clean it, polish if you want to hide the color, and wait 2 to 3 months.

Pitted nails -- May be associated with psoriasis or other skin problems that affect the nail matrix, the area under the skin just behind the nail. This is the area from which the nail grows. Swelling and redness of the skin around the nail -- called Paronychia. This condition occurs when yeast infects a damaged cuticle.

What do fungal nails look like?

There are many species of fungi that can affect nails. By far the most common, however, is called Trichophyton rubrum. This type of fungus that has a tendency to infect the skin (dermatophyte) and shows itself in the following specific and even peculiar ways, which are as striking as they are hard to explain.The "moccasin" distribution. Fungal toenails are almost always accompanied by fine scaling which extends a little ways up the sides of the foot, like a little fungal bootie. Many people ignore this as "dry skin," which leads to the ironic situation that while some people think they have fungus when they don't, others think they don't have fungus when they do!

Feet first!

For some reason, fungus rarely affects the hands unless the feet are involved first.

Two feet - one hand. Even stranger is the striking tendency of fungus to affect only one hand at a time. If one or more nails are yellowish and crumbly on one hand but not on the other -- and both feet are involved -- fungus is likely. Otherwise, this fungus is less likely to be the culprit.

http://antiagingchoices.com/nail_fungus/looks_like.htm

Where does fungus come from?

So entrenched is the belief that you catch fungus from shower floors, locker rooms, swimming pools, and the unhygienic people who use them, that it seems almost a shame to point out that to a large extent it isn't so. Fungi are everywhere -- in the air, the dust, and the soil. The fungi carried on the coats of pets, like cats and dogs, don't often cause nail fungus. Hygienic measures such as spraying socks and footgear sound sensible and perhaps these measures can even help a little bit. However, avoiding tight, non-breathing shoes, or steering clear of athletic floors may very well be more trouble than they're worth. Wearing white socks also does not help. Daily washing of the feet and drying between the toes can help to prevent nail fungus.

One thing is sure, though: once fungus gets a foothold, so to speak, it hangs around indefinitely and often recurs even after successful treatment. Even people who usually resist infections quite well have an immunologic "Achilles Heel," which allows fungus to become entrenched.

Is nail fungus contagious?

No. Nail fungus is so common that finding more than one person in a household who has it is hardly more than a coincidence.

The nails of our fingers and toes are tremendously effective barriers. This barrier makes it quite difficult for a superficial infection to invade the nail. Once an infection has set up residence, the same barrier that was so effective in protecting us against infection now works against us, making it difficult to treat the infection.

Fungus rarely invades an intact nail. Usually, there is some kind of trauma such as injury to the area, from biting off or picking a hangnail, or from manipulating, trimming, or pushing back the cuticle.

Prolonged wetness can also allow the barrier to be breached. Sometimes a prolonged athlete's foot condition can even breach an intact nail. Usually, it is some combination of these methods. Fungal infections can also be a problem for people wearing acrylic nails. This happens because the fungus becomes trapped next to the natural nail in a warm, dark, moist environment for a prolonged period of time. Long-term bandages over the nails can have the same effect.

Fungal nails usually begin with an opaque white or silvery area at the distal (outside) edge of a nail. The fungus gradually works its way inward. As the fungus grows, the nail thickens and can become quite painful.

Fungi are tiny plants that survive by eating plant or animal material.The fungi feed on keratin -- the material found in the outer layer of skin, hair, and nails. These fungi thrive best on skin that is moist, hot, and hidden from the light. When this infection is found on the feet, it is commonly called athlete's foot; when it is found in the groin it is commonly called jock itch; when it is found on the nails it is called nail fungus and when it is found on the body it is called ringworm. Up to 20 percent of the population has one of these infections at any given moment.

Symptoms of Nail Fungus

Nails grow slowly, so even if treatment is successful, a new, clearer nail may take up to one year to replace the old nail.

Expectations (prognosis) 

Having realistic expectations about how long it will take to get rid of nail fungus is as important as following the instructions. Even if your nails start to look better, continue your treatment. If you don’t see improvement right away, don’t despair! Nails need time to grow out as they heal.

Finger nails grow out faster than toenails, in about five and a half months. But, a toenail can take two to three times as long (12 to 18 months) to grow out completely. The wait is worth it – your aim is nails that look good and are clear of infection.

Fungal nail infections may be difficult to treat and may become a reservoir for fungal organisms, causing them to return in the skin or nails. The fungal nail infection is cured by the growth of new, non-infected nails. Even with successful treatment, a relapse is common.

Complications

Permanent damage to the nails

Secondary skin infections, including Paronychia. Paronychia is a superficial infection of the skin around the nails, most commonly caused by staphylococcus bacteria or fungi. Paronychia is a fairly common superficial infection of the skin around the nail. Recurrent fungal infections of the nails or other parts of the body. Once fungus gets into the nails, it is very difficult to treat. Removal of the nail will not get rid of onychomycosis. When the new nail grows in, it almost always becomes re-infected.

Prevention

Good general health and hygiene help to prevent fungal infections.

• Keep the skin clean and dry.

• Take proper care of the nails.

• Wash and dry the hands thoroughly after contact with any fungal infection

Healthy Nail Blend – The #1 natural home remedy for nail fungus – is ready to use – includes 7 powerful therapeutic essential oils including oregano essential oil, Australian tea tree essential oil.

For more information about Healthy Nail Blend go to  http://antiagingchoices.com/Aromatherapy/healthy_nail.htm

Questions and Answers About Nail Fungus

Q. I consider myself to be a clean person. How come I still get nail fungus?
A: This is a very common infection. And, cleanliness doesn't always mean you can avoid nail fungus. A family history of infections or a health condition, like diabetes, could be the cause. Fungal infections thrive on moisture and closeness. Be careful to dry your feet and toes thoroughly after bathing consider using a blow dryer on a low setting to dry the folds around your toes). Make sure your shoes fit properly; don't wear the same ones every day.

Q: I've tried all kinds of medications; nothing seems to work.
A: Nail fungal infections are difficult to treat. Medication needs to reach all the nail areas where the fungus may hide. Damaged nails are also subject to re-infection. Since it takes many months for a healthy nail to grow out, it is important to stick to your treatment program.

Q. How can I keep from getting nail infections?
A: There's a handy list of prevention suggestions below. Just remember to keep nail areas clean and dry, avoid walking barefoot in public places, change your footwear frequently and tell your doctor about any nail changes, swelling or pain.

Q: My infection isn't so bad; no one even knows I have it. Besides, I don't care whether I can wear sandals. So, what's the big deal?
A: Your mild case of nail fungus (onychomycosis) could turn severe and cause nail chipping and loss on more or more toes, making treatment more complicated -- you may have to have the nail chemically or surgically removed -- and giving you more than a cosmetic problem. Losing a toenail can expose soft toe tissue to injury and affect daily activities.

Nail Care Tips

Easy Steps Can Avoid a Path to Infection

Here are some general suggestions about caring for your hands and feet to help you avoid most nail infections. While being treated for nail fungal infections, start a nail care routine that can help keep nails free from other infections and disorders.

• Trim nails carefully by cutting them straight across and rounded slightly at the tips.

• Keep them clean and dry so fungi and bacteria can't get under the nails.

• Soak toenails if they are thick or difficult to cut If you are diabetic, you may need a health care professional to help with trimming diseased nails.

• Tell your doctor about any nail changes, swelling or pain.

TOENAILS

• Avoid injuring and irritating the toes and nails by wearing protective shoes at work and at other times, such as when playing sports.

• Avoid going barefoot in health clubs, public showers, locker rooms or on hotel carpets-use thong sandals

• Keep feet cool and dry; if they sweat a lot, regularly use a medicated powder.

• Avoid narrow or high-heeled shoes, or shoes that don't fit properly.

• Air shoes out daily and switch them often; clean hosiery and socks thoroughly

• Don't ignore athlete's foot infections -- get them treated as soon as possible.

• Regularly treat the insides of shoes with antifungal spray or powder.

Shoe Disinfectant and Deodorizer

• Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons cornstarch or Arrowroot

• 4 tablespoons baking soda

• 20 drops Tea Tree therapeutic essential oils

• 10 drops Lemon therapeutic essential oils

• 10 drops Lavender therapeutic essential oils

Put the cornstarch and baking soda in a zip lock sandwich bag – add the essential oils slowly – close the bag and mix until the oils and dry ingredients are mixed well.

 Instructions for Use:

Sprinkle the deodorizer lightly into shoes in the evenings or at times when the shoes will not be worn for a few hours. You will not see a "cure" for smelly shoes the first time you use the deodorizer. The magic occurs after regular uses.

You can also use the same oils in 2 oz of distilled water and spray your shoes. These oils have anti-bacterial, antiseptic, anti-fungal properties. Shake the bottle before each use.

 You may also use these oils in a footbath.

FINGERNAILS

Avoid injuring and irritating the fingers and nails by wearing gloves or other protection at work and at other times, such as when gardening or using strong cleaners. If you use plastic gloves you may consider using the oils above in the powder.

Bring your own equipment when having nails manicured; use different nail care tools for infected and healthy nails. Use acrylic or sculptured nails with caution.

 For more information about Nail Fungus or Healthy Nail Blend go to

http://antiagingchoices.com/nail_fungus/index.htm  or
http://antiagingchoices.com/Aromatherapy/healthy_nail.htm 

Does your family use personal care products that contain these potentially harmful ingredients?