Once your nails start to become brittle and crumbly, this may be because of a nail fungal infection. Big toenails are often the most affected while the fingernails are less commonly affected. This condition is quite challenging to fight off. Toenails grow quite slowly, and this is why treatment takes a long time and requires a lot of patience.
Symptoms
One sign of nail fungus is whitish, yellowish, or greenish discoloration of the nail. The nail may also become brittle, crumbly, thicker, and distorted in shape. Sometimes the nail becomes painful too. The infected part of the nail is likely to detach from the nail bed as well. Fungal nail infections are also known as onychomycosis.
Causes
This nail infection is often caused by fungi that infect the skin, the most common of these are known as dermatophytes. However, these are sometimes caused by yeasts and molds. Yeast infections often occur on the fingernails. Most people who have nail fungus infections also suffer from athlete’s foot.
Risk Factors
No studies have established yet the risks of getting infected with nail fungus, but the following are known as risk factors: damaged nails, wearing tight shoes, having certain skin conditions like psoriasis, having a weakened immune system, frequent contact with an infected surface, genetic predisposition, having circulation problems in the legs as a result of a condition like diabetes.
Diagnosis
The fungal nail infection symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other health conditions like psoriasis. This is why the doctor often asks for a nail sample which will be sent to a lab for fungal culture. This will determine the pathogen that caused the infection.
Treatments
Nail fungus can be treated topically using over-the-counter medications, often colorless nail polishes. Oral antifungals are often prescribed by doctors especially when several nails are affected. Most often these pills contain itraconazole or terbinafine. The choice of nail fungus treatment relies on the cause of the infection, its severity, and many other factors.
1Types of Black-Eyed Peas
Black-eyed peas are available in two forms: fresh and dried. The fresh beans are pale green and possess an eye-like pattern found in the middle. They have an earthy taste. On the other hand, the dried beans are beige to brown and also have an eye-like pattern in the middle. They taste milder than the fresh beans and have a starchy texture.
As an Antifungal / Antimicrobial
In a study published in the South African Journal of Botany, the acetone and ethanol extracts of cowpeas were studied for their antimicrobial properties against various bacterial and fungal pathogens which include Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Enterobacter cloacae, and B. subtilis. Cowpea seeds were also evaluated for their antifungal potential in another study. It was established that they have antifungal properties against Penicillium expansum, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium culmorum.
Other Health Benefits
Due to their great nutritional profile, black-eyed peas are loaded with lots of health benefits which include the following:
Helps with weight loss
These beans are loaded with fiber and protein, which can help a lot for weight loss. Around 100 grams of black-eyed peas contain 24 grams of protein along with 11 grams of fiber. This is why consuming these beans may help you become fuller and eliminate feelings of hunger.
Boosts the Immune System
Black-eyed peas contain a lot of nutrients and minerals that can strengthen the body’s immune system. Some of the nutrients that are found in large amounts in these beans are zinc, iron, copper, and magnesium. All these nutrients help boost the body’s immune system. Copper, for instance, helps in producing white blood cells.
Helps support a healthy heart
Black-eyed beans have phytosterols which can help bring down the body’s cholesterol levels. Phytosterols are anticancer, and they make sure that your heart is in a good working condition. Other studies have shown that eating legumes regularly is associated with reduced inflammation in the body, which in turn can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Aids in diabetes management
The best way for a diabetic patient to manage the condition is to make sure that the body’s sugar level is in check all the time. Adding these beans to your regular diet may help to keep your blood sugar in control. This is primarily because of its fiber content.
Great for brain health
Another great benefit of black-eyed beans is their capacity to improve brain health. Such beans are loaded with thiamine, which is useful for the normal functioning of the body’s nervous system. Thiamine plays a major role in many bodily functions. The body uses thiamine to convert nutrients into energy. It also ensures the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system.
Supports bone health
Black-eyed beans are packed with lots of copper, phosphorus, and calcium. All these strengthen the bones and prevent osteoporosis. This is important for women after childbirth since calcium is depleted after giving birth which may result in osteoporosis. This makes the bone weak. Black-eyed beans are loaded in phosphorus and calcium, which both strengthen the bone and allow you to stay active even as you age.
Helps reduce indigestion
Black-eyed beans can help to avoid indigestion because of their high soluble fiber content. A great source of fiber can help eliminate many gut issues, even some debilitating diseases. By keeping your gut in check all the time, you can avoid experiencing indigestion.
