Nail fungus is a common infection that affects both the toenails and fingernails. It occurs when fungi enter the nail area, infecting the skin surrounding the nail. It also infects the nail matrix and nail bed. When the fungus spreads through the nail bed, this part of the nail turns yellow or white. When parts of the nail start to flake off and debris starts to collect underneath the nail, the nail itself may start to crumble, split, or separate from the nail bed. The infected nail may appear thicker and may cause pain and discomfort when wearing shoes, apart from looking unsightly. Nail fungus is technically known as onychomycosis. This condition is more prevalent among people who are older than 60 and those who suffer from diabetes.
Common Signs of Nail Fungus
Aside from the symptoms stated above, the following are additional ones that will tell you if you have a nail fungus infection: nails that are thicker than usual, the spread of discoloration at the tips of the nails, nails with ragged edges that tend to crumble, distorted nails, and a slightly foul odor coming from the infected nail.
Common Causes
Most nail fungal infections are caused by fungi that belong to the group called dermatophytes. From time to time, yeasts and molds may also trigger a nail infection. Several factors may increase the possibility of developing a nail fungal infection. These include being older, having diabetes or a weakened immune system, having a skin infection like psoriasis, and walking barefoot around public swimming pools and locker rooms, among many others.
Common Treatments
It can be tricky to treat a nail fungal infection, but there are several remedies to choose from. Your doctor will be able to prescribe an oral nail fungus treatment which must be taken for several months. Moreover, the doctor may also prescribe a topical antifungal in the form of nail lacquer or cream that can be applied directly to the infected nail.
1All about Moringa Peregrina
Moringa is the only genus of the Moringaceae family that has 13 species which are all distributed in several tropical and subtropical regions. Among the many species, Moringa peregrina is one of those species that exhibits a broad range of industrial, traditional, nutritional, and medicinal values. The different parts of the plant have several applications in folk medicine as a remedy for different health issues. Aside from its medicinal value, moringa peregrina, or moringa in general also has spiritual, cultural, and religious relevance, particularly for the people of the Arabian Peninsula.
Nutritional Value
Any of the species of moringa contains the following compounds which are valuable to health: vitamin A, vitamin B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin) and B-6, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and folate and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Moringa also has a low fat content and zero cholesterol.
Moringa, in general, is a nutrient-rich superfood that comes from the moringa oleifera tree. This has been used for several centuries in many Eastern cultures as a remedy for various ailments. Even modern research suggests that moringa has the capacity to reduce cholesterol levels, regulate blood sugar, and alleviate other health concerns.
Moringa powder is usually added to different food items such as nutrition bars, smoothies, energy bars, or even teas. Moringa oil is often used for hair as well as skin care.
As an Antifungal or Antimicrobial
In a study, the leaves, seeds, and flowers of the moringa were extracted by means of water, ethanol, and ether. These were tested for their antifungal activity with the use of the macrodilution method. The extracts were tested for their inhibitory activity against 16 fungal isolates which are Madurella mycetomatis, Aspergillus flavus, Trichophyton rubrum, A. fumigatus, one dermatophyte, A .terreus, C. parapsilosis, A. niger, C. krusei, Candida albicans, and C. glabrata. It was found out in the study that the best extract was seed alcohol and seed water.
Another study revealed a much higher level of activity on the part of cold pressed oil against all the tested pathogenic organisms such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans.
Other Health Benefits
Besides all the aforementioned health benefits of the moringa tree, the following are some other benefits offered by this super tree:
Helps with Diabetes
According to research, moringa has the ability to eliminate diabetes since it balances blood sugar as well as reduces all the associated complications to it. It may not be clear how this happens as of now. Among the popular theories around is that it increases the production of insulin. This is based on a small clinical study in 2016. In the study, healthy volunteers were given 4 grams of moringa leaf powder each. They had shown to improve insulin circulation and reduce blood sugar levels too.
Helps with Weight Loss
Moringa has always been known to be effective for weight loss. But only a few studies are available to support this. According to some research, this is known to help with metabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of symptoms including abdominal obesity. It has also been investigated as an aid for weight loss when combined with other herbs.
A clinical trial involving 140 overweight adults was administered a combination of Moringa oleifera, Moringa oleifera, and Murraya koeingii coupled with sufficient physical exercise and calorie restriction. They showed a lower body-mass index (BMI) by around 2 points.
Protects and Nourishes the Hair and Skin
The moringa seed oil is highly beneficial in providing hair protection against free radicals, making it healthy and clean. Moringa is also known to possess protein, which makes it useful in protecting one’s skin cells from damage. It is also rich in detoxifying and hydrating elements, which can help boost one’s hair and skin. It is also helpful in treating sores and skin infections.
Helps Treat Anemia and Sickle Cell Disease
Moringa can help a person’s body to easily absorb iron, which increases the body’s red blood cell count. The plant extract is believed to help in treating and preventing anemia as well as sickle cell disease.
Improves Eye Health
Moringa possesses properties that help improve eyesight. This is due to its high antioxidant content. Moringa is capable of stopping the dilation of retinal vessels. It also prevents the thickening of capillary membranes as well as inhibits retinal dysfunction.
