Toenail fungus infection is that infection caused by fungus around the toenails. It is known medically as onychomycosis. The actual location of the infection is underneath the nail plate and on the nail bed. This is caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes as well as yeasts and molds. Fungus feeds on the keratin found on the nail surface. It commonly affects the big and little toes.
Symptoms of the Nail Fungal Infection
Nail fungal infections often have the following signs and symptoms: nails that become yellow or brown, pain around the infected area, nails become crumbly and brittle and they tend to lift off the nail bed. You can also find debris under the nails.
Factors That Contribute to the Infection
Nail fungal infection is more prevalent in people who are above 60 years old. Fungus thrives in a warm and moist environment. That’s why people who are always in public pools, showers, and locker rooms are more prone to fungus infection. The infection is also more likely to occur in people who are always wearing closed shoes. People who have diabetes, HIV/AIDS, or other immunosuppressive conditions are more susceptible to nail fungus infections.
Treatment for Nail Fungal Infection
It’s not necessary to see a doctor right away when you notice signs of nail fungal infection. You have several options for a nail fungus treatment to use. However, diabetics who experience foot and nail fungus problems must see their physicians to avoid developing foot ulcers. For a proper diagnosis including the specific fungus that causes the infection, the doctor often scrapes the debris under the nail or clip the nail and look at it under a microscope or send it to a lab for fungal culture.
You have the best shot at treating nail fungus infection by taking oral antifungal pills. The most common ones are fluconazole, terbinafine, and itraconazole. These may cause liver problems and may have adverse effects on the blood cell counts. Blood tests are often conducted before the start of treatment. You also have to look out for any possible side effects while under treatment. When you have a stubborn nail fungal infection, surgical nail removal is often required by the doctor whether it is only a part or the total removal of the nail.
There are also home remedies for nail fungal infections. These are more natural and have no side effects. Examples of these natural remedies include apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, oregano and olive oil, onions, ginger, turmeric, and others.
2Potato as a Natural Treatment for Nail Fungal Infection
Potatoes naturally have antifungal properties as well as bleaching agents that help eliminate fungal infections. To get rid of any fungal infection, just peel and grate half of a small potato. Add a spoonful of turmeric and mix thoroughly. Apply the paste created to the infected nail. Let it stay there for at least eight hours and then wash it off with warm water and dry your feet. Doing this not only gets rid of the fungus; it also restores the original color of the nail.
Modern medicine has won the battle against infections through the discovery of antibiotics. Today, there are concerns that the widespread use of antibiotics has created bacteria that resist their powerful effects. A new study showed that a gentler manner of stopping the infection without causing antibiotic resistance is to make the antibiotics unable to cause infections in the first place. This is where potato holds a major role.
Potato has been used in traditional medicine as a natural remedy for various illnesses since ancient times before it started being consumed as food. According to researchers, a potato has a substance that prevents the invasion of bacteria from attaching to vulnerable cells in the human body. Other studies revealed that there are also naturally occurring chemicals in potatoes that prevent such attachment.
