Nail infections are caused by a nail fungus. This may appear in fingernails and toenails, but this is more common in toenails. Another name for this nail condition is onychomycosis.
Symptoms
Symptoms of this infection affect the appearance of the nails, and these include the following: nail discoloration (nail turns yellow or white), crumbly and brittle nail, thickened nail, nail separating from the nail bed, nail with ragged edges, and pain when the infection becomes severe. Some people with nail fungal infections suffer from athlete’s foot, and the infection may also affect the skin surrounding the nails.
Causes
A nail infection occurs when a nail is exposed to the fungus. Fungi often grow in moist and wet environments. Fungus is more likely to grow in your feet when they are warm and sweaty. This enters the nail by a crack in any of the nails. Nail fungal infections may occur in people of any age. But these become more common in people who are older than 60. These are also more common in people who suffer from diabetes and a lot of circulation problems and people who suffer from a weakened immune system. Men are more prone to nail infections than women.
Diagnosis
The doctor is more likely to check the nails and ask questions about the symptoms. A nail sample may be gathered and sent to a lab to determine the microorganism that caused the infection.
Treatments
To make sure that the infection can be treated, doctors recommend prescription medicines. The most aggressive of these are oral antifungal pills, which help the nail grow. This must be taken for 6 to 12 weeks. These may not be recommended for those who have liver problems and a history of congestive heart failure. You have to inform the doctor if you suffer from any of such conditions for the doctor to be able to choose the right medication. Topical nail treatments may also be recommended by the doctor as an alternative nail fungus treatment.
1All about Boswellia
Boswellia is also called Indian frankincense. This is a herbal extract that comes from the Boswellia serrata tree. This name refers to both the herb and the huge tree which is native to parts of Pakistan and India. In both Asian and African folk medicine, the resin from the Boswellia extract has been used as traditional medicine for several centuries. It is a popular treatment for chronic inflammatory illnesses and several other health conditions. Boswellia comes in the form of a cream, pill, or resin.
When the gum resin is extracted from the tree, this is most often burned and used for aromatic purposes and also for medical applications. Boswellia serrata is also an essential element in Ayurvedic medicine. It is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties as well as other types of health benefits.
When it comes to more formal applications, the resin is left to harden on its own. This may then be processed to become beverages, soaps, supplements, cosmetics, and others. All of these are known for their efficiency to deliver great health benefits for various users. You may find this herbal concoction sold in natural health stores and also from seasoned herbalists. Boswellia serrata is a great source of boswellic acid and different terpenes which can have a lot of effects on the body.
As an Antifungal and Antimicrobial
The Boswellia serrata essential oil among nine essential oils exhibited superior antimicrobial effects against microorganisms that are often linked to nail, skin, and scalp infections namely Malassezia spp, Trichophyton spp, Candida albicans, and Propionibacterium acnes. Based on a study, Boswellia serrata showed a major composition of sabinene, α thujene, and ρ cymene. Because of these broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects of Boswellia serrata oil, the oil makes it a great candidate for topical treatment of the aforementioned microorganisms.
Other Health Benefits
Boswellia can be used as an essential oil as well as incense that you have to burn. You can also find this oil in cosmetics, drinks, food, and soaps. According to research, the following are some of the health benefits of boswellia.
Helps with skin health
The nature of this known herb is somewhat limited to this herb’s active ingredients such as the boswellic acid. It also contains several antioxidant properties that can support skin health. This is why this has been used as a natural treatment for skin inflammation and irritation in Ayurvedic medicine. This has also been known to help improve the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and blemishes, and it also improves the skin’s elasticity.
Helps with osteoarthritis
In a 2014 research review, experts analyzed the tests done on herbs intended for osteoarthritis. The researchers discovered that boswellia could reduce pain and improve the physical function of the body compared to a placebo.
Helps reduce stress
According to anecdotal evidence from the Ayurvedic tradition, boswellia may reduce anxiety and levels of chronic stress hormones within the body when burned as an aromatic compound. This is due to the presence of triterpenes within the body. Their presence could impact the release and production of key neurotransmitters within the body.
Hormone imbalance
All varieties of boswellia especially when used as an extract or essential oil form are believed to have the capacity to rebalance the hormones of the body. This may help regulate one’s mood and stress levels and strengthen the body’s immune system. The severity of menstruation is reduced by boswellia, and it also improves the body’s energy metabolism.
Asthma remedy
A small 2015 study revealed that boswellia may lessen the need for people with asthma to use an inhaler. This was based on a study done on people with mild to severe asthma. These people either used asthma inhalers that contain an oral Boswellia supplement if not the inhaler alone.
After four weeks, those who used the Boswellia supplement required less inhaler use compared to those who didn’t.
Prevents headaches
Headaches are some type of inflammation. Swollen capillaries in the head area particularly near the temples are often the main cause of headaches and migraines. Research done on this Ayurvedic herb has revealed that this can quickly as well as consistently relieve the pain caused by headaches in the majority of patients.
