Nail fungal infections may affect any body part. Fungi usually exist in the human body along with bacteria. They normally don’t cause trouble unless they overspread and cause an infection. Onychomycosis is also known as tinea unguium is a fungal infection that affects both the fingernails and toenails. Fungal nail infection may take time to develop. This means that any changes caused by the infection may not be noticeable at first until it becomes severe.
How does the infection develop?
Fungal nail infection is a result of fungal overgrowth in, on, or underneath the nail. Fungi often thrive in a warm and moist environment. This is the kind of environment that often leads to their overpopulation. This is also the reason why toenail fungal infection is more prevalent than fingernail infection. The environment inside the shoes makes this possible. This is the same fungi that cause jock itch, ringworm, and athlete’s foot. Most of these belong to the group of fungi known as dermatophytes. Yeasts and molds may also cause nail fungal infections.
You may get the fungus from someone who has been infected and also from contact with an infected surface.
What does the infected nail look like?
A nail fungal infection may affect only a part of the nail, the whole nail, and at times several of them. The most common symptoms include a misshapen nail that may separate from the nail bed, a foul smell that comes from the infected nail, and a brittle or crumbly nail as well as a thickened one.
Who’s at risk of the infection?
Some people are more susceptible to a fungal nail infection. These are those who have the following conditions: diabetes, poor blood circulation, being over 65, having a family history of nail fungal infection, having a nail injury or injury on the surrounding skin, and others.
What are some treatments?
The doctor usually prescribes oral medication as a nail fungus treatment. Examples of these are terbinafine (Lamisil), fluconazole (Diflucan), terbinafine (Lamisil), and griseofulvin (Gris-PEG). Moreover, the doctor may also prescribe an antifungal nail lacquer or other topical solutions.
1All about the Kaffir Lime
Kaffir lime (scientific name Citrus hystrix) is also known as Mauritius papeda and makrut lime. It is a citrus fruit that belongs to the Rutaceae or Rue family. This plant is native to Southeast Asia including the following countries: Malaysia, Philippines, Southern China, Indonesia, and Thailand. It has also been widely naturalized in many tropical areas. There is no specific location as to where it originally grew. The leaves and fruit of this plant have been used in Southeast Asian cuisine while its essential oil has been used in fragrances. The plant also has several names which include Makrut lime, leach lime, Indonesian lime leaves, Mauritius bitter orange, Ichang Lime, Porcupine Orange, Porcupine Orange Lime, Wild Lime, Shauk-nu, Jeruk sambal, Kieffer lime, and Wart Lime.
Apart from the culinary applications of kaffir lime, kaffir lime is also popularly used in herbal medicine because of its tart and pleasant flavor and also because of its high content of organic compounds that are beneficial to human health. Kaffir lime’s fruit, leaves, oil, and rind can be used for multiple purposes. These are used for different sauces and soups like the Tom Yum soup. The leaves are often used in Thai cuisine. Its leaves and rinds are so strong that they may overwhelm the full flavor of the dish.
The strong flavor of kaffir lime is brought by a high concentration of citronellol, alkaloids, nerol, limonene, and many other phytochemicals. These render a unique aroma and flavor to the kaffir lime and also caused it to have a host of health benefits. The oil extracted from its leaves and the leaves themselves are often used for their health and medicinal value. The kaffir lime oil is often mixed with soaps, fragrances, shampoos, salves, and other cosmetic products. The leaves of the kaffir lime are often applied topically or orally to achieve a particular health result.
As an Antifungal and Antimicrobial
A study done in Malaysia showed that the aqueous and alcohol extracts of the kaffir lime were found to inhibit the growth of Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans.
Another study looked into the antimicrobial activities of kaffir lime essential oil against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Agar disk diffusion and broth macrodilution methods were used to determine the antibacterial activity of the kaffir lime oil against 6 bacterial strains and also 39 clinical bacterial isolates. This study showed that the kaffir lime essential oil has the potential to be made into an antibacterial agent that can fight off antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.
Other Health Benefits
Apart from the aforementioned health benefits, kaffir lime is also known to provide the following benefits:
Helps protect the heart
Based on a study, the kaffir lime contains naringenin and hesperidin which are powerful flavonoids. All of these possess strong antioxidant activity that supports cardiovascular health and at the same time protects it from free radical damage.
Reduces stress
Kaffir lime itself is not known to aid aromatherapy, but it’s the oil from its powerful fruit that can be used aromatically with superb effect. When you suffer from anxiety or any nervous disorders, inhaling this aromatic vapor can help calm both your body and mind.
Helps boost the immune system
The antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the kaffir lime make it a potent plant for boosting the immune system. The topical application of the kaffir lime can prevent infections and bacteria from building up on the skin. When consumed orally, kaffir lime can prevent a huge range of gastrointestinal illnesses and enhance the immune system because of its antioxidant effects.
Helps with hair care
The application of kaffir lime juice and leaves can help a lot with hair care. You may apply decoctions and a mixture may be applied directly to the hair and scalp to help slow down the impact of male pattern baldness and also to strengthen one’s hair follicles. This also provides moisture to the scalp, preventing dandruff and enhancing its natural shine and appearance. The citronella oil in kaffir lime also helps to detangle curly hair, making it more manageable.
