One of the most common nail problems is toenail fungus or toenail fungal infection. A fungal infection is an inflammatory condition caused by a fungus. The infection causes the nail to thicken and discolor.
The infection is generally not dangerous and can be treated. However, the condition can be painful and unsightly. Damage to your nail and nail bad can occur if the fungal infection is not treated. More serious complications can occur if you have a weakened immune system or have diabetes.
While toenail fungus may be difficult to eradicate, with the right information and treatments a fungal infection can be successfully eradicated and the toenail or fingernail returned to health.
Causes
Fungal infections generally occur in the nail when a fungus enters the skin through small cuts or through the opening between your nail and nail bed. Most fungal infections of the nail are caused by the same fungus that causes Athlete’s Foot. They can also be caused by yeasts and molds.
Fungi spread easily from person to person. They grow best in warm, damp places such as pool decks and locker room floors. Walking barefoot in a public shower is an easy way to pick up the fungus. If you walk in public areas like this, be sure to wear shoes to lessen your chances of picking up a fungal infection.
You may be more susceptible to nail fungal infections if you:
- Have diabetes
- Have a weakened immune system
- Are over 60 years old
- Have a nail injury
- Wear shoes that keep your feet damp or sweaty
Healing Naturally
Fungal infections are usually not dangerous, but you should take necessary steps to reduce the infection.
Try soaking your feet in warm water in your bathtub. Add one box of sea salt, one cup of hydrogen peroxide, and 6-8 drops of essential oil of Tea Tree. Soak in the solution for about 30 minutes daily, if possible. This will help to clear up the condition and will feel soothing on your feet if the fungal infection has caused any pain.
Wearing socks and shoes made of breathable materials will allow your feet to stay properly ventilated and avoid added moisture and sweat. Socks made from natural materials like cotton, hemp or flax are good natural choices that keep your feet cool and dry. These natural materials absorb moisture from your feet from sweating and provide good ventilation. Properly ventilated shoes will have tiny holes in them to allow air flow to your feet.
Avoid wearing nail polish on the toes. Nail polish can encourage the growth of toe nail fungus. Keep your toes clean and properly filed and cleaned. Buffing the nails will keep them looking nice and help to fight off fungus.
After a shower or bath, dry your toes off with a towel and do not use the towel again until after you wash it. If using a large towel make sure the feet are the last part of your body that you dry off. Remember to dry your feet well as fungus likes warm and damp environments.
Adding anti-fungal herbs to bath water or taking them internally in the form of teas can soothe and promote natural healing in the body. Some anti- fungal herbs include:
Dherbs Solutions
In addition to the advice listed above, Dherbs offers a variety of natural solutions to alleviate symptoms associated with nail fungal infections:
Knowing how to avoid nail fungus is the best place to start when dealing with nail fungal infections. By lessening our chances of picking up a fungus, we can keep our bodies healthy and avoid having to alleviate the problem later on.
Thank you for reading!
This article is compliments of www.dherbs.com.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
