Stop Nail Fungus

As we get older, many of us face the dilemma of how to stop nail fungus infections (onychomycosis). The risk of suffering from onychomycosis increases with age and the infection seems to be growing more common overall - as many as 13% of North Americans have a fungal nail infection at any one time. Fungal infections in healthy humans are generally restricted to the hair, skin, and nails; infected nails account for about one third of these infections. Because the fingernails and toenails are essentially dead tissue, fungal growth in them can be very difficult to eradicate. It's best to give your nails regular care and deal with any abnormality early, before it becomes too advanced.

Home remedies against nail fungus are usually more effective if you begin to use them early, before the fungal growth involves too much of the nail or spreads to the surrounding skin. To prevent onychomycosis, be good to your nails. Treat any small cuts and scrapes, as well as larger injuries promptly. Keep your feet clean and dry, try not to leave your hands immersed in water for long periods of time, and keep all nails clean and well trimmed. Wear gardening gloves when working with the soil, footwear when walking in public showers and swimming areas, and shoes and boots with as much air circulation as possible. Air out your footwear and make sure shoes and boots are thoroughly dry before wearing them. An occasional dusting of footwear with antifungal powder provides extra ammunition to stop nail fungus. Finally, don't borrow nail files, nail clippers, or other nail equipment from others, and don't wear second-hand or borrowed shoes and boots: fungi that cause nail infections spread from person to person.

If signs of onychomycosis appear and you want to nip it in the bud, you might try one of the home remedies against nail fungus. First, trim away as much of the affected nail as possible, then use the remedy according to any instructions you've been given. Home remedies include vinegar or dilute bleach soaks, application of Vick's Vaporub ointment, soaking in Listerine mouthwash, even beer soaks. Do some research or consult someone who has experience with the remedy so you'll know how to do it properly. Home remedies are not a hundred percent - some people are able to stop nail fungus with them and some are not, but the same is true for every nail fungus medication, even the prescription drugs. If you want to increase the odds of success, a natural remedy such as tea tree oil might be a worthwhile purchase.

If you are not able to stop nail fungus with these simple treatments, it may be that your nail infection is too far advanced, or that you have not used the remedy for long enough. It may also be that the problem is not onychomycosis, but some other nail abnormality that should be seen and treated by a medical professional. There are other nail problems that con look very like a fungal nail infection and only a specialist can give you a certain diagnosis. These less common ailments don't respond to home remedies against nail fungus! For chronic nail problems that haven't responded to your self-care attempts, the best option is to see your doctor.