nail infections
Fungal nail infection is a relatively common condition that causes thickened and unsightly nails that can often become painful. Medication can be used to treat nail infections but will usually require several weeks of treatment. About three in every one hundred people will experience the condition and it most common in those over the age of fifty five and those that use communal areas such as swimming baths. The infection is passed in a number of different ways but can be transmitted from a skin infection such as athlete's foot if the condition is not treated early enough. It is important that the condition is treated as early as possible as the infection can be passed from the toenail to fingernails if there is contact between the two.
nail infections
Nail infections are more common in certain groups so it is important that they remain vigilant. Those who wash their hands frequently are at particular risk as constant washing can damage the protective skin at the base of the nail which can allow fungi to enter. This is also true for those that have damaged a nail. Diabetes, poor circulation and general poor levels of health can also increase the chances of developing the condition. Often a nail infection will occur in just one nail although the infection can also be found in several and is usually painless. The nail may also appear thick and discoloured and these symptoms may be the only ones a person experiences. However, the problem can be worse for some sufferers with white patches where the nail has come away from the skin and in some instances the nail may come away altogether. Eventually both the nail and the nail bed may be destroyed which make walking very uncomfortable.
There are a number of different methods that can be used to treat a fungal nail infection and each one depends upon the severity of the condition. The first method is to do nothing at all which is an option if the infection is slight or in one nail. Obviously this decision can be reviewed if the problem becomes worse over time. The second method is to take a course of anti-fungal tablets which will need to be taken for an extended period of time; six weeks for a fingernail infection and around twelve weeks for a toenail infection. The seriousness of the condition is highlighted by the fact that in two out of ten cases the infection will be cleared but the nail will not revert to its previous state. An antifungal treatment paint can also be used for nail infections although this method is not as successful as tablets and may require up to a year of treatment. There are a range of products available on the website to treat conditions such as fungal nail infections.
Nail infections are more common in certain groups so it is important that they remain vigilant. Those who wash their hands frequently are at particular risk as constant washing can damage the protective skin at the base of the nail which can allow fungi to enter. This is also true for those that have damaged a nail. Diabetes, poor circulation and general poor levels of health can also increase the chances of developing the condition. Often a nail infection will occur in just one nail although the infection can also be found in several and is usually painless. The nail may also appear thick and discoloured and these symptoms may be the only ones a person experiences. However, the problem can be worse for some sufferers with white patches where the nail has come away from the skin and in some instances the nail may come away altogether. Eventually both the nail and the nail bed may be destroyed which make walking very uncomfortable.
There are a number of different methods that can be used to treat a fungal nail infection and each one depends upon the severity of the condition. The first method is to do nothing at all which is an option if the infection is slight or in one nail. Obviously this decision can be reviewed if the problem becomes worse over time. The second method is to take a course of anti-fungal tablets which will need to be taken for an extended period of time; six weeks for a fingernail infection and around twelve weeks for a toenail infection. The seriousness of the condition is highlighted by the fact that in two out of ten cases the infection will be cleared but the nail will not revert to its previous state. An antifungal treatment paint can also be used for nail infections although this method is not as successful as tablets and may require up to a year of treatment. There are a range of products available on the website to treat conditions such as fungal nail infections.