About Finger Nail Fungus
Fingernail fungus is an unsanitary and unsightly skin condition. It can be embarrassing as well as unsettling for anyone who shakes your hand. Over 11 percent of Americans suffer from this skin problem, but it goes largely untreated because so many people do not understand what causes it, so the problem recurs.
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Significance
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The presence of fingernail fungus indicates that you have an infection. Literally, fungus has managed to find somewhere to grow underneath your fingernails. This can be a serious problem, since this warm, moist environment gives that fungus access to the inside of your body as well.
Types
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Almost any type of fungus will take up residence under your fingernails if it can get a "fingerhold" on a susceptible spot. However, there are five specific types of fungus that occur under fingernails most often. Subungual hyperkeratosis causes the skin under your fingernail to become scaly. Proximal onychomycosis causes yellow spots to form on the white semicircle at the base of your nail and will eventually destroy your entire nail. Superficial white onychomycosis makes your fingernail rough and can cause the entire nail to flake off over time. Lateral onychomycosis is characterized by a yellow or white stripe at the side of the nail. Distal onycholysis causes the edge of the nail to crumble and can eventually eat away your entire fingernail.
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Misconceptions
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Many people try to treat their fingernail fungus on their own by comparing their fingers to pictures that they find online or in textbooks. While this seems like a good way to avoid the embarrassment of having some strange doctor examine your fungi, it is seldom successful. While the descriptions above may have sounded distinct, in reality most fungal infections look similar. Testing and professional treatment are always the best way to get rid of fingernail fungus, even if you just check out home remedies with your doctor before implementing them.
Prevention/Solution
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Fingernail fungi can be tenacious. The best way to deal with them is to avoid getting the infection in the first place. You can do this by keeping hands clean and dry, not sharing nail scissors or other manicure or pedicure accessories, using extreme caution when polishing and applying false nails, which often harbor and encourage nail fungus, and by taking care not to injure the skin around or under your nails during routine grooming procedures. If you already have a fingernail fungus, you might want to ask your doctor for an oral treatment or use an over-the-counter product that contains a lot of natural plant oils. Some herbalists also recommend compounds that are high in vinegar and can be applied directly under the nail.
Time Frame
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It can take a long time to cure fingernail fungus. In fact, many doctors do not even try to cure it unless there is a secondary problem because the process is so unpredictable and many of the treatments can have serious side effects. Most treatments involve a fair amount of trial and error, so it can literally take years. Once you find the right treatment, most nail fungus products start to work within a month but may take five or six months to completely destroy the infection.
Warning
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It is certainly important to consult a physician about fingernail fungus, if only to be certain that the infection is not going to threaten the rest of your body. However, if you are considering an oral treatment, bear in mind that many of these drugs can cause liver damage. If you decide to treat your infection yourself, still consult a doctor first to make sure that you do not accidentally do something to make the infection worse, and never cut or shave away parts of your fingers or toes in an effort to get rid of the fungus, as this can result in serious infections that can, in some cases, require amputation.
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