How Nail Fungus Begins
Nail fungus, also known as Onychomycosis, is more prevalent in toenails than those of the fingers. The conditions within the feet are much more conducive for a fungus than those of the hands. Your feet are exposed to fewer bacteria than your hands, but are washed less frequently. They are also usually confined to a warm dark environment, which is needed for bacteria to thrive. With a reduction in blood flow, it is harder for your immune system to combat the fungi. The feet have a lesser amount of blood flow than the hands. Someone suffering from diabetes or an immune deficiency disease will have more of a probability of nail fungus than someone of optimal health. A strong immune system can help to ward of foreign organisms, where a weaker immune system cannot. Anyone suffering from diabetes will understand what it is like to suffer from swollen extremities. The accumulation of fluids does not allow for proper blood flow, inhibiting the proper circulation and ability to fight any sort of fungus.
There are precautions that can be taken to help prevent some of the more common nail fungi. To keep nails dry and clean is most important. By not only washing your hands and feet often, but also drying them well every time, will keep these areas sanitary. If you do allow the area beneath the toenails to become moist, you have been able to eliminate one aspect of how toenail fungus begins. Also, utilizing some form of powder in your shoes you can cut back on moisture caused by the feet sweating. As far as the dark, there is not much you can do for it. Sneakers have aerating holes built in to there design to allow the foot to breathe. Aside from wearing sandals, the darkness is the only factor you may not be able to eliminate.
There are contributing factors other than a bad environment. There is also trauma. If the nail sustains an injury it can cause the nail to lift from the nail bed, exposing a sensitive area to the outside elements. This area is difficult to clean, and even harder to keep dry. With an opening similar to that of an envelope, it creates a pocket for the bacteria to be confined. Even the cleanest of all nails can have difficulty resolving an infection deep within the nail bed. If you receive any sort of trauma to any of your nails you should make sure to keep it sanitary, and protect it as soon as possible.
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| If you have any questions regarding whether or not the area may be infected you need to contact your medical professional. The use of hydrogen peroxide is a great over-the-counter product to kill bacteria and/or infections. The ability to reaching deep into cuts and other small areas, while helping to sanitize the location, make hydrogen peroxide great to have on hand. Another added benefit is that is does not sting like alcohol does. If you have found it necessary to apply the hydrogen peroxide, it is best to give your doctor a call. Nail fungus, especially in toes, can quickly spread and move to adjacent nails. |
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