Nail Surgery
Nail fungus is made up of tiny organisms that can infect fingernails and toenails. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the finger or toe nails which is very difficult to cure. These fungal infections usually cause discoloration, thickening and often softening of the nails. Nail fungus is a difficult condition to treat and may often cause permanent damage to the nails and possibly nail loss. Infections of nail fungus account for about half of all nail disorders. These infections usually develop on nails continually exposed to warm, moist environments, such as sweaty shoes or shower floors. Nail fungus isn't the same as athlete's foot, which primarily affects the skin of the feet, but at times the two may coexist and can be caused by the same type of fungus. More than 35 million people in the United States get this fungus. The fungus lives underneath the nail. The nail provides a safe place for the fungus and protects it while it grows, since fungus like dark and damp places. The condition usually begins towards the far end of the nail and may start with patches of white or yellow discoloration. If the condition is left untreated, it will proceed to the base of the nail. It will attack the nail root (matrix) and cause the nail to grow very thick and deformed.
The first treatment is to apply an anti-fungal cream religiously for at least 6 months to ensure that the nail fungus doesn't come back. Most anti-fungal creams are available over the counter and are reasonably priced. Creams are applied directly to the nail and can be used for mild and moderate nail fungus infections. Make sure to read the contents of the creams before buying and follow the instructions carefully to prevent further damage. Make sure to clean your hands and feet before applying anti-fungal creams to prevent more bacteria from spreading. For recurring and severe cases of nail fungal infections, this may very well be the best treatment option. The infected nail is removed and an antifungal cream is used to treat the infected area. Because the area of infection is exposed the efficiency of antifungal creams can be maximized. This procedure is done if you have a severe or recurring nail fungus infection. Just like the process for non-surgical removal, an anti-fungal cream will also be applied directly once the infected nail is removed.
Surgery is the traditional way of eliminating nail fungus. The nail is removed in severe cases of nail fungus and a new nail grows to replace it. The growth of a new nail could take up to a year to the chagrin of many. But because of technological breakthroughs in the field of medicine, several anti-fungal medicines that combat the said ailment have been developed. Anti-fungal medications do not guarantee a lasting cure from nail fungus. The recurrence of infection is very common. According to studies, at least 20 percent of patients will experience a recurrence of their condition. Therefore, what is vital is the continuous use of the treatment until the nail fungus totally disappears. After the nail fungus has been cured, prevention of the disease through the practice of good hygiene and maintenance of the proper diet is needed.
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