Structure of the nail

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Learning about the structure of the nail is important and can help people better understand the necessity of proper nail care and hygiene. It can also help you identify any irregularities that you may see occur. The toenail, as with many other body parts, has its complexities. There are a total of 7 parts to the nail: the nail root, the lunula, the cuticle, the perionychium, the nail plate, the nail bed, the free edge.

1. The Nail Root – this is one of the main parts of the nail, which is more formally identified as germinal matrix. This is the tissue that rests beneath the skin and starts a couple millimeters into the finger or toe and ends at the base of the nail that Is visible. The root gains nutrients through your blood vessels and that is essentially how the nail is created.

2. The Lunula – also known as the “crescent” or “half-moon” is the part of the nail where you can usually see the white curved part at the base part of the nail. It is typically apparent on the fingernails, and much easier to notice on the thumbs or big toes. This part is at the edge of nail root and plays a large part in the formation of the nail.

3. The Cuticle – this area in formal terms is known as the eponychium, which is the part that rests between your skin and your nail plate at the base. The cuticle acts as a protective seal to protect from water getting underneath the skin at the base of the nail. Having a small amount of cuticle present is healthy for the nail.

4. The Perionychium – this part is similar to the cuticle, which rests between the skin and nail plate at the sides of your nails. Some experience the nail growing into the perionychium and the outcome is typically an ingrown nail or a hangnail.

5. The Nail Plate – The nail plate is the hard and brittle part of the nail where we typically cover with nail polish. It is translucent in color/appearance, since it is made of keratin. Typically people may notice it as pink in color; however that is only because the blood vessels sit beneath it. When looking at its structure it is seen as smooth yet grooved at the bottom. The groove is what allows it to stay intact with the nail bed.

6. The Nail Bed – This part is technically not part of the nail, however the nail bed is still imperative in the formation and creation of the nail. The bed is what gives the nails its strength and thickness, which is due to the nerves, blood vessels, and the melanocytes. The growth of the nail does not end at the root it actually continues to grow toward the free edge of the nail, which is why it is painful when the nail gets peeled back.

7. The Free Edge. – Lastly, the free edge. This part of the nail is the tip of the nail and usually appears as a white line. This part you may trim without pain, however it is the most susceptible part since it is the part that is least protected and no longer receives nourishment from the body. The part where the free edge connects to the tip of the toe or the tip of the fingernail is identified as “hyponychium.” Just like the cuticle, this part is what connects the nail and skin, protecting from water.

As you can tell, there are a number of different parts to the nail, probably more than you knew existed. The nail is a sensitive and fragile part of the body that needs to also maintain proper hygiene to remain healthy.

Nail Fungus: A Variety of Treatments

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People with nail fungus often don’t know what to do about it. They’ve probably tried researching the different nail fungus treatment options on the market, but it doesn’t always help. Some of them might seem reasonable, while others may put you off due to their side effects or success rate. If you have nail fungus you likely now know that there are a variety of types of nail fungus treatments, all of which are tried by people all over the world.

The least successful kind of nail fungus treatment is a nail fungus home remedy. Home remedies are the least successful nail fungus treatments available because they aren’t designed to get rid of nail fungus. However, because of their cheap price they are probably the most common. Despite this, if you use a home remedy such as tea tree oil you will likely just end up wasting your time and money. If you just want to keep you nail fungus from spreading, a home remedy might help, but otherwise you are better off skipping this common treatment option.

Topical and oral nail fungus treatment medications have been around for a little while now, but have varying degrees of success and safety rates. Topical medications do indeed have a better success rate than home remedies, but they still aren’t very high. Oral medications, on the other hand, are fairly successful but people who use them are putting themselves at great risk of harmful side effects such as liver damage. These side effects can no doubt be even worse than the nail fungus itself.

One kind of nail fungus treatment that is relatively new, but is getting more common each year is laser treatment. Nail fungus laser treatment is safe so patients don’t have to worry about harmful side effects. It also has a high success rate and is usually a very quick procedure, with most patients leaving the office in about an hour. If this sounds better than medications or home remedies, give it a try. If you still want to do a little more research, you should certainly talk to your podiatrist.

How Do I Know If I have a Nail Fungus?

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Nail fungus, medically known as onychomycosis, is an infection of the nail. This infection occurs more commonly in elderly adults, however it affects people of all ages. Men are more likely to obtain this infection than women and it is more likely to occur on the toenails than fingernails.

Nail fungus is often a slow infection, making it difficult to notice immediately. As a result, people are less likely to notice that they have developed a nail fungus until it has already gone to a deeper stage of infection or infected a number of nails. Others tend to ignore the signs and believe that it may go away on its own; this is a sure way to guarantee a spreading and worsening infection. Nail fungus does not go away on its own and can spread rapidly not only to your other nails but also to other people, especially those you share a living space with.

The infection typically begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your nail. As this infection deepens, the nail color may become discolored, begin to thicken, and/or crumble. if you have a case of athlete’s foot this can also cause a nail fungus to form so it is crucial to treat that immediately before the fungus can tackle the nails.

Preventive measures are crucial if you would like to cease the problem from occurring or reoccurring. Avoid public walking around in public showers, pools, and gym locker rooms without wearing sandals. Make sure to wash your socks after each use. Avoid nail salons or take your own instruments making sure they are disinfected before use. Keep your feet as clean and dry as possible, especially if you frequently perspire in this area.

The Reality of Being Cured of a Nail Fungus Infection

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Most people that have dealt with nail infections in the past know the struggle all too well of trying to cure it on their own. There are hundreds of home remedies to choose from, but no official records exist of their effectiveness. The reason for this is because most of the treatments that are done at home are just mixing up a few ingredients and applying the mixture as a topical to the nail. The fungus is living, thriving, sandwiched in between the nail and the skin of the toe making topicals near impossible to penetrate. There are a few medical procedures you can have done if you suffer from nail infections that have higher cure rates. For instance you can surgically remove the nail, take oral medications, use prescription strength topicals, and apply laser treatment to the nails.
But even the medical treatments have their downfalls…

Oral medications pose serious health risks with numerous side effects. The type of medication required to cure toenail fungus can actually cause liver damage and require extensive blood work to be done.
Surgically removing the nail doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be cured. The nail itself doesn’t harbor the fungus, but rather the fungus is living in between the nail and skin of the toe. And even then, you can’t just expect to wipe the slate clean by removing the nail and applying a few topicals. The fungus is much more resilient than you think.

Probably the most effective treatment is laser therapy, it has the highest cure rate after just one treatment at 85% which is the highest cure rate out of anything other option. Most lasers are just concentrated heat sources that are able to destroy the fungus on contact.

Unfortunately, most patients afflicted with the fungus think they are immune after treatment, but this is not the case. You must still follow post treatment protocol and apply antifungal solutions daily.

For more information feel free to contact our Tampa location. In our Tampa location you can get free consultation for toenail fungus laser treatment.

Conventional treatment vs. Innovating Options

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For years doctors, podiatrists, and dermatologists have used several methods to alleviate and treat patients with nail fungus. However, as of late and with the passing of generations, laser has become an alternative option to many of the conventional methods of treatment.

Doctors have always known a series of treatment options to prescribe patients such as topicals, in the form of creams and ointments and oral medications. Many have also suggest homeopathic remedies or home remedies to try. Each of these “solutions” however invoke a problem. With topical treatment options, they typically have a very low curate and if people do see any improvement the results will only last as long as they use the product. Oral medications as well have a low curate of about 50-65%, but more importantly are very harmful for the liver, require frequent blood work, and have many other harmful side effects. Homeopathic and home remedies are often used but this too has a very small chance of working to treat the nails. Since basic household products, foods, or oils are being used in place of a medical product, many other things can go awry in the process of “treating” the nails. Furthermore, the home remedies have a low chance of solving the problem as well, as a result.

Now, in the 21st century laser treatments have surfaced for a number of different medical and cosmetic uses. Nail fungus has been a popular laser treatment, which not only provides the safest treatment available, but also the most effective option with the highest curate.

With that said, our generation and doctors are more skilled with the different options available for fungus removal, however not all doctors practice the same treatment methods. Some doctors simply do not have access to the laser and prefer to recommend patients to products they can sell themselves. It is important to do research before making any commitments.

For more information, please contact our office at
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Baltimore, MD 21214
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Tips for Nail Fungus Prevention at the Nail Salon

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If you are the type of person who frequents nail salons and enjoy manicures or pedicures, you want to take note of a few things in order to avoid possibility of a nail infection or fungus.

Make sure the salon you’re visiting is highly recommended or a reputable one. In addition, make sure they keep good hygiene by disinfecting their tools and keeping the place clean and tidy. It is also important to note if the manicurist/pedicurist is using gloves or washing their hands after each client.
Steer away from artificial/acrylic nails. These type of nails will significant increase your chance of a nail fungus. Since you are adding an artificial nail or powder to the nail it is blockading the original nail causing the nails to lose oxygen and can often be incorrectly placed. Gel nails are a more recent trend and can cause the same effects as artificial nails.
If you choose to do artificial nails make sure that your nails and fingers do not show any signs of inflammation. You should also soak your nails in alcohol to make sure that your nails are fully clean and disinfected of any bacteria before applying artificial nails.
Lastly, it is important to not wear the artificial nails for more than 3 months at a time. You should allow your own nails at least a month between reapplication to breathe and be exposed to oxygen and light exposure.

By following the above steps you can be sure that you are doing the best you can in preventing fungal nails from acrylics. Moreover it is important to note that fungus is much easier to prevent than trying to control it after infection has begun. If you have contracted a nail fungus, avoid artificial nails at all costs, as this will increase the infection and cause further harm and damage to the nail.

Battle Fungus with Food

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There are several treatments out there that claim they will cure your toenail fungus. These treatments range from home remedies to costly medical procedures performed by doctors or dermatologists. Unfortunately, home remedies have low success rates with no official records released based on their efficiency. And the medical treatments that boast of high cure rates come with a flashy price tag.

So what can you do to cure your own nails of this infection? You could start the lengthy process of attempting to treat your own nails with a home remedy, or you could spend an arm and a leg trying to go the medical route. Or you could simply start eating right!

Sounds too good to be true? It’s not! You will need to start by cutting back on your intake and consumption of sugars and simple carbohydrates. Sugar and simple carbs can greatly affect your immune system, weakening it feeding the fungai further. Another thing you can do is start ingesting cultured products and foods which contain “friendly” bacteria. This bacteria will actually help fight off the fungus mano y mano.

The bacteria will prevent the growth of the fungus and help fight off any existing fungus, so long as you keep this diet regimen up! Try to discard all foods that promote mucus like diary and heavy meats. Drop soda and processed foods along with anything fatty or fried. And start adding lots of garlic to your daily meals! Garlic helps neutralize most fungi, and here I always thought they only scared off vampires!

For more information, please contact our office at
401 29th St. Suite 202
Oakland, CA 94619
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, for free consultation.

Cosmetics and Cancer

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For most people, basic nail care is purely cosmetic. We pride ourselves in our aesthetic grooming processes. But what if these simple steps we take everyday to make ourselves more physically appeasing were actually hurting us more than helping? But how can something so simple, like a french manicure or a glob of red paint really hurt us? Exposure to some chemicals used in nail polishes and salons can range anywhere from cancer to fertility complications or anywhere in between.

Nail care products contain chemicals and other toxic and hazardous ingredients that can cause potential danger to not only the person the user, but also the applier. Researchers have claimed that toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and formaldehyde are the most hazardous of the chemicals found in salons, nicknamed the ‘toxic trio.’

Formaldehyde is typically used to harden the nails and act as a disinfectant for nail care tools.

Toluene is a type of solvent that creates a smooth finish over the nail which helps keeps the pigment and color in place.

And lastly Dibutyl phthalate, this is a substance which is added to polishes which helps provide flexibility which has been directly linked to reproductive problems.

On top of all these chemicals most nail salons lack proper ventilation which leaves air trapped inside small cramped areas forcing the harsh chemicals down both patron and employee. Salon workers are especially at risk due to the continuous exposure, first from direct contact then from airborne infiltration.
Most long term salon workers suffer from memory problems, respiratory issues, cancer, and muscle contractions. Although there are no definitive records claiming that the chemicals found in nail salons cause these specific problems mentioned above, the relations are outstanding, making the patterns hard to ignore.

For more information feel free to contact our orange county location. In our orange county location you can get free consultation for toenail fungus laser treatment.

Ultimately, your doctor is the best resource for treating a fungal infection of the nails.

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Ultimately, your doctor is the best resource for treating a fungal infection of the nails. Since there are a number of different fungi that may be responsible for an infection, the best treatment for your condition depends on your doctor taking a sample from your nails and identifying the specific culprit. In addition to fungal infections, there a few other conditions — such as psoriasis and eczema — that mimic some of the symptoms, so it is always best to get a firm diagnosis before beginning any kind of treatment regimen.

Once your doctor makes a firm diagnosis, there are three main ways to treat fungal nail infections. One is to take oral anti-fungal medication. However, though oral medications are the most effective treatment, they are known to have problematic side effects such as liver damage. In addition, because oral medications work as your nails grow, this method could take four months or longer to get rid of the infection [source: Mayo Clinic].
An alternative to pills is topical treatments such as anti-fungal creams, which have the best chance of success if the infection is caught at an early stage. However, if the infection is very advanced or causing severe pain, your doctor may opt for the third method — removing the infected nail and surrounding skin via surgery. In any case, fungal infections are hard to eliminate completely and may recur even after a successful treatment.

If you’d rather not visit the doctor or prefer treatments that don’t involve drugs or surgery, there are some homeopathic remedies you could try. Click through to the next page to learn what they are.

For more information, please contact our office at
3184 W. Broad St. Suite C
Columbus, OH 43204
(800) 672-0625
, for free consultation

There are several different ways an innocent, unsuspecting person can develop toenail fungus.

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There are several different ways an innocent, unsuspecting person can develop toenail fungus. Onychomycosis, or as most people without a PhD call it, toenail fungus, can creep it’s way into the nail through mold or even through obtaining a yeast infection in the toenail! No matter how you catch toenail fungus, almost always, the infections are often created through warm, wet environments which give the fungus a comfortable breeding ground to grow and expand, often infecting neighboring toes and fingers.

Areas like saunas, swimming pools, locker rooms, gyms, even household showers are all hot spots for fungal infections to flourish. Just being in the same environment or shambling about the area can result with you developing the fungus as well!

Why toes, you may ask? What about toes and toenails make them so susceptible to the fungus? Good question. Toes tend to be more vulnerable to the fungus due to the lack of circulation in the feet rather than the hands. Also, the moist, warm, darkness of your sneakers and tennis shoes are the perfect breeding ground for the fungus to grow. So unless you’ve been wearing shoes on your hands lately, your hands have a less likely chance to develop the fungus. But they can catch it!

No one is immune to toenail fungus, anyone can catch it from your high school PE teacher to the president, but older adults are more at risk along with the elderly due to the decreased blood circulation to the feet. Also, as we continue to age, our nails tend to get thick making us more open to the possibility of nail infections.

Did you know men are more at risk to toenail fungus infections than women? Even worse, this tendency can be passed genetically! Something to keep in mind ladies, next time you’re having the baby talk with your man, don’t forget to give his feet a good look over before you decide anything!

For more information, please contact our office at
3184 W. Broad St. Suite C
Columbus, OH 43204
(800) 672-0625
, for free consultation.

Toenail fungus is an infection of the bed and plate underlying the surface of the nail.

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Toenail fungus is an infection of the bed and plate underlying the surface of the nail. You should treat toenail fungus as soon as it appears. Nail fungus feeds off keratin, a type of protein found in non-living tissue. Yellow toenails are a side effect of the presence of toenail fungus. The more discolored the nail, the further along the infection. We offer a variety of Dr. recommended treatments for toenail fungus including tineacide and a tea tree oil wash Fungasoap.

Toenail fungus should be treated as early as possible. It becomes more difficult to get rid of the farther it has spread towards the cuticle. People suffering from toenail fungus, particularly in its more advanced stages are strongly advised to get a diagnosis from a podiatrist. There are a variety of different types of toenail fungus. One common toenail fungus is the same fungus that causes athlete’s foot. Many toenail fungi will respond to a combination of good foot hygiene habits and non-prescription antifungal products; however, there are some types of foot fungus that will only respond to prescription oral treatment.

For more information, please contact our office at
4715 Pine St.
Philadelphia, PA 19143
(800) 672-0625
, for free consultation.

What is toenail fungus you might ask yourself?

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What is toenail fungus you might ask yourself? 

What exactly is causing your toenails to harden and flake off? 

What’s turning your once healthy and luscious nails black and yellow?

 I’d love to tell you! 

Toenail fungus is a type of infection that affects the bed and plate of of the nail. If you start noticing the growth and development of toenail fungus on your own feet or hands you should seek treatment immediately since that fungus is extremely infectious. The fungus feeds off of keratin, a type of protein our bodies produce. It is often believed that the more discolored and distorted the nail, the further and more advanced the infection has become. Do not wait till your nails are nothing but flakey stubs inducing chronic pain to get treatment! 

There are several non invasive procedures you can do at home that will prevent the fungus from spreading. It has been stated that things like tea tree oil and tineacide are proven to help prevent the fungus from decaying the nail any further and stopping the infection.

Toenail fungus can be extremely difficult to get rid of the longer you wait, especially when the fungus makes contact with the cuticle. It is advised to seek medical attention from licensed podiatrists or dermatologists in your area that can provide you with sufficient antibiotics and treatment only they can provide.

For more information, please contact our office at
4715 Pine St.
Philadelphia, PA 19143
(800) 672-0625
, for free consultation.

Do you know the percent of Americans who are affected by toenail fungus?

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Do you know the percent of Americans who are affected by toenail fungus? 12% of all Americans! Now what’s the difference between bacteria and fungus you might ask? Fungus can multiply rapidly and cause different types of infection to the body. There are two different types of fungus that our skin is susceptible to. Candida and Dermatophytes, both of these types of fungi can affect our nails but usually Dermatophytes is the type of fungus most commonly found on the average, everyday, nail fungus infections.

There are several dangers of toenail fungus, and the longer you put off treatment, the more susceptible your nails become to these dangers! In most prolonged cases the nail becomes brittle and flakey, usually detaching itself from the skin completely. The shape of the nail can distort and become deformed while also changing the color of the nail entirely.

Pain is also a side affect from those suffering from toenail fungus. If left untreated this pain can spread from toe to toe and eventually foot to foot. The fungus can even travel to the hands which can be much harder to treat. If you have a weakened immune system or suffer from AIDS, leukemia, or have an organ transplant, you are at a much higher risk to developing the fungus and pain involved if left untreated.

Don’t wait for the fungus to cripple you completely, take action today and seek professional medical treatment to cure your nails today!

For more information, please contact our office at
4715 Pine St.
Philadelphia, PA 19143
(800) 672-0625

Permanent toenail damage is a complication of a toenail fungal infection

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According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the most common cause of a toenail infection is a fungus and 12 percent of Americans are affected by it. Normally, there are a number of bacteria and fungi present on the body, but a fungus can multiply quickly and cause a toenail infection. Another name for toenail fungus is onychomycosis. The two main fungi that affect the skin are yeast, known as Candida, and dermatophytes. Both types can affect the nails, but dermatophytes are more commonly associated with the toenails.

The dangers of a toenail fungus include developing the normal symptoms. According to the National Library of Medicine, these symptoms include the toenail becoming brittle or crumbling. The shape of the nail can change, and debris can get caught under the nail. The nail can become discolored, and there can be a loosening of the nail to the point that it becomes detached. The nail can also thicken or lose its luster.

Permanent toenail damage is a complication of a toenail fungal infection. There can also be pain associated with the infection which can become serious and spread beyond the toe, especially if the immune system is depressed. This is especially true in people who have AIDS, leukemia or have had an organ transplant. People taking certain medications may also have a suppressed immune system.

For more information, please contact our office at:

3184 W. Broad St. Suite CColumbus, OH 43204(800) 672-0625, for free consultation.

Microscopic fungi can find their way into the toenails under a variety of different circumstances

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Microscopic fungi can find their way into the toenails under a variety of different circumstances. Usually, nail fungal infections occur when a type of fungus called a dermatophyte inhabits the nail. They can also be caused by a general mold or yeast infection in the toenail. Whether fungus, mold or yeast, all of these infections are created in warm, wet environments.

Places such as gyms, locker-rooms, hot-tubs, saunas, steam-rooms, swimming pools and showers, are hot-beds for these types of fungal infections. Just walking barefoot can cause you to get a fungal infection.
The dark warmth of your shoes and socks, particularly if you are sweating in your shoes, is also the perfect breeding ground for fungal infections. People are particularly vulnerable to fungal infections when they have tiny cuts between the nail and nail bed, as this opens the area up for the fungus to thrive. Toes are more vulnerable to infection than fingernails because of a lack of circulation in the area, as compared to the hands.

Anyone can get a toenail fungal infection, but older adults are more at risk due to a greater lack of blood circulation to the feet. What is more, as we age, our nails begin to thicken, making us more susceptible to fungal invasion. Men are more at risk than women, and the tendency can be passed on genetically.

Risk factors that increase the likelihood for nail fungus may also include diabetes, trauma to the nail, poor personal hygiene, athlete’s foot, hyperhydrosis, peripheral vascular disease, continual exposure to water and conditions involving immunodeficiency.

4715 Pine St.
Philadelphia, PA 19143
(800) 672-0625
, for free consultation.

For more information, please contact our office at

Why Homeopathy is a Bad Option

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Homeopathy is a substitute to medicine, which uses harmful substances in place of actual tested medications. These substances can cause side effects and symptoms. Many of the chemicals in these homeopathic remedies contain plant and animal material that is extremely diluted and causes the body to act and react in unusual ways. Homeopathy is ineffective and dangerous, especially in instances when used in place of approved medications and treatment options, which have otherwise been proved and tested.

Several studies have been conducted to suggest that homeopathy is not only ineffective, for any medical condition but has also caused illnesses and other health related issues. Individuals who choose homeopathy as a treatment option may be putting their health at risk if they reject or delay treatments for which there is actual good evidence for safety and effectiveness.
If you are suffering from an illness or a disease of any sort make sure to contact a specialist first before turning to any solutions, especially homeopathic ones.

What Exactly is Toenail Fungus?

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Onychomycosis is just a fancy word for toenail fungus, which is characterized by its more prominent traits, such as; inflammation, foot pains, swelling of the toes, discoloration and thickening of the nails, it can even deteriorate the nail completely!

There are several ways you can obtain toenail fungus, it can vary from abnormal ph levels of the skin, to overexposure to moisture, wearing synthetic or extremely old socks, sweat build up in your shoes, to just overall poor foot hygiene. Sometimes Onychomycosis can even be caused by the weak circulation you can obtain from having diabetes.

Today, this embarrassing and sometimes painful ailment is completely treatable thanks to modern medicine! There are several different forms of treatment ranging from topical creams and sprays, oral medications, and in some situations, surgical removal of the infected nail.

Side effects of may occur when taking oral medications such as; liver damage, headaches, dizziness, nausea, weight gain, fatigue, heart problems, the list goes on and on.

Maybe the best option for treating your unsightly toenail fungus is the Pinpointe laser which has no side effects at all and typically requires just one treatment! Another remedy to toenail fungus are herbal medications which can be made up from items you can grab from your pantry. But like other topical options, they suffer from a low cure rate unlike the laser.

How Do We Develop Toenail Fungus?

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Who would have known how easy it is to contract toenail fungus? It is most commonly found in shared showers, changing stations, and locker rooms, anywhere where moisture and heat thrive. With the invention of the shoe came protection from the harsh elements humans faced on a daily basis. But it also brought the perfect breeding ground for toenail fungus! Enclosed shoes can sometimes trap moisture and heat making it ground zero for the fungus to grow. Which is an interesting concept to think that only 1% of people in Africa have toenail fungus compared to 10% of people in the US or UK!

If your job requires you to wear work boots for extended periods of times or work in wet environments, you are 5 times more likely to come in contact with the fungus or develop the fungus yourself!
There are several tell tale signs of seeing for yourself if you have developed or are starting to develop toenail fungus;

• Thickened or hardened nails
• Nail damage on the tips or edges of nails
• Nails that are starting to separate from the nail bed or completely removed from the skin
• A whitish patch forming at the base of the nail

You are also several times more likely to develop the fungus if you suffer from diabetes or are above the age of 50!

Take precautions when you expose your feet in public, be wary of public showers and locker rooms, and always throw out old shoes that have already turned black from sweat and grime. So long as you practice safe foot hygiene you won’t have to fear about becoming another toenail fungus statistic in America.

Nail Fungus and The Start of a HUGE Problem?

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http://www.LaserNailTherapy.com

There are several different ways an innocent, unsuspecting person can develop toenail fungus. Onychomycosis, or as most people without a PhD call it, toenail fungus, can creep it’s way into the nail through mold or even through obtaining a yeast infection in the toenail! No matter how you catch toenail fungus, almost always, the infections are often created through warm, wet environments which give the fungus a comfortable breeding ground to grow and expand, often infecting neighboring toes and fingers.

Areas like saunas, swimming pools, locker rooms, gyms, even household showers are all hot spots for fungal infections to flourish. Just being in the same environment or shambling about the area can result with you developing the fungus as well!

Why toes, you may ask? What about toes and toenails make them so susceptible to the fungus? Good question. Toes tend to be more vulnerable to the fungus due to the lack of circulation in the feet rather than the hands. Also, the moist, warm, darkness of your sneakers and tennis shoes are the perfect breeding ground for the fungus to grow. So unless you’ve been wearing shoes on your hands lately, your hands have a less likely chance to develop the fungus. But they can catch it!

No one is immune to toenail fungus, anyone can catch it from your high school PE teacher to the president, but older adults are more at risk along with the elderly due to the decreased blood circulation to the feet. Also, as we continue to age, our nails tend to get thick making us more open to the possibility of nail infections.
Did you know men are more at risk to toenail fungus infections than women? Even worse, this tendency can be passed genetically! Something to keep in mind ladies, next time you’re having the baby talk with your man, don’t forget to give his feet a good look over before you decide anything!

Toenail Fungus and You

(800) 672-0625

http://www.LaserNailTherapy.com

What is toenail fungus you might ask yourself? What exactly is causing your toenails to harden and flake off? What’s turning your once healthy and luscious nails black and yellow? I’d love to tell you! Toenail fungus is a type of infection that affects the bed and plate of of the nail. If you start noticing the growth and development of toenail fungus on your own feet or hands you should seek treatment immediately since that fungus is extremely infectious. The fungus feeds off of keratin, a type of protein our bodies produce.

It is often believed that the more discolored and distorted the nail, the further and more advanced the infection has become. Do not wait till your nails are nothing but flakey stubs inducing chronic pain to get treatment! There are several non invasive procedures you can do at home that will prevent the fungus from spreading. It has been stated that things like tea tree oil and tineacide are proven to help prevent the fungus from decaying the nail any further and stopping the infection.

Toenail fungus can be extremely difficult to get rid of the longer you wait, especially when the fungus makes contact with the cuticle. It is advised to seek medical attention from licensed podiatrists or dermatologists in your area that can provide you with sufficient antibiotics and treatment only they can provide.