The Causes And Symptoms Of Nail Fungus

Nail fungus is a disease caused by fungus that usually appears on the toes. Fungus attacks this area more because your shoes create a hot and humid environment.

In addition to your toes, it can also appear on your heels, palms and between your fingers. However, the infection can spread to all parts of your body.

It is typically more common among young and adult men.

Causes

Nail fungus is contagious and can be transmitted by direct contact, with shoes, socks, swimming pools or showers. As infection is common among athletes using these facilities, the term athlete’s foot has become popular.

Wearing closed-toe shoes can increase your risk because they keep your feet moist for a long time. If you have a wound on your nails or skin, there is an even greater risk.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of nail fungus are:

• Dry, cracked skin
• Itch
• Inflammation
• Blisters

Be careful if fungus appears on your nails. This tends to cause discoloration, swelling and may even cause your nails to fall off.

To prevent fungal infections such as nail fungus, specialists recommend:

• Wash your feet daily with soap and water.
• Keep your feet dry, especially between your toes.
• Wear clean cotton socks. Also, change them as many times as necessary to keep your feet dry.
• Sandals are important in public swimming pools or showers.
• Shoes must be well ventilated and made of a natural material, such as leather.

Types

There are three types of athlete’s foot:

• Interdigital: This is the most common type of athlete’s foot and usually appears between the smallest toes. It can also cause burns, itching and spreading to the soles of the feet.
• Moccasin: This type of athletic foot may start as a slight irritation, dryness or itching. However, as it develops, the skin may begin to crack.
• Vesicular: This type is not very common and usually begins with blisters.

Complications

If your foot is swollen, hot to the touch or starts to have abscesses, visit a specialist. These symptoms may be caused by more serious infections.

Natural remedies to treat nail fungus from home

Garlic to treat nail fungus

Garlic has a compound called ajoene that acts as a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent. You can add a clove or two to your meals to speed up the healing process of any fungal infection, including nail fungus.

Option 1: Garlic infusion

A daily garlic infusion can help fight fungus from within.

Ingredients

• 3 crushed garlic cloves
• 250 ml of water

Preparation

• Heat the water with three cloves of garlic.
• When it starts to boil, turn it off, let it stand for 5 to 7 minutes and drink it.

Option 2: Olive oil and garlic

Ingredients

• 3 finely crushed garlic cloves
• 3 drops of olive oil.

Preparation

• Put the 3 cloves of finely crushed garlic in a small bowl, add 3 drops of olive oil and stir well.
• Then apply it on the affected foot.

Vinegar

The acidic properties of vinegar help kill fungi and lower the alkalinity levels in your skin, which quickly inhibits infection. Vinegar helps remove extra moisture from your feet and helps speed up the healing process.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vinegar (30 ml)

How to use it

• Apply apple cider vinegar to the foot, presenting the condition by massaging in a circular motion.
• It is important to let your foot dry and avoid wearing shoes for at least an hour.

Yogurt

Yogurt contains active bacterial cultures that are very useful when fighting bacterial infections, e.g. nail fungus. The acidophilus bacteria found in natural yogurt help fight fungal and bacterial infections.

ingredients

• 2 tablespoons yogurt (30 ml)

How to use it

• Like the other remedies, apply the yogurt on the area affected by the fungus and massage it around the area.
• Let it sit for an hour and rinse with plenty of water.