Top 10 Questions to Ask About Nail Fungus

A large number of people all over the world is affected by nail fungus; however, not everyone realizes the seriousness of the situation and do not have the information they may need. 

Additionally, the information that many people do have is faulty and simple misconceptions that must be corrected.  To help people better understand nail fungal infections we have come up with the top 10 questions (and answers) to ask about nail fungus.

If you think you have a serious nail fungus infection then the recommended products are ZetaClear, Funginix or Healing Natural Oils these are all effective.

1. What is nail fungus?  Nail fungal infections are called dermaphytes; a micro-organism that is devoid of chlorophyll and therefore thrive in dark conditions.  The same fungi’s can cause athlete’s foot as well as nail fungal infections.

2. What are the symptoms of a nail fungus infection? The symptoms can vary with the type of fungal infection as well as the severity.  Most commonly it begins with a discoloration of the nail as well as a thickening of the nail.  In most cases the initial stages of a fungal infection causes no pain but can quickly become unsightly.

3. Is everyone susceptible to nail fungus?  Anyone can get a nail fungus infection; however, people who are aged, or who have immune systems that are compromised are more vulnerable to the attack of the dermaphytes. 

4. Is nail fungus contagious?  Under certain circumstances, yes, fungal infections are contagious.  If you have any damage to the nail bed, the cuticle or the nail matrix and you come in contact with the fungus you can contract it.  Nail fungal infections can commonly be spread at nail salons that do not practice stringent sterilization of instruments.  Just as athlete’s foot can be caught and spread in places like public pools or public gyms where people tend to walk around on warm moist surfaces with bare feet, toenail fungus too can be caught.

5. Why the nails?  This type of fungus thrives in areas that are warm, moist and often dark and it feeds on keratin, the same substance that our nails are made of.  It works its way under the nail where it is protected by the nail and it feeds off of the inner part of the nail resulting in disfiguration and sometimes a detachment of the nail from the nail bed.

6. Which are worse fingernails or toenails?  Toenails are more susceptible to infection and are more difficult to cure because of the perfect breeding ground being warm, moist and dark.  Healthy toenails can become weakened by wearing tight fitting shoes making them more apt to become infected by fungal spores.  The moist dark atmosphere inside the shoes helps the fungus to really take a hold.

7. Is nail fungus serious?  Nail fungus may start rather slow with a simple thickening and or discoloration of the nail and may stay that way for a number of years.  The fungus is still growing and the longer it is left untreated the more difficult it will be to eliminate.  Eventually, left untreated, serious damage and even loss of the nail can occur.

8. Why not just paint over the ugly nails?  Using nail polish to cover up the discoloration of the nail is actually working against you.  The chemicals I the nail polish works to actually seal the nail, retain humidity and amplifies the infection.

9. Will it go away without treatment?  The answer is simple; No.  The sooner it is addressed and treated the more effective the treatment will be.  Left without treatment until the infestation is unbearable will often result in harmful oral medications or the surgical or chemical removal of the nail and fungus.

10. Can I treat a nail fungal infection myself?  Yes particularly if you begin treatment at the first signs of a fungal infection.  Soaking your affected nails in apple-cider vinegar or Listerine is an effective home remedy, rubbing tea tree and lavender essential oils into the affected nail and cuticle is also an effective treatment. 

Nail Fungus Symptoms