What should I do if I get nail fungus or a different fungal infection?

A nail fungal infection is quite possibly one of the most undesirable and embarrassing topics of conversation people face. The advertisements for nail fungus infection treatments strike fear in a person as well as leaving them queasy with the horrifically graphic pictures of serious infection fungus nails.

The truth is; however, nail fungus infection problems are increasing today and knowing how to treat nail fungus can help you to prevent the more serious symptoms and find a cure.

Nail fungus is contagious and the slightest contact with the right conditions can result in a fungal infections.

Once the fungus nail embeds it begins to eat away at the nail and can eventually cause the nail to crumble, disfigure and detach from the nail bed all together. Not only is this unsightly but is also very painful and embarrassing.

Usually the first symptoms are a hardening and thickening of the nail as well as a discoloration such as yellowing or slightly brown.

Treating nail fungus at this stage is nearly always successful when combined with good hygiene and prevention.

Early treatments can be home remedies of a nail soak and topical treatments. Soaking the nails for twenty minutes each day in either apple cider vinegar or Listerine mouth wash is often effective and a topical rub of tea tree oil and lavender oil will help rid you of the infection. Treatment must be continued a couple of months beyond the disappearance of symptoms.

The second stage of the fungal infection is the nail lifting and debris being caught under the nail creating additional pain and discomfort.

The nail will continue to disfigure and begin breaking and splitting and is terribly unsightly. At this stage it is often recommended to obtain over the counter treatments that have a stronger chemical that can kill the fungus and treat the infection.

Even at this stage there are a variety of all natural fungus treatments that are very effective. The treatments must continue for six to twelve months to be certain that the fungus has been halted and the damaged nail has completely grown out.

The final stages of a fungal infection are often a complete disfiguring of the nail, crumbling and falling off. This does not mean the fungus is gone and if it has not already it can infect other surrounding nails.

Once serious damage is being done you will likely need a prescription drug to cure the infection. These drugs are often harmful to the body and the organs and should be a last result.

While treating the infection and to avoid an infection in the first place, always keep the nails clean and dry.

Wear comfortable shoes and dry cotton socks that will wick away moisture making a less desirable environment for fungus. Always wear shoes when in a public pool or gym where fungus is often picked up.