A very frequent problem that brings
us to the dermatologist is that of
a fungus infection of the nails and
difficult to get rid of. Nail fungus
starts when tiny organisms called
dermatophytes (der-MA-to-fites) get
underneath the nail and grow there
and the nails become infected they
begin to look thickened and discolored.
There can be cosmetic disfigurement
of the nails, thickening of the nails
which can result in pain or ingrown
nails; it is sometimes very difficult
to eliminate the infection.
Fungus “Fungi”
enjoy warm and moist environments
to grow in, such as Communal showers,
tight footwear when used for exercising,
provides an ideal breeding ground
for fungi. Other factors can include
exposure to pollution, lack of exercise
and an unbalanced diet.
Nails are a dead
hard form of skin much like the horn
or claw of an animal. Once a nail
is formed we cannot get any medication
into the nail from the blood stream.
In addition, medications applied directly
to the nail are not very effective.
Conventional treatment of fungal nail
infections is expensive and long-term.
Treatment may include topical preparations
and/or oral anti-fungal medications.
Nail fungus can be very stubborn to
treat and people whose infection clears
up often find that it returns soon
after discontinuing the medication.
Your
healthcare provider can prescribe
medicine for your fungal infection
that you take by mouth. Treatment
lasts 12 weeks. This medicine travels
through your bloodstream to reach
the fungus where it lives deep under
the nail in your nail bed.
A very frequent problem that brings
us to the dermatologist is that of
a fungus infection of the nails and
difficult to get rid of. Nail fungus
starts when tiny organisms called
dermatophytes (der-MA-to-fites) get
underneath the nail and grow there
and the nails become infected they
begin to look thickened and discolored.
There can be cosmetic disfigurement
of the nails, thickening of the nails
which can result in pain or ingrown
nails; it is sometimes very difficult
to eliminate the infection.
