Say Goodbye to Fungal Nail Infection by Understanding Its Basics and Available Treatments

Our fingernails and toenails are the most overlooked part of our body, but it doesn’t change the fact that they are important. Just like our skin and hair, nail also plays their part in regulating proper body functioning, protecting it in many ways, and providing cosmetic enhancement of our appearance.   

Maybe, this overlooking is the reason why many people suffer fungal nail infection. Fungal nail infection is a type of nail disease that develops when nail gets injured when it comes in contact with an infected salon tool. But the main reason behind the infection is exposure to excess moisture.   

As you may know, fungus grows faster as they get moisture. That is why places like public showers, public pools, and gyms are the common places to catch this infection. Apart from that, this infection can also develop due to excessive sweating. And elderly people and people with a weak immune system also have a high risk of developing fungal nail infection.  

These are the ways of how one can develop fungal nail infection. Understanding them can help in prevention from the infection. But in case you notice something suspicious in or around your nail, here are the symptoms that can help you identify the infection.   

In this condition, the fungus starts to grow in and around the nail bed and causes various visible symptoms. These symptoms include visible white patches, which start from the nail base, and with time it rises upward. Blistering of the nail is also common in this disease. This infection can also cause the skin around the infected nail to swell. And the infected nail can even change its color and turn yellow and brown. These are some symptoms that can help in understanding the infection, but for proper identification of the infection, you need to undergo some diagnostic procedure.      

Diagnostic Procedures to Determine Nail Infection   

For undergoing proper nail treatments, it is important to understand the disease and its cause. In the case of fungal nail infection, a physical examination is not enough, and it requires some diagnostic procedures. In these procedures, a sample of the infected nail is sent to a laboratory for various cultures, stained, and PCR tests. According to the report, dermatologists plan the treatment.     

Available Treatments for Fungal Nail Infection   

As we have how understood fungal nail infection, how it develops, what its symptoms are, and how they can be identified. Now here are some treatments that can help in treating the infected nail and restoring it into its original state.   

• Laser Nail Infection Treatment   

Laser nail infection treatment is a very beneficial, fast-acting, and painless treatment one can use for treating fungal nail infection. This treatment utilizes a non-ablative laser, which doesn’t damage the nail or the skin surrounding it. This treatment starts as the dermatologist adjusts the laser according to the position of an infected nail. After that, he begins the treatment by exposing the nail to the laser beam. This beam contains photons that generate heat on the nail surface. In time the infection-causing fungus began to absorb this heat. This heat starts to eliminate the moisture around the fungus causing it to stop functioning. This starts a chain reaction that eventually kills all the fungus and treats the infection.      

• Nail Rejuvenation Treatment   

You can also use nail rejuvenation treatment for eliminating fungal nail infection and restoring the nail. Nail rejuvenation is a series of process that starts with cleaning the nail. Then all the damaged parts are removed from it. And finally, the dermatologist applies a coating of nail protecting solution. Nail rejuvenation can also include the use of laser depending on the condition of the nail and the type of infection developed on it.     

• Topical Medications   

Topical medication for fungal nail infection is considered as the most effective way of treating the infection. These treatments generally include oral medications, but it can take some time for the results to show up. Some of the commonly prescribed medications of nail infection are.   

• Griseofulvin- This medication is quite effective for fingernails but not every effective for toenails. It can take quite some time for its results to show up.   
• Terbinafine- This medication is effective for both fingernails and toenails, and you have taken it regularly. Although this medication is effective, it can develop some effects.   
• Itraconazole- Dermatologists in Indore and around the world quite commonly prescribes this medication. It is also known as pulse dose, and you need to take once a week.     

Conclusion   

Nail is a hard, strong, and important part of our fingers and toes. That is why not to overlook them, treat them with proper care, and in case of any kind of infection or disease, they should be treated with proper and timely treatment. Follow these simple steps if nail care and free yourself from suffering or worry.