In case you become aware of certain changes in the colors or firmness of your toenails, then there is a good chance that you are witnessing the development of toenail fungus. This condition appears when a fungus starts growing in the toenail or on the skin beneath the toenail. Cracks in the skin or toenails are usually the things that trigger the occurrence of toenail fungus.
It is good to mention that this is not a very serious condition, but there is no doubt that it is an annoying, frustrating, and very persistent issue. Contrary to popular belief, this fungus is very common.
As already mentioned, the occurrence of toenail fungus is not something that should make people start panicking. However, in case it is not dealt with in a proper manner, this fungus can grow and expand on other body parts like the skin. If this is the case, you’ll be dealing with a much more serious problem. So, it doesn’t really matter whether summer is coming or not, you should get rid of toenail fungus before it becomes a more serious problem.
Toenail Fungus Triggers
If you are like most people then you are probably in your shoes and sock most of the day. Surely, this practice makes your feet warm all the time and makes you comfortable, but you should know that this practice also provides the ideal growing ground for fungus. It develops in damp, warm, and moist places and this is the reason why these infections are occurring so frequently. When the fungus reaches the toenail it will start expanding very fast.
The fungus can grow easily and many things cause fungal infections. In case you are dealing with some different kind of fungal infection like jock itch or athlete’s foot, it can easily affect the toenails too. In addition, the fungus can be spread through direct contact with an individual who already has the infection.
There is another cause that people usually forget – using pedicures. In case they use equipment that is not appropriately sanitized or disinfected, this equipment becomes a source of infections. So, next time you visit a beauty salon, ask them how they disinfect their tools before you actually have a treatment. You certainly don’t want to make your toenails look more attractive and pick up a fungal infection at the same time.
Toenail Fungus Symptoms
In case you’ve developed toenail fungus, you will definitely witness certain changes in the way your toenails look. According to many experts, the most common sign of this infection is the changing of the color of nails which usually become darker. The reason is simple – there is an accumulation of fungus under the nails and as a result that they look darker.
Of course, there are some other frequent signs of this infection – nails that are getting thicker, very brittle, and prone to breaking and cracking. In case there are big pieces of nails that fall off on their own or the toenail is not fully attached to the skin, then you probably have toenail fungus.
In addition, observe differences in your nail’s shape. White spots and yellow streaks on the nails are another sign of infection.
In most cases, fungal infections don’t cause pain in the developing stage, but they tend to be unpleasant after some period of time. If they are not treated for a long time, they can cause pain in the toes and you will have difficulties wearing certain shoes and you will feel pain even when you are resting.
The Best Nail Fungus Home Remedies
Category of People Prone to Toenail Fungus
The fact is that toenail fungus was detected in people of all ages and different lifestyles. However, there are specific triggers that can increase the chances of developing this health issue.
Those who have a family history of toenail fungus or a disease or ailment that weakens the immune system like diabetes or HIV are more prone to toenail fungus emergence.
In addition, if your feet are often damp, you are at a higher risk of developing toenail fungus. Some of the things that lead to this situation are wearing very tight footwear, wearing boots for a long time, jogging and running, and walking without shoes in wet areas like public showers and changing rooms for example.
Here’s How To Get Rid Of Ingrown Toenail Without Surgery
Heal Toenail Fungus With Olive Oil and Oregano Oil
The good news is that there are many different options for treating this infection in a natural way and they have proven to be efficient in the majority of cases of toenail fungus. The best part is that they are inexpensive, efficient, and easy to prepare.
According to many people who have used such remedies, a combination of olive and oregano oil is one of the best solutions for this problem. It turns out that oregano oil is a very strong oil that comes with outstanding fungicidal effects. In other words, it can destroy fungal infections, but only when it is used in the right way.
Oregano oil is so strong, that you should avoid using it directly on the skin because it can lead to redness, rashes, irritation, and a burning sensation. So, don’t use 100% oregano oil on the skin directly. In order to apply this oil in a safe way, you must use a carrier oil to dilute it a little bit. If you create a mixture of oregano oil and other suitable oil, you will still be able to feel the benefits of its fungicidal effects without the side effects.
There are many people who believe that using water is the best way to dilute oregano or other types of oil that are too strong for our skin, but we must point out that you will miss the results. Oil and water cannot be mixed because of their specific structure. The same goes for oregano oil.
Experts believe that virgin olive oil is the ideal carrier oil for oregano oil. This oil is inexpensive and it is often used in natural and commercial skincare products. When combined with oregano oil, you will get a mixture that will help you get rid of toenail fungus and boost the health of this area.
It is advised to use 3-4 drops of oregano oil for every teaspoon of virgin olive oil. It was confirmed that only a small amount of oregano oil is sufficient to fight fungicidal infections.
This treatment is very simple. Use this mixture directly on the problematic areas and in the areas around them because sometimes the infection can spread without the typical signs. After that, keep the foot uncovered and wait until the foot completely absorbs the oily mixture. In this way, the fungus will gradually be eliminated.
This treatment can be used when you are reading a book or magazine, watching TV, working on your computer, or simply when you are relaxing and resting. In case you want to walk around, put on a pair of flip-flops. By putting on shoes or socks while the feet are still damp, you will ruin the effects of this treatment.
By performing this natural treatment on a daily basis, you can rest assured that the toenail fungus will be gone in less than 30 days. In some cases, two weeks are enough to get rid of this persistent infection.
So, next time you notice some signs of toenail fungus don’t be afraid. Just visit the local health food store and buy these oils.
Via Prevention | Single Care