Health Conditions and Nail Fungus – Can My Medical Problem Be the Cause of My Nail Fungus?

Nail fungus is a condition which generally attacks the toenails or fingernails through tiny cuts near or underneath the nail. Different types of fungus can enter through these cuts and can stay alive due to the living conditions, which are perfect for the fungi.

Fungi thrive in warm moist places, which is why people tend to be infected on their toes more often than their fingers.

What are the most common causes of nail fungus?

Many things can contribute to nail fungus. Medical conditions, medications, employment needs and poor hygiene habits are all major contributors. Age is also another big contributor, because people over the age of 65 tend to be at higher risk for nail fungus infections than younger people.

What medical conditions are related to nail fungus?

Diabetics tend to be at higher risk for nail fungus, because of the problems they often have with swelling and water retention of the feet and ankles. It’s estimated that approximately a third of people with diabetes also suffer from onychomycosis.

How can I treat my nail fungus?

If you’ve surfed the web, by now you’ve noticed that there are a lot of treatment options available. No matter what people claim, it’s become clear that a trip to the doctor’s office is in order to successfully cure nail fungus. Many people will ignore their building symptoms because they may not be uncomfortable or painful, but ignoring the problem leaves the patient open for the infection to spread to other toes or fingers or to worsen and become painful or itchy.

Treatment options vary from prescribed oral medications, prescribed creams to over-the-counter medications. There is a lot of information suggesting treatment options using Listerine, Vicks VapoRub and more, however, none of these treatment options are proven to cure nail fungus.

How can I avoid future outbreaks?

Prevention is key to treatment being effective. Diabetics should seek the medical advice from a podiatrist immediately if they feel like they may have a fungal infection. When trimming your toenails, be careful and trim straight across, but not too short. The top of your toenail is the most vulnerable to infection.

Make sure you wash your feet regularly and that you dry thoroughly after each time you bathe. Avoid walking barefoot in public places such as locker rooms, swimming pools and changing rooms. Always wear protective footwear when necessary to avoid walking barefoot.

If your feet tend to sweat a lot, you may be at a higher risk for infection. You can help avoid toenail fungus by changing your socks often and keeping the insides of your shoes and feet dry using talc and other drying powders. You can also keep moisture under control by wearing special socks called moisture wicking socks.

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