Fungus Among Us

There is nothing more embarrassing than a bad case of nail fungus. Nail fungus is rarely disabling or really even painful but it is a nuisance. One of the most common problems is toenail fungus. The medical name for this is onychomysosis. About 15% of people have it and nearly half of people over the age of 70 have nail fungus. But it is not just a disease of old people.

What happens is that the nail, usually the big toe or small toe, thickens and becomes discolored. The end may separate from the nail bed. You notice debris when you cut your nail and your nail is often so thick you can't even cut it.

People with diabetes have a greatly increased risk for toenail fungus and other foot disorders but I am not going to cover diabetic foot conditions here.Please see:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/60048/the_diabetic_foot_and_loss_of_sensation.html

Smoking and being over the age of 60 increases your chances of having nail fungus. Discolored, thick, ugly nails are unwelcome, no matter what the age, especially when you want to wear sandals or go barefoot. There are plenty of heresay remedies. Some popular measures can be harmful like dipping the toes in bleach. Others are ineffective and unproven like daily applications of Vicks VapoRub, Campho-Phenique, tea tree oil, toothpaste or soaking the toe in rum or sea water. Drug stores and health-food store all sell salves and potions and seem to work but the fungus eventually gets better or worse on its own. No remedies can penetrate to where the fungus is.

Nail fungus usually develops on nails that are continually exposed to warm, moist environments, such as sweaty shoes and shower floors. It can also be picked up in public gyms and swimming pools, and it can be passed among family members. Athletes who wear tight-fitting shoes or tight hosiery that causes trauma to the toes or keeps the feet from drying out are at high risk. The condition can be spread from one toe to the other and also to other parts of the body.