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What is Onychomycosis?
How can Onychomycosis be prevented?
Here's how it works...
ABOUT NAILS Toenails and fingernails are hiding places for dirt and germs, and can become a home for infection-causing fungi. Fungi are plant organisms, such as mold and mildew. An infection of the nails can be fungus invading the nail and actually living off of it. A fungal infection is one of the most difficult nail conditions to treat. Its symptoms include thickening and discoloration of the nail. In some cases the nail may crumble. The first sign of a fungal infection of the nail is a change in color. The nail often becomes yellow then brown. It gets thicker and develops a bad odor. Debris may collect beneath the nail and white marks frequently appear on the nail. The infection can spread to other nails and even the skin. Toenails are affected more frequently than finger nails and is likely to happen more frequently with age Fingernails
are formed under your cuticle and grow out toward your fingertip. Thus any injury to your cuticle can affect your nail. It takes six
months for a nail to grow from cuticle to tip, but nail growth varies
from person to person and finger to finger.
Thumb and pinky nails grow more slowly than those on the middle
and index finger. Male
nails grow a little faster than female nails.
Fast-growing nails are an indication that you are well nourished,
but no single food promotes nail growth. Taking
vitamins and minerals or increasing protein intake will not strengthen
nails. Nor will consuming
gelatin, contrary to myth and advertising. Nail ridges
and spots are seldom anything to worry about.
Many people have white lines or spots on one or more nails.
Vertical ridges or striations are often hereditary and may become
more prominent with age. Horizontal ridges are usually the result of small injuries or
overzealous manicuring. Most
dark skinned persons have pigmented bands on their nails.
Occasionally, however, ridges and other nail abnormalities are a
sign of a serious illness. Splitting
nails are usually just another version of dry skin.
Fragile nails are sometimes caused by thyroid disorders,
anorexia, and anemia ore severely deficient diets.
But most often they are must a nuisance. Dryness is an
enemy of fingernails. Hot
water and soap can dry them so can gardening or household chores.
Keeping nails wet for long periods makes them brittle when dry.
Winter is hard on nails so gloves and a moisturizer are a good
idea. Another enemy is nail products. Cuticle removers contain harsh chemicals that can make your nails drier, so do nail polish and polish remover. Chemicals in nail wraps or sculptured nails can damage nails and the nail base. The fewer compounds you apply to your nails the better.
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