What is onychomycosis? A fingerna...

What is onychomycosis?

A fingernail or toenail infection that is caused by way of a fungus is called onychomycosis (say: "on-ee-ko-my-ko-sis"). Toenails are more likely than fingernails to become infected. This infection can make your nails thick and discolored.

A warm, wet place is a virtuous place for a fungus to advance If you often wear heavy work profits that make your feet warm and sweaty, a fungus can extend around your toenails. If you frequently walk barefoot in locker chambers you can pick up a fungus from the warm, wet floors.

clan whose hands are often wet (for example, dishwashers in restaurants and professional house cleaners) are more likely to obtain fungal fingernail infections.

for what reason do I find out if I have a fungal nail infection?

descry your doctor if you think you have a fungal infection in your fingernails or toenails. Your doctor might intersect a little piece of your nail and send out it to a lab. This ordeal can tell if you have a fungal infection or another kind of infection.

by what means is a fungal nail infection treated?

Several medicines can treat fungal nail infections. a certain number of of these medicines are not safe in the community with liver or kidney question s or congestive heart failure. Be never-failing to let your doctor know if you have united of these conditions.

What can I do to take care of my nails?

* continue your nails cut short and file down any thick areas.

* Do not use the same nail trimmer or file forward healthy nails and infected nails. If you have your nails professionally manicured, bring your confess nail files and trimmers from home

* Wear waterproof glove when you are working with water (such as washing dishes or floors). Wear 100 percent cotton glove for free from moisture work.

* Wear 100 percent cotton sock Change your sock when they are damp from sweat or if your feet commit to memory wet. Put on clean, thirsty socks every day. You can place over-the-counter antifungal foot powder inside your sock to help preserve your feet dry.

* Do not walk barefoot in public areas, of the like kind as locker rooms.

COPYRIGHT 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group