Toe Nail Fungal Disease
November 9, 2009
Toe Nail Fungal Disease
Toe nail fungal disease is also called as onychomycosis. This disease is caused due to the attack of a group of fungus called dermatophytes and it affects both the finger nails and toe nails. The most commonly affected toe nails are the big and little toe nails. These fungi gets in to the toe nails when there is an injury and there it grows to cause the infection. These fungi feeds on the keratin contents present in the nails and results in dis figuration to the nails.
Causes of Toe Nail Fungal Infection
The major cause for toe nail fungal infection is trauma. You my get injury while cutting your nails or accidentally and this paves the way for the fungus. Once get in to your nails these fungi will grow quickly and when they get favorable conditions like humidity, warmness, alkalinity and lack of sunlight. This may happen when you wear wet shoes and hence personal hygiene is important to keep yourself healthy. Sharing others shoes may also put you in risk of getting this infection.
Lack of immunity is another factor that contributes to this disease. This is because when the immune power of a person is less then the fungi can multiply easily and with out much resistance. Lack of proper blood circulation also plays an important role in causing this disease. This is because the circulating blood supplies enough nutrients to the nails and thus keeps them strong and healthy.
Symptoms of Toe Nail Fungal Disease
In most of the cases infection starts from the top corner of the nail and it progress slowly to the nail bed. The fungi affected nail becomes hard and nails may turn to yellow or brown in color. The affected nail may break off easily and at times you can see white streaks on the nails. Sometimes the infected nail emits a bad odor along with some debris at the corner of the nails. The person may experience pain on the nails and it may be difficult for them to wear the shoes. In sever case the nail may fall off.
In order to prevent the infection wear clean cotton socks along with your shoes and change your socks whenever it gets wet. Also allow your foot to breath easily by removing your shoes whenever possible.
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