Effective Ways To Kill Fungal Infections On Nails

It’s estimated that fungal nail infections affect 10% of the population. Although, it should be noted that many of these people are older than 60. In fact, 50% of people over 60 are thought to have some form of fungal nail infection.

As you age your nails grow slower and the blood flow to your toes reduces, making it easier for fungal nail infections to take hold. It’s worth noting that a fungal nail infection will usually affect your toes but it can be found on fingernails as well.

Identifying Fungal Nail Infections

There are several different types of fungal nail infections but the symptoms are similar:

• Thickening of nails
• Discolouration – this can be yellowing of the nail bed or white spots on the nail
• Brittle nails

If you think you have a fungal nail infection it’s best to see a doctor or foot specialist as soon as possible. The earlier you get treatment the easier it is to eliminate the infection.

Fungal Nail Tablets

This is what you will usually be prescribed by a doctor. You’ll need to take them daily and it can take up to 6 months to eliminate the fungus from your nails. It is important that a doctor take a sample of your nail first to ensure they are treated the right type of fungal infection.

You are also likely to experience side effects, these include headaches, a loss of taste, nausea, itching around the nails, and often diarrhoea.

Laser Surgery

Laser surgery is a much better option when trying to eliminate fungal nail infections. It’s also much less likely to give you side effects. However, you should you a reputable specialist, such as this podiatrist in Prestons.

It means you won’t just get laser treatment. They will help you find the reason for the infection and what you can do to prevent them from returning. A laser beam is directed at infected nails and precisely set to kill the fungus on your nail bed without going deeper into the skin.

While the lasering is being done you’ll likely to feel like you have hot toes and it may even tickle. But, it will eliminate the fungal infection.

In fact, in approximately 75% of cases, you’ll only need one laser treatment session to eliminate the issue!

It should be noted that you will need to keep your feet clean and it can take several months for nail growth to resume.

Preventing Fungal Nail Infections

Treatment is effective, and if you choose the laser option it's fast. But, it's still better to avoid the fungal infection in the first place. You can do this by keeping your feet and nails clean, changing your socks daily, and making sure your feet are always dry before you put on socks and shoes. Of course, your shoes should also be comfortable and you should avoid sharing shoes or nail grooming products.

Dampness is very attractive to fungus. In short, if your feet are dry you’re unlikely to get a fungal nail infection.