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 by Dr. Rita Louise
“Onychomycosis” and “Tinea Unguium” are both names for the condition commonly known as toe nail fungus. Thought to be only a cosmetic condition of the nails of the hands or feet, it is actually a serious health concern. This type of fungus can affect the nail bed, the matrix, or the plate of the nails.
An infection of toe nail fungus often begins as a white or yellowish spot under the top of one or more nails. As the fungus spreads and moves deeper into the nail, it can cause it to thicken, discolor, split, and become disfigured. If left unchecked and untreated, the nails can thicken so much that they can begin to press against the insides of the shoes, causing irritation and pain. As the disease progresses, it may also cause difficulty standing or even walking.
Onychomycosis is a living organism that thrives in dark, damp environments. While not athlete’s foot, this kind of fungus flourishes in the same types of environments. In addition to the ecosystem our shoes and socks offer in supporting the growth of toe nail fungus, the nails provide additional protection which allows the fungus to grow underneath them. I most cases, the nails of the toes are more often affected; however, in recent days, the number of cases of onychomycosis of the hands has increased. This is due to the number of women who wear artificial (acrylic) nails.
There are three primary types of fungus that cause onychomycosis, which are further broken down into subtypes based upon the type of fungus contracted and the progression of the infection. It is believed that diabetes, a suppressed immune system, and increased age are all factors that are associated with a higher risk of contracting toe nail fungus. Researchers indicate an increase in occurrence of toe nail fungus as the reported cases of these related disorders continue to rise.
Like athlete’s foot, there are a number of natural remedies and alternative health therapies you can employ to rid yourself of toe nail fungus.
Recommendations for Wellness
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Eat a diet composed of whole foods, including a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Reduce or eliminate foods that contain white flour and white sugars from your diet.
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It is a good idea to alternate shoes you are wearing, or make sure that you air out your shoes thoroughly before putting them back on.
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Wear natural cotton socks whenever possible. If your feet tend to sweat, change your socks often.
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Try sprinkling baking soda on your feet before putting your socks and shoes on.
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If you are using a public pool or shower, or if you change in a locker room, wear sandals to avoid infection.
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Do not use nail polish or wear artificial nails until the infection has fully cleared up. Nail polish may encourage fungal growth.
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File any affected nails thin so that topically applied treatments can penetrate the nail more effectively.
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One of the most common remedies for a toe nail fungus infection is tea tree oil used as a topical application. Grapefruit seed extract has also been shown to be beneficial when applied topically to infected nails.
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Distilled vinegar applied to infected nails is said to change the pH level of the nails, which diminishes fungal growth.
This information is provided for educational purposes only.
The descriptions of nurtritional supplements are based on the historical usage of the various ingredients. They are not intended to promote any direct or implied health claims, and actual results of usage can vary.
The statements on this Web site have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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