With the approach of summer, ugly and imperfect nail can cause a lot of embarrassment. Wearing sandals or going out barefoot feels great in warm weather, however when the nails are thick, stained and unsightly, you may feel terrible. Luckily, there are treatment options.
Stained, thick and unsightly nail can be caused by numerous problems, but the most widespread is a fungal infection, or onychomycosis. A study says that about half of nail disorders result from fungal infections. The organism that most frequently causes fungal infections is called Trichophyton rubrum. These infections are more common in the feet than hands for quite a few reasons. Fungal spores are pretty common in the environment, and we come across them daily. Though, if not the spores find a positive place to bloom, no infection can arise.
Successful treatment starts with a proper assessment of the problem. If your nails are very thick, yellowed or blackened, have a white powder coating, are very fragile and break easily, such signs are symptoms of a fungal infection. For people, who do not observe any of these symptoms, it is probable that a different problem is causing nail damage.
When it is indistinct what the problem is, seek a consultation of a Podiatrist or Dermatologist, this will help decide the proper cause of the problem. Treatment options for onychomycosis include surgical removal, oral medications and topical preparations.
Removal of the nail can give quick results. Several oral medications are approved for fungal infections, but may take 3 to 6 months to work, and reappearance was found to be a problem. These drugs are metabolized by the liver and can cause damage. Also, both of these methods can be expensive.
A cheaper solution is the topical medication. This treatment can be performed at home and is significantly less expensive. In most cases, early treatment with topical preparations can give theatrical improvement in the nails.
