Onychomycosis Fungal Nail Infections

Fungal nail infections often remain untreated and become a chronic condition estimated to be responsible for 20 percent of all nail diseases. Almost 10 percent of people in Singapore suffer from the early stages of onychomycosis. By the age of 70, virtually 50 percent of people will have developed onychomycosis, making it one of the fastest-rising nail conditions. 

What Is Fungal Infection in Nails?

Fungal nail infections can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, and occupation. Yellow or white spots under the tip of a nail are the first signs of dermatophyte fungi. These symptoms might be inadequately defined as people may overlook warning signs. However, as the infection develops, nails begin to lose their colour. 

Several fungi species affect human nails, specifically onychomycosis. Onychomycosis can develop slowly without immediately noticeable signs at the onset and manifest itself when it’s too late to address the issue quickly. So, how do you understand if you have this infection before it becomes deeply chronic?

What Are Causes of Nail Infections or Onychomycosis?

What Are Causes of Nail Infections or Onychomycosis?

These days more and more people strive to live healthier lives by being more active and fit. But whether you are lifting weights at the gym or participating in a studio workout class, paying attention to personal hygiene is crucial.

So What Kills Nail Fungus Fast? 
A dedicated foot doctor or specialist may prescribe oral medications like antibiotics or remedies for external use. However, the treatment plan may take several months. New remedies for toenail fungus include topical antifungal medications like creams, sprays, and gels. These medications should be applied for at least 48 weeks and may result in irritation in the area around the finger and toenails.

Even more disappointing beyond the long treatment timeframe is the relatively low efficacy when treating toenail fungus, as only around 20 percent of patients fully recover from the disease. Thus, you may wonder if any treatment approaches available on the market show more successful results, or how to kill nail fungus naturally.

Factors that may cause and help fungal nail infections thrive  include:

• A dark and moist environment for fungal infections to thrive.
• If you excessively sweat while wearing socks and shoes.
• Tropical weather, such as in Singapore.

Apart from growing on damp parts of your body, fungi can also be contagious and spread from one person to another. Vigorous exercising makes you sweat, creating a favourable environment for fungal infection growth. Public swimming pools, steam rooms, exercise and dance studios, and shared showers at gyms are at increased risk for fungal infection.

How Can I Prevent Fungal Nail Infections? 

Since so many factors facilitate onychomycosis’ development and spread – like poor hygiene, increased sweating, and damp environments – we are all at risk. However, people with diabetes, psoriasis or other immune system disorders that decrease the blood flow to the limbs are more vulnerable to the disease. 

Adults, particularly men, have more chances to develop nail fungus than children and females. It is worth noting that onychomycosis quickly spreads between those who live under the same roof. If a person has the infection, it’s generally transmitted to other family members.

Another essential fact about onychomycosis is that other fungal illnesses can easily mimic it. That’s why the best way to detect and treat this infection early is to visit a qualified specialist like your podiatrist.

Why Is Onychomycosis Difficult to Treat

While specialists quickly diagnose mycosis, most people fail to recognise onychomycosis early-stage symptoms on their own. The infection often takes a chronic form that is challenging to cure due to a lack of effective treatments. The quick spread of disease also hinders the healing process.

It’s better to prevent the nail fungus condition rather than treat it later. 

Preventative measures include maintaining hygiene, keeping your skin clean, and changing socks daily. It is recommended to wear shoes that allow air circulation to reduce the risk of infection.

But if your finger or toenails are already infected, our clinic offers naturally derived onychomycosis topical treatment from The Foot Practice.

What Should I Do if I Have Onychomycosis

If you have onychomycosis, you should treat it at the early onset to stop its spreading. However, the absence of evident symptoms makes it almost impossible to address the infection early. When addressing the infection too late, the fungi further develop, passing onto other nails.

Our nails are made of protein keratin that provides cell and tissue growth and protects them from external damage. The nail plate is formed from approximately 50 layers of keratinocytes, which makes nails strong and resilient. 

Fungi cells systematically replicate and replace the keratin, spreading deeper into the nail bed, and bypassing the protective layers. The fungi growth will lead to the deterioration of the nail plate and the nail bed. If your nails become yellow or white, get thicker, and separate from the nail bed, you likely have a fungal infection. 

If you observe these changes, visit a podiatrist to start treatment immediately. Onychomycosis is not a disease that goes away on its own but progresses into a chronic condition. So, consult a podiatrist when you notice the disease’s first symptoms. 

Although the condition can affect the fingernails, onychomycosis of the toenails is more prevalent. The disease can have even more drastic consequences like the nail crumbling on the edges or affecting your walk due to pain in the toenails.

Is There a Natural Treatment for Nail Fungus Infections

If you’re looking for a natural cure for fungal nail infections, visit The Foot Practice. We offer our patients safe and natural onychomycosis topical treatment that is highly effective.

Our skin and nail care treatment is uniquely derived – a natural cure for fungal nail infections – harnessing Spirulina’s fungicidal power to start killing nail fungus instantly and once and for all. The solution also uses the same natural antifungal properties to repair damaged nails by recovering the infected nail bed.

The Foot Practice’s nailKALM® remedy, combined with the expert advice from our lead podiatrist, improves the healing process of nail fungus infections, quickly relieving the disease’s symptoms.

The antifungal activity of AMYCOT® that’s found in The Foot Practice’s fungal nail treatment in Singapore produces a putative enzymatic action that kills nail fungus fast and has little-to-no side effects in most patients. It can be used daily without irritation.