Causes and symptoms of nail fungus

It is however important to realise that not all loose nails are fungal infected and that a fungal infection can only be confirmed by a laboratory test.

nail fungus

Causes and symptoms of nail fungus

Fungal infections of the nails are typically caused by different types of fungi and moulds; mostly by T.Rubrum

Chances of infection:

“Nail fungus infection is 30 times higher in adults than in children, with less than 3% of children having an infection, whereas up to 90% of adults over 70 have it.  It affects up to 30% of diabetics. ” EDU-PHARM, June 2009 Dr. RM Caudwell  FCFP(SA); and are also common among those who are obese, immune deficient, and those who make use of communal areas such as public swimming pools and communal bathing.

How to prevent getting nail fungus:

Fungal spores can remain viable in certain conditions for months and can be contracted in several ways such as wearing infected shoes, wearing wet socks, wearing ill-fitting shoes and through an injury to the toenail that presents easy entry for the fungus.

What does a nail infection look like?

Loose and or fungal damaged nails look very much the same and appear as a yellowish, white or black discolouration of the nail. The technical term for loose nails is ‘onycholysis’ and that of nail fungus is ‘onychomycosis’. In the latter case the nail may also appear thickened or brittle. In severe cases the nail may break or completely disintegrate.

It is however important to realise that not all loose nails are fungal infected and that fungal infection can only be confirmed by a laboratory test. 

What are the effects of nail fungus?

Toenails are more affected than fingernails often due to the pressure of footwear and the closed and sweaty environment which encourages fungal growth. Finding a cure is tiresome and nail fungus can spread to other areas of the hands and feet if left untreated. Effects can be cosmetic or can cause severe pain and low self-esteem.  

Although fungal nail infections are not life-threatening, they’re an important health problem because of their high prevalence and poor response to therapy.

Why do we get fungal nail infections?

The fungus enters through an opening on or under an injured nail. A loose nail can therefor very easily be the forerunner of fungal infection. The cavity under the loose nail, besides perhaps getting fungal infected, “may cause the nail-bed to form a granular layer of abnormal cells on its surface. After six months of detachment, this layer is likely to prevent the adhesion of any new nail tissue, possibly leading to permanent deformity.”  Nail Magazine, 1 Dec 1997 Richard K Scherr  

Restoration of loose and or fungal damaged nails

Just killing the fungus doesn’t fix your nail!        

A loose nail without a fungus and a fungus-damaged nail ‘with a ‘DEAD’ fungus is almost the same thing.  The only way to repair the damage is by natural re-growth of the nail! 

Re-growth requires the nail bed (under the nail plate) to be soft, flexible and free of fungi.

To restore the damaged nail you need to address the damaged nail bed and inhibit any existing fungus present, or prevent the loose nail from getting infected or re-infected while re-growing. Fix 4 Nails® with its proven dual action is probably the best product to achieve this. It gets applied underneath the loose or damaged nail, directly on to the nail bed, twice a day for as long as it takes for the nail to regrow. If no growth is visible, it indicates that Fix-4-Nails® is not effective for that specific nail disorder; (there are more than 80 known causes of nail damage, of which loose nails and fungal damage are the most common.) 

Loose nails or nails with extensive fungal infection may still look disfigured for a longer period of treatment, as the nail plate grows slowly (fingernails ± 3mm and toenails ± 1.5mm per month on average) and it takes from three to eighteen months to grow out fully. A small nail will generally regrow within a period of 3 months, depending on the severity of the condition and the speed at which the nail grows. Big toenails can take anything from eighteen months to two years to recover.

To maintain and protect your healthy, beautiful nails, Fix 4 Nails®, solution under all nails once or twice a month is recommended.

Proper foot hygiene and early treatment of any skin damage or itchy skin condition or any visible discoloration of a healthy nail is indicative of possible fungal infections and needs to be addressed as soon as possible; skin conditions with an anti-fungal cream and Fix 4 Nails® for the nails. This way damage can be minimized; and early restoring can be achieved.  It is however never too late to start treatment with Fix 4 Nails®.

For Loose and Fungal Damaged Nails

Where to Buy

Fix-4-Nails®

At your local pharmacy,
or
Online
Fix for nails new packaging

For Loose and Fungal Damaged Nails

Where to Buy

Fix-4-Nails®

At your local pharmacy,
or
Online
Fix for nails new packaging