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Miss Bodyline's advice column

Nail Fungus

Wearing sandals or flip-flops, or just walking around barefoot, can be a major
embarrassment if you have thick, crumbly or yellow nails. Though nail polish may
help hide the problem, you can treat nail fungus by applying such anti-microbial
solutions as Mycocide NS. Read below for more information on how to determine if
you have a nail fungus, and how to best treat symptoms like yellow nails.
A nail fungus attacks warm, dark, moist environments like shoes, socks and
stockings, and often infects your toenail beds when the protective nail surface
becomes damaged or broken.
Your feet go through a lot of wear and tear, and activities such as running or playing
tennis can easily cause a slight rupture in the nail plate. Moisture found in shoes and
socks provides a breeding ground for the nail fungus, known medically as
“onychomycosis,” which then infects the nail bed through the break. Once the nail
fungus takes hold, it’s kept in place by the nail plate, making the nail fungus very
difficult to get rid of.
You can also become infected with a nail fungus through person-to-person contact in
such places as shared health club or pool showers. Those who often go to
professional nail salons can also “catch” a nail fungus via shared emery boards.
Symptoms: Do You Have a Nail Fungus?
A nail fungus can affect the appearance of toenails, making them unsightly.
Typically, you will first notice the infection because of nail discoloration. You may
develop green or yellow nails, or nails that turn an even darker color.
Other symptoms of a nail fungus may include:
Thick and flaky nails.
Collection of debris under the nail causing a foul odor.
Splitting of the nail.
Pit marks on the nail.
Prevent a Nail Fungus from Affecting Your Toenails
Once a nail fungus makes itself at home in your nail bed, the nail fungus can be
hard to eliminate, and needs to be treated with proper medications.
The best defense against a nail fungus and yellow nails starts with well-fitting shoes.
There should be a space, about the width of a thumb, from the end of the shoe to the
tip of the longest toe to prevent the toe from being damaged upon impact.
Once the nail fungus is present, however, treat it with any of the following methods:
Liquid and cream treatments applied topically help with a nail fungus.
Oral medications – although they can have side effects – can also help reduce nail
fungus symptoms.
Good foot hygiene, including wearing clean socks, rotating shoes and thoroughly
drying feet between the toes to prevent further spreading of infection, are good ways
to avoid a nail fungus.
Nail gels, such as Mycocide NS and nail polishes, such as Nailstat, both sold here on
FootSmart.com, are also two products that can help effectively treat yellow nails and
a nail fungus.
If the nail fungus persists after using topical treatments, however, see a podiatrist for
additional treatment.
Information on foot, leg and lower body health conditions provided by The Podiatry
Institute, dedicated to advancing the standard of care in podiatric medicine and its
effects on muscoskeletal health.

Until next time,
Miss Bodyline.