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Steps on fighting Toenail Fungus

9th July, 2010 - Posted by health news - No Comments

The term Onychomycosis might be an unfamiliar word but as much as 10% of the world is suffering from this affliction. Onychomycosis is simply the medical term used to describe toenail fungus. Toenail fungus is a known condition that infects the keratin found on the human nails. Infected nails then become either brown or yellow in color. A number of years ago, the treatment of toenail fungus was notoriously hard to achieve. Fortunately with the use of Long Island pinpoint laser treatment methods, this process is no longer difficult. Long Island toenail fungus laser treatment is widely accepted and used amongst physicians; it is appreciated because of its pain free and highly effective results. However, the laser toenail fungus treatment is only employed when an infection has occurred. People are therefore encouraged to prevent these infections from occurring in the first place.
Some of the ways by which foot infections can be prevented includes
o Avoid wearing humid or sweaty shoes or socks: In order for the pathogen to develop, the environment has to be warm or moist. Wearing dry shoes and socks will prevent this. People who exercise regularly is encouraged to take off their foot apparel immediately after they are done.
o Use foot powder: A little foot powder will go a long way in keeping the feet and toes free of moisture. The actions of the powder absorb most of the sweat that occurs on the feet.

o Do not use the same your nail clippers with people: Sharing clippers with other people will significantly increase the likelihood of a person experiencing a foot infection. {Every now and then the pathogens responsible for foot infections are carried alongside the blade ends. In the same vein, regular visitors of nail salons which make use of unsterilized tools are more likely to contact foot infections. The risk of an individual developing an infection is also more likely if there is a bruise on his/her feet. Statistics show that, men are found to be twice as likely as developing an infection.

o Wear foot apparels that provide breathing room for your feet: Damp feet are triggered by warm conditions. By wearing socks made out of natural fabric such as cotton, it is possible to reduce the development of these conditions. It is also advised that people take care of their feet by washing and drying them properly whenever they are moist.

o Refrain from keeping your nails long: Individuals who do not trim their nails are more likely to develop infections. This is because long nails can easily be bent when a person’s feet is knocked against something hard. A damaged nail bed increases the likelihood of infections growing from within. Short and well trimmed nails are an effective way of preventing this.
These are just some of the effective ways through which infections can be prevented. In the event that people do develop infections or feel pain, it is vital that they seek the attention of a physician or dermatologist with no delay. Doing this will prevent the infections from getting worse. The earlier they are treated, the better.