Nail fungus is something most people know very little about. We
may see a few different advertisements or commercials about nail
fungus treatment and prevention, but we really do not know what
nail fungus actually is. Nail fungus is a fungal infection of
the nail also known as onychomycosis in the medial world.
Studies show that while nail fungus is a common occurrence, it
will typically infect the toenails. Very seldom will nail
fungus attack the fingernails. Further studies show that
approximately twelve percent of the U.S. population has some
sort of nail fungus and it is typical with age. People aged 40
and older are the most susceptible to nail fungus. Like many
other forms of affliction, nail fungus is hereditary; it seems
to run in families. Some others may be more susceptible to nail
fungus as well such as those who have a suppressed immune system
due to certain diseases or treatments. People who have been
diagnosed with AIDS, have received transplants, are undergoing
cancer treatments are at risk.
In order to determine if you have nail fungus, you must make an
appointment with a dermatologist. They will scrape your infected
nail and submit it for microscopic examination. The nail will be
carefully examined with a microscope and, occasionally,
cultured, to determine what type of fungus is growing in the
nail. Your dermatologist will determine if you have nail fungus
and which type you have. Dermatophytes are nail fungus found in
the toenails. Yeast is the type of nail fungus found in the
fingernails.
If your dermatologist has diagnosed either type of nail fungus,
he or she will prescribe one of many varieties of treatments
available to combat the infection. In treatment of nail fungus,
there are prescriptions such as gels, creams, and lotions that
may be affective in treating mild cases of nail fungus. For
particularly harsh cases, your dermatologist may prescribe oral
medication to clear the problem. In extreme cases, the doctor
may remove the nail, either the section that is infected or the
entire nail to assist in treatment of the nail fungus.
The good news about nail fungus is, if you do get it, it can be
treated fairly quickly. There are also steps you can take to
avoid getting the infection or avoid getting it again. Talk to
your dermatologist, he or she will provide you with the
necessary information you need about nail fungus and how you
can prevent it.
Find more nail fungus resources at:
http://www.nail-fungus-hub.info
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