Cover Up and Treat Those Unsightly Fungal Toenails
 

Let’s face it -fungal toenails is a not a pretty condition.  Once infected with fungus, the toenails turn all sorts of color-and not any color that you want to paint house with. Also known as onychomycosis, nail fungal infections are the most common diseases of the nails, making up about 50% of nail abnormalities. Between six and eight percent of the adult population suffers from nail fungus infection.
Getting back to color and appearance of fungal toenails-Fungal toenails typically are thickened, brittle and can turn green, black or yellowish in color. Frequently there is an excessive accumulation of dead skin under the nail. Sometimes becomes loose and detaches from the underlying skin. The thickened toenail can be a source of irritation as the nails rubs on top of the shoes. On other occasions the thickened nail can cause an ingrown nail and infection. And to top it off-there can be a noxious odor associated with fungal toenails.

So what is the culprit causing these nasty changes?

Nail fungal infections are caused by microscopic organisms called fungi. Most fungal toenails are caused by a group of organisms a group of fungi called dermatophytes. However, some yeasts and molds also cause these infections.
Who are lucky ones who get fungal toenails? Virtually any from infancy to old age can get fungal nails. Active people who often perspire are susceptible to the infection and older people-those with poor circulation or with diabetes are especially prone to fungus.

Treating fungal Toenails-let me count the ways

Let’s see there is oral medication or topical preparations that you paint on the nail on the basis. There is oral medication such as Lamisil or at least 25-30 topical medications to choose from-which one do I choose?   The oral meds like Lamisil is absorbed into the blood and treat the fungus on a cellular level. Oral medications take about six to nine months to clear the infection-additionally can be side effects with these meds. Topical medications absorb through the nail plate to the nail root. Statistically the topical are not very effective-the overall success rate is usually well under 50%.
I have hearing about laser treatment for fungal toenails-does it work?  
My personal opinion is that it more hype than it is effective.  Its effectiveness has not been proven and additionally it is expensive (usually not covered by insurances) and it can be painful as well.

So what is a person to do? 

My personally opinion is that unless the fungal toenails poses a medical problem- as with people with diabetes who run a greater risk of bacterial infection-I believe one of the best options to cover up the nail  with a polish with an infused antifungal ingredient. daniPro nail polish is a safe, organic polish. It has been formulated without cancer causing chemicals such as formaldehyde, DBP or toluene.  daniPro and other similar products are infused with Undecylenic acid, a proven topical antifungal medication.  To be clear, daniPro will not cure fungal toenails. It can however be preventive-and for the men-there is a clear nail cover-up that has the same safe ingredients along with the antifungal.