Fungal is all around us. They are more often found in warm, dark, and damp places such as communal locker rooms and showers, gyms, and local swimming pools. If you get a manicure or pedicure at a nail salon, be sure to ask how the staff disinfects their tools. Tools, such as emery boards and nail clippers, can spread fungal infections from person to person if they're not sanitized.
Who's at risk for fungal infections?
There are many different causes of fungal nail infections, and each cause has a treatment of its own. You're more likely to develop a fungal nail infection, regardless of your age, if you:
1. have diabetes;
2. have a nail injury;
3. wear artificial nails;
4. have a weakened immune system;
5. wear closed-toe shoes;
6. have a skin injury around the nail.
What are the most common symptoms of nail fungus?
1. whitish to yellow-brown discoloration;
2. thickened;
3. brittle, crumbly or ragged;
4. smelling slightly foul.
Some natural remedies for toenail fungus:
1. Oregano oil
To treat toenail fungus, apply oregano oil to the affected nail twice daily with a cotton swab. Some people use oregano oil and tea tree oil together.
