Re[2]: Nail fungus/ Vicks Vaporub

[Guest guest]

Melaleuca Tea Tree Oil is excellent for this too.

Barth

TOXIC MOLD SURVEY: www.presenting.net/sbs/sbssurvey.html

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PC>   Treating nails with fungus infection - I have found that Vicks Vaporub

will cure this problem IF the infection is not too far along. It may work even

if the whole nail is infected - I don't

PC> know as I got relief before that happened. You need to coat the nail and

skin every day for a few WEEKS. Also, the rough skin elsewhere on your foot. I

can't promise this will work but it has

PC> worked for others and is a lot safer than taking antifungals. Worth a try.

PC>   a

PC>   Posted on Thu, Jun. 24, 2004

PC>     http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/living/8997640.htm

PC>   Discolored toenails nothing to be ashamed of

PC>   Dear Dr. Sangani:

PC>   I am in my late 40s. As long as I remember, I have had ugly-looking

PC>   toenails. They are discolored and brittle.

PC>   I have been to several cosmetologists, and they have not been able to

PC>   help me. I am thinking of going to a foot doctor, but before I go to

PC>   him, I just wanted to ask you and make sure I was doing the right

PC>   thing. I do not want to be laughed at in his office.

PC>   - Afraid of Being Laughed At

PC>   Dear Afraid of Being Laughed At:

PC>   First of all, the rule of maintaining health is that no question is

PC>   stupid and no symptom - however trivial - should be ignored. I am all

PC>   in favor of you going to the foot doctor to get your toenails

PC>   examined.

PC>   While I have your attention, let me enlighten you with one of the

PC>   diagnoses from which you may be suffering. There is a good likelihood

PC>   that you may be suffering from a fungal infection of the nails called

PC>   onychomycosis. The infection usually occurs in the feet first.

PC>   You will see fine scaling a little ways up the side of the foot. Many

PC>   people think this is dry skin. The big toe is usually the first to

PC>   have the nail affected, but all nails are susceptible, and one or

PC>   several of the nails may be affected.

PC>   Many people have or have had tinea pedis, or athlete's foot, as well.

PC>   The disease begins with a whitish, yellowish or brownish

PC>   discoloration of the distal corner of the nail, which gradually

PC>   spreads to the entire width of the nail plate. The distal portion of

PC>   the nail plate breaks away or is picked away by the patient, exposing

PC>   the nail bed, which is in fact the site of the fungal infection.

PC>   The condition persists indefinitely if left untreated. Onychomycosis

PC>   is associated with 50 percent to 60 percent of abnormal appearing

PC>   nails. It is important to establish the presence of the fungus before

PC>   beginning treatment. The medications are expensive and many insurance

PC>   companies require a positive diagnosis before they will authorize

PC>   reimbursement for medication.

PC>   KOH examination of scrapings from the nail bed are the best means of

PC>   confirming the diagnoses in patients with a clinical picture.

PC>   Q: Where does fungus come from?

PC>   A: Fungi are all over - in the air, the dust, and the soil. The

PC>   belief that you catch fungus from shower floors, locker rooms,

PC>   swimming pools and unhygienic people is not so. Hygienic measures

PC>   such as spraying socks and footwear sound sensible and perhaps these

PC>   measures can even help. Daily washing of the feet and drying between

PC>   the toes can help to prevent nail fungus.

PC>   Q: Is nail fungus contagious?

PC>   A: No.

PC>   Q: What is the treatment?

PC>   A: Treatment is indicated and antifungals are recommended. The dosage

PC>   may be given daily for six to 12 weeks depending on whether the

PC>   fingernails or toenails are involved.

PC>   All the azoles can cause liver toxicity and routine monitoring of the

PC>   liver function test during therapy is necessary. Patients should be

PC>   advised that improvement will continue after oral therapy has

PC>   stopped; it may take months to accurately cure. Repeat course of the

PC>   therapy can be tried if the patient experiences a recurrence.

PC>   A topical antifungal nail lacquer, ciclopirox, has been approved by

PC>   the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of mild to moderate

PC>   onychomycosis.

PC>   Q: What other conditions are mistaken for fungal nails?

PC>   A: Lines and ridges are common and may be considered normal. Whitish

PC>   or yellowish nails due to onycholysis or separation of the nail from

PC>   the nail bed can also be mistaken for the disease. The treatment is

PC>   to trim the nail short and it is OK to polish if you want to hide the

PC>   color.

PC>   Red or black nails due to blood under the nail is usually due to

PC>   trauma and goes away by itself. Green nails are caused by pseudomonas

PC>   bacteria and no antibiotics are needed. The treatment of a green nail

PC>   is to trim the nail short and it is OK to polish it.

PC>   Pitted nails may be associated with psoriasis or other skin problems

PC>   that affect the nail matrix.

PC>   Swelling and redness of the skin around the nail is called

PC>   paronychia, a condition that occurs when yeast infects a damaged

PC>   cuticle. Applying a topical anti-yeast cream may work.

PC>   ----------------------------------------------------------------------

PC>   ----------

PC>   Submit questions to Dr. Bharat Sangani at sangani@... or 5601

PC>   Sound Bluff Road, Ocean Springs, MS 39564. 

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