Your skin is the largest and most sensitive organ of your body. Funguses that live in the human body especially armpits, groin area, nails, and feet, cause fungal skin infections. Weak immunity is the leading cause, with over 300 million people fighting fungal infections globally, every year.

Some of the common types of fungal skin infections are-

  Athlete s foot- Also known as Tenia pedis, Athlete s foot occurs when the tenia fungus begins to grow on your feet. It is most commonly associated with athletes because it grows in warm and moist climates such as in socks, near swimming pools and in locker rooms.

Symptoms of athlete s foot  

Infected area becomes soft and layers of skin begin to peel off
Redness, blisters, and cracking of skin
Treatment includes applying of topical antifungal ointments such as terbinafine while, severe cases may require oral medication.

  Ringworm   Ringworm is a highly contagious skin infection and is spread by person-to-person or pet to person contact. The fungus can also spread through infected towel, clothes, and mud.

Symptoms of Ringworm  

Red itchy patches on the skin which develop into raised ring like bumps
Formation of scales on the patches
Treatment of the infection includes medicines like miconazole.

  Jock  s itch- Also known as Tinea Cruris, these fungi thrive in moist and warm areas of the body such as the groin, inner thighs and buttocks.

Symptoms of Jock s itch  

Itchy red circular rashes over the body and burning
Chafing and peeling of the infected area
Treatment includes prescribed medication and maintaining personal hygiene.

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to fungal infections. Visit a doctor at the first signs of infection. A medical exam is the best way to detect the cause of a skin infection.

Fungal Infection Of Skin And Its Treatment!

Your nail health might serve as a primary indicator of your overall health. Your nails need proper care to remain strong and healthy. If you notice dents or ridges on them, then it might indicate an underlying medical condition , which would require prompt medical attention. Healthy finger nails are supposed to be smooth and uniform in color with no spots or discoloration. Sometimes, there can be development of harmful vertical ridges from the tip of your nail till the cuticle, which can become more prominent as you grow older.

There are many ways to keep your nails clean and healthy:

Good nail hygiene: You should always use good quality sharp clippers or manicure scissors. The proper way to cut your nails is to trim the nails straight across and then round the tips in a gentle curve.
Keep fingernails dry and clean: You can prevent the growth of bacteria under your fingernails if you keep them clean. Wear a pair of cotton lined rubber gloves while performing activities, such as using harsh chemicals or washing dishes.
Biotin supplements: Biotin supplements can increase the thickness of your nails and also prevent splitting and breaking. Biotin is a member of the vitamin B family and helps the body to convert food into energy.
Don t go for professional manicures: Going for professional pedicure or manicure on a regular basis can make your nails dry and brittle. Another way to remedy the problem is to take your own tool to the manicure salon, which reduces the chance of infection. Regular professional manicure can make you suffer from nail bed infections, which can be chronic in nature.
Avoid acetone: Using acetone based polish removers, will strip your nail of the essential nutrients in due course of time thus, making them brittle.
Don t bite: Avoid biting your fingernails as this can damage the nail bed. Bacteria or fungi can enter through a small cut along the fingernail, which can cause an infection.
Do not ignore minor problems of the nail: If you have some infection in your nails which doesn t seem to go away, then there are chances of the infection being a result of some other underlying health condition. You should immediately get the problem evaluated by a doctor or a dermatologist.

Nail Health - 7 Things You Must Ensure 

Nail fungus is a fungal infection that develops under the tip of the toenail or the fingernail. It has a whitish or yellowish appearance and as the condition progresses, it causes the affected area of the nail to thicken, discolor and crumble at the edges. Usually this condition does not require any treatment, but if it turns severe, then you may require treatment to limit it from spreading.

The symptoms of this disorder are:
1. The affected nail thickens
2. There can be distortion in the shape of the nail
3. The nail can become crumbly and ragged
4. Discolored nails that lose its natural shine
5. Accumulation of debris on the nail
The infected nail may also be separated from the nail bed, causing pain and a foul odor.

Causes
The condition is usually caused by the dermatophyte fungus. In some cases, molds and yeasts can also cause fungal infections. Fungi are microscopic organisms that have certain characteristics such as:
1. They can cause complications if your nails are often exposed to moist and warm conditions
2. They usually thrive in moist and warm conditions such as showers and swimming pools

3. These fungi get into the skin through small cuts on your skin

The fungus usually affects toenails because, when you wear shoes, a warm and moist environment is created which is the perfect breeding spot for the fungus. The factors that can increase your chances of getting affected by this fungal infection are

1. Heavy perspiration
2. Athlete s foot (a condition which is characterized by rashes between the toenails)
3. Older people are affected more as blood circulation is reduced
4. Wearing socks for extended periods of time creates warm and a humid condition for the fungi to grow
5. Certain medical conditions such as diabetes

Treatments
There are certain medications that are used to treat fungal infections:

Oral anti fungal drugs: These medications help in getting rid of fungal infections.
Nail creams: There are certain anti fungal nail creams available that you can apply on your nails to get rid of this condition.

Nail Fungus - Understanding the Causes and Symptoms

Research has shown that nail paint contains chemical substances that can be harmful to the body. These chemicals can enter the body through the pores of the nails. The health eradication is applicable for people who are applying on their nails and salon workers who apply nail art to their clients, day in and day out. Here is one must know before applying the beautiful shades of color on the nails:

What are the harmful agent present in nail paint?
There are three dangerous industrial chemicals that are mixed with nail paint that is dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and formaldehyde. Owing to their notorious health implications, these chemicals are known as toxic-trio. Toluene is used as a solvent in nail polish that aids smoother finish and holds the pigment together from separating inside the bottle. It, however, affects the reproductive system and the central nervous system. Similarly, dibutyl phthalate and formaldehyde can cause a problem in breathing, internal hemorrhage etc.

Health Hazards: Regular to health care products-nail paint, in particular, can have a wide range of health implication. From skin irritation to an eye injury, allergic reaction to breathing problems once can face a lot of problems that are totally uncalled for. Research also indicate that regular exposure to nail paint crop up neurological problems, impair the process of body development, affect the reproductive system etc. Research conducted by the Cancer Prevention Institute, California showed that there is an increased risk of cancer for people who work at beauty care salon due to their increased exposure to beauty products.
Problems related to pregnancy: Frequent nail paint can lead to a premature pregnancy. Some other problems related to pregnancy include undersized babies, spontaneous birth of the baby and preterm delivery. There have been too many instances of failed pregnancies witnessed among beauty salon workers. Some other symptoms that are related to mail paint exposure that is seen during pregnancy include chronic headaches, very low appetite, lethargy etc.
Way forward: It is evident that nail paint can pose a serious threat to women in general. The best way to go forward is to choose a nail paint that has a low toxicity rating- preferably within 2. This can be a little challenging since most beauty products do not portray the toxicity rating. If the latter is not mentioned in the body of the product, go for a product, that states the absence of chemical product. Organic nail paints can be the best alternative to address the challenges of conventional nail paint.
However, the availability of organic nail paint is still a challenge. Not many companies sell it, the consumer base for these beauty products are thin as well.

Nail Paints - 3 Reasons You Must Stop Using Them!

How To Take Care Of Nail Health 

Nails significantly reveal about your overall health.When well taken care of, nails not only look good but they also help you stay healthy.
Follow these tips for a shining nails.
1. Moisturize - Use a Hand-Nail cream regularly to avoid ragged cuticles and flakey skin. Moisture keeps your nails in a good shape.

2. Mild Soaps - Use specially formulated hand foams to wash your hands. Certain anti-bacterial soaps can strip away layers of essential oils from your skin, thus leaving your palms dry and even itchy.

3. Massage - Massage your cuticles regularly. This will help improve blood circulation to the tips as well as stimulate the entire nervous system promoting the growth of strong and healthy nails.

4. Manicure - Treating your hands once a month to a relaxing manicure is an excellent idea. Not only do your nails end up looking fabulous but the additional TLC will go a long way in ensuring that your hands don’t look twice their age. Scrubbing off the dead cells, applying a ‘hand mask’ and then some relaxing massage as you close your eyes to some soothing music, is just what ‘nail therapy’ is all about.

5. Maintain - It’s a common knowledge that the skin on our hands tends to age quicker as it is often left exposed to the elements such as the harsh sun or extreme winters. To maintain your manicured nails, use a sunscreen regularly and wear gloves in the winters and even while going about household chores such as doing the dishes or mopping the floor.

If you would like to consult with me privately, please click on 'Consult'.

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 Are Your Nails Telling Others About Your Health?

People are often seen biting their nails in situations mostly when they are nervous or scared. But this habit of nail biting is extremely dangerous to health. Nail biting, also called onychophagy or onychophagia in a medical dictionary, is a sign of tumult and confusion, which leads to nervousness. In addition, this habit also disrupts the natural growth of nails.

Reasons why you must stop biting your nails:

Biting your nails helps the germs and bacteria enter directly into your mouth and then to your stomach. This is the reason kids are taught to wash hands properly with soap before and after meals.
This habit can raise the risk of ingrown nails (nails growing under the skin) or hangnails (open sores that can easily get infected), such problems are cured only through surgery.
It is bad for your oral health, as your teeth may start chipping or breaking. Plus, germs in your fingers could infect your gums, causing bad breath.
Biting can spoil the shape of your nails and slows down the actual growth.
If you have a wart, biting your fingernails raises the risk of spreading warts to other parts of your hands.
Now that you are aware of the harmful effects of biting nails, here are few tips to help you avoid biting your nails:

Keep them short: People tend to bite nails when they are long. Thus, keeping short nails will prevent nail biting. 
Keep yourself busy: Often people bite their nails when they are sitting idle. Keeping yourself busy helps you to forget the habit, and eventually overcome the habit.
Start using chewing gum: Another useful trick to prevent nail biting is to start chewing a gum.
Gradually stop biting your nails: Some doctors recommend taking a gradual approach in order to break the habit, begin with one set of nails, you can go ahead with your thumbnails first. Once you are successful, gradually move on to other fingernails.
Conclusion:
As per a study, it has been found that almost 70% of people have the habit of biting nails. After reading this article, they must realize the fact that nail-biting is extremely dangerous not only for your nails but for your overall health. Following the aforementioned tips can help you get rid of this habit. Of course, it will take time for you to stop this bad habit of nail-biting. But the fact is that it will save you from many diseases. It will also give your nails an even growth and beautiful appearance. In case of a query, you can consult an expert and get answers to your questions.

Nail Biting - Stop! Do You Know It Is Dangerous For Your Health?

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