Prevent Fungus – August 2010

Prevent Fungus

by Tammy Taylor

Some Examples:

• Having a pedicure done with dirty implements, or a dirty spa tub.
• Having a manicure done with dirty implements.
• Slamming nails in a door.
• Pulling nails backwards on car door handles.
• Picking off artificial nails instead of soaking them off.
• Using a drill on top of the naked natural fingernail, causing heat and friction.
• Any puncture to the Hyponychium.
• Wearing toenails too long and shoes too tight.
• Cleaning out from under fingernails with a metal implement.
• Fingernails too long for an active life style.
• Clipping toenails too short and cutting the Hyponychium.
• Strong cleaning chemicals.
• Gardening without gloves.

Some signs you might see or feel after the trauma or damage, but… before the nail fungus (Onychomycosis) starts:

• Loosening of the fingernail plate.
• A feeling like a little splinter is under the natural fingernail, but you cannot see it.
• The nails feel sensitive when picking up something or hitting them against something.
• The natural fingernail feels loose.
• The natural fingernail looks like the white free-edge is growing down the nail-bed, and the pink nail-bed is getting shorter.

Q: What can you do to help prevent nail fungus?
A: Keep nails clean.
Onycholysis (loosening of the fingernail plate) is not a fungus but it is susceptible to fungus, so natural fingernails must be kept clean.