Often we don’t recognize fungal infections, or we are not aware of how easily they spread. In this article, we have a look at what a Fungus is, what it looks like, and why we see them so often nowadays.
Nail fungi is a condition that starts as a little white or yellow spot under your fingernail or toenail. As the infection develops, nail fungi may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble towards the tip. It can affect several nails at the same time.
We often get asked if Athletes Feet can be treated like Nail Fungi. Absolutely. When the fungus infects the area between your toe and the skin of your foot, it’s called athlete’s foot (tinea pedis).
WHY DO WE SEE SO MUCH NAIL FUNGI LATELY?
Our lifestyles changed dramatically and we have transformed into a very active and outdoor society. We spend more time at work and in the gym. We expose ourselves to more public showers than 20 years ago.
More closed shoes for a longer period means the feet are in a damp dark space for longer, this is the ideal environment for Nail fungi to develop. We also visit salons more often and tools are not always disinfected.
WHAT CAN DO TO AVOID NAIL FUNGI?
-
Wash your hands regularly.
-
Make sure your therapist uses a strong sanitizer for all her tools, or take your own.
-
Do not share a nail file or pumice sponge at home.
-
Disinfect your shoes with alcohol and often leave them in the sun.
-
Do not wear wet sports shoes.
-
Wash socks in hot water.
The most important thing to know is that Fungus takes a while to heal and often we don’t see discoloration but this does not mean that the nail is healed.
-
Start by sanitizing all areas that come into contact with the nail. Examples include:
-
Your Keyboard/Piano/Calculator
-
Pens and stationery
-
Dishwashing sponges
-
Car Steering Wheel
-
Shoes
-
Shoe Rack
-
Shower floor
-
Nailbrush
-
Mani and Pedi Tools
-
Socks
-
etc.
2. Sanitize the area where the nail fungi are visible with your Elim Sanitizer.
3.. File the nail to expose the area and drop the Elim Fungal Force on the infected nail. Avoid contact with the nail when applying, this will stop cross-contamination.
4. When taking a shower, add one spoon of Spa additive in a foot bath and stand in the footbath while taking a shower. If you prefer a bath, you can safely add a spoonful to your bath.
5. Take care to dry your feet, between the toes and hands very well after a shower.
6. If you have a UV lamp, keep the area under the blue light for 3 minutes per day.
7. Store shoes in the sunlight.
8. For Toenail fungi, change bedding regularly.
9. Keep nails from drying out by using the anti-bacterial Cuticle MD with ten healing oils.
Remember that Fungus can take up to 6 months to completely disappear. Be very wary of cross-contamination when touching areas with an infected nail. Once you see an improvement, continue the use of products. The nail might look healthy but there might still be spores that can grow when left untreated.
Read more about the Cuticle MD here.
Read more about the Fungal Force here.
Read more about the Super Sanitizer here
