Love Your Feet Right So They Will Love You Back
Posted by Captain Tom on 24th October 2009
If you have visited the doctor lately because your feet look like they belong to a nasty creature that just stepped out of a horror movie, then perhaps you have been told that you need toenail fungus laser treatment. While this method can cost over a thousand dollars, it is about eighty percent effective, however the return of your problem will not reoccur. So, before you hand over all your hard-earned cash for the professional treatment of toenail fungus, which you will not be sure it has cured the problem for almost a year, consider trying some of these other remedies and prevention techniques first. You have nothing to lose except a little time while you educate yourself.
The medical terminology for this common yet stubborn condition of the foot is called onychomycosis and it describes different type of infections. The population it affects the most are men , women and senior citizens. Once considered to be very rare, this condition is now prevalent due to our modern lifestyle which includes sharing showers in gyms and college dorms, using hot tubs and public pool areas, ill-fitting and restricting shoes, popularity of sporting activities, an increase in incidence of diabetes and the increasing longevity of people in general. Other factors that increase the risk of an individual are poor circulation, sweaty feet, poor hygiene and a depressed immune system. The reason why an athlete is more susceptible to onychomycosis and other foot infections is because of excessive moisture in the shoe along with repeated foot injuries.
The most effective and aggressive method of getting rid of onychomycosis is with prescription, oral medications that need to be taken every day for three months. In addition, they are also very expensive, especially since insurance companies do not cover the cost since it is considered an aesthetic problem. Also, side effects can range from mild to severe and they include interactions with other drugs, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, rash, headache, interference with taste, dizziness and interference with liver function, which requires regular blood testing to monitor the effects.
Although there are plenty of other options, they just are not as helpful compared to what a doctor can prescribe for you. Some home remedies and over-the-counter products that are applied topically include vapor rub, tea tree oil, beach, non-colored iodine, grape seed extract, cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. In general these remedies are considered to be quite safe and should be applied daily although, certain individuals may experience irritation to the skin of their feet. It is important to point out that certain individuals have experience greater success by combining therapies.
Before you are faced with battling this difficult and embarrassing condition, it is best to adopt the following suggestions so you can avoid these problems altogether or avoid becoming re-infected. Use powders and sprays in your shoes to help absorb moisture and kill bacteria, bleach the shower, tub and bath mat regularly, keep shoes in an open and well ventilated area so they may dry out every day and do not share clippers with anyone else.
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