The Complex Case of Nail Fungus

It may be unhygienic but it is still equally dangerous and therefore require attention. In many occasions nail fungal problems are difficult to discuss due to their undesirable nature. Or perhaps it is for this reason that a lot of the information about this common problem are incorrect and inaccurate. And in Singapore, a number of such misconceptions circulate in public.

For instance, covering nail with nail polish to presumably protect it from infection, cutting the nails short to make it easier to clean are very common popular misconceptions about the problem. While these activities do improve a person’s hygiene and over-all appearance, they help very little in treating or preventing nail fungus.

Nail Fungus and Wrong Causes

The nature of nail fungus is also heavily misunderstood.  For instance, there are beliefs that the problem is associated with heat and are therefore prevalent during summer which if far from the truth. Although nail fungus is affected by warm, sweaty and unclean covering, the atmosphere has very little do with it and the choice of socks, footwear and care are more determining factors.

Likewise, it is not true that hygiene is the singular cause of nail fungus. Athlete’s foot, sweaty feet can cause or worsen nail fungus. In fact, even physical trauma to the nail, which has nothing to do with hygiene, can similarly affect nail fungus.  There are also

Types of nail fungus, the bed nail fungus or onychomycosis which can be contracted in public places like salon, showers, hotels, gyms when the feet simply comes in contact with dirty surfaces especially when a person is bare foot.

Faulty Information on Treatments

And then too there are the completely inaccurate popular notions about how to treat nail fungus. Understandably, if people have false beliefs about the nature and cause of nail fungus, they are almost sure to have false information about itstreatment.

For instance, there seems to be a general assumption that nail fungus is a passing problem and therefor naturally goes away. Unfortunately though, nail fungus is an infection and therefore it is very unlikely to clear without any intervention. In fact, nail fungus treatment inSingapore involves a very intensive process.  Since nail fungus often manifest itself along with related skin infections such as athlete’s foot which is the dry, peeling of the skin at the bottom of the feet, nail and skin treatment must be done simultaneously to prevent one from affecting the other.

Furthermore, although there are over-the-counter drugs that can work well specifically for nail-bed fungus or for other type nail fungus infection during its early stages of infection, more extensive care is often required. For cases infection that has been there for some time, which means the infections have spread beyond the nail bed and into surrounding areas, there is a need to see a Singapore nail fungus doctor, a podiatrist or a medical professional. For these cases, intake of higher or stronger dosage of topical or oral medications over extended periods may work. But since these medications often come with contraindications, they may have side effects and may not be safe for everyone. For some people, especially those experiencing more serious cases of nail fungus infection, laser surgery  may be a legitimate alternative.