Thursday, 23rd February 2012

Nail Fungus

Diabetes, Nail Fungus and Ingrown Toenails

Diabetes, Nail Fungus and Ingrown Toenails are three very common conditions. For the most part, nail fungus and ingrown toenails, while very unpleasant and unsightly are not serious health issues unto themselves. They do add potentially serious complications for anyone with diabetes. Over 23 million Americans have diabetes (almost 8% of the population). Of these, nearly six million don’t know they have diabetes. Let’s give this some attention.

Diabetes is a very serious health condition. It is cited by the Center of Disease Control as the #6 leading cause of death in the United States in 2000. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the body is unable to process sugar effectively. Complications from diabetes include elevated blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, to name a few. For more information about Diabetes, check out the Center for Disease Control. One of the greatest problems associated with Diabetes is that a lot of people do not know they have it.

So… how do nail fungus or ingrown toenails relate to diabetes? As diabetes weakens the immune system, it increases the risk of infections like nail fungus, which in turn increases the potential for ingrown toenails as a result of “do it yourself” care. Both nail fungus and ingrown toenails can have an impact on blood circulation. If you’ve ever had an ingrown toenail and bumped it against furniture – you know how painful that can be. That owes to the increased pressure as blood is being forced through an obstruction, a pinch point.

It’s a vicious cycle really – as diabetes tends to be associated with an inactive lifestyle. The impact of diabetes can significantly diminished if caught early on and followed by a change in diet and basic exercise regimen. When you have ingrown toenails it can be uncomfortable to walk, even painful – prompting you to walk and exercise even less.

Causes of Nail Fungus

Nail fungus is an infection caused by a type of fungi known as dermatophyte that affects both fingernails and toenails. The nail plate can have a thickened, yellow, or cloudy appearance. The nails can become rough and crumbly, or can separate from the nail bed. There is usually no pain or other bodily symptoms, unless the disease is severe.

Apart from fungi, yeasts and molds can also cause nail fungus. These microorganisms are commonly found in wet and moist environments such as swimming pools, locker rooms, public baths, and others. They can invade your skin through tiny invisible cuts or through a small separation between your nail and nail bed. They cause problems only if your nails are continually exposed to warmth and moisture — conditions perfect for the growth and spread of fungi.

Because fungi like to dwell in dark, moist environments, the insides of your shoes can breed the bacteria, making your toenails more susceptible to fungal infection. Also, using nail polish and fake acrylic nails can put you at more risk for fungal infection because they can trap in moisture if not properly maintained.

Symptoms of Nail Fungus


  • Nails turning yellow or white.
  • Nails becoming thicker and brittle.
  • Growth under the nail that may force the nail to curve upwards (like an upside-down “U”).
  • Nail may crumble or separate from the nail bed.

Preventing Nail Fungus


  • Avoid wearing tight shoes.
  • Wear dry socks (preferably cotton) and regularly change them.
  • Keep your feet clean and dry.
  • Treat athlete’s foot whenever you see it.
  • Avoid synthetic shoe materials if you have sweaty feet (wear leather or canvas).
  • Trim your nails straight across.
  • Avoid cutting or digging into the corners of your toenails.

Nail Fungus Remedies:

Getting rid of Nail Fungus is not always easy because the fungus is embedded underneath the nail. Concurrently, most oral medications have potentially serious side effects for the liver and are generally not recommended for anyone with liver disease. Concurrently, when doctors prescribe these oral medications for nail fungus, they also advocate a liver test before starting treatment and during treatment. As a result, you end up paying for the medicine itself and the testing to go with it to make sure it is not producing negative side effects for your liver. While pharmaceutical remedies for nail fungus have become more effective in recent years, they carry risks to your liver and offer no guarantee that they will work.

Risks and Side Effects:

One of the more popular pharmaceutical treatments recommended by doctors includes the following possible side effects – Diarrhea, stomach upset, or temporary change or loss of taste may occur. Rarely, other “very serious” side effects may include fever, chills, persistent sore throat, vision changes have been reported. Very rarely it has caused very serious (possibly fatal) liver disease – along with the warning to seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as rash, itching or swelling (especially of the face, tongue or throat), severe dizziness or trouble breathing.

Obviously, if you are concerned about your toenails, you might have some second thoughts about the possibilities of experiencing these kinds of side effects. You should have options, you should be informed of all of your options. Surgery is an option, but most people regard that as a last resort owing to costs and general fear of pain and inconvenience that may follow toenail removal.

Nail Fungus No More:

The option provided by Forces of Nature is “Nail Fungus No More”. It is a certified 100% organic, topical treatment making use of natural oils and extracts known to effectively combat nail fungus. Ingredients? organic clove, geranium, tea tree, sesame. Possible side effects or warnings? Discontinue use if severe redness or irritation develops. We do recommend anyone who is pregnant or nursing to check with their doctor before use.

The critical difference is that Forces of Nature backs up the effectiveness of “Nail Fungus No More” with a full one-year money-back guarantee. No questions asked. Return the bottle and Forces of Nature will promptly refund your money, minus only the costs of shipping. Minimal risk to your health, no risk to your pocket book. Forces of Nature has been in business for ten years, has a very high customer satisfaction rate, very strong repeat customer base, and has been the leader of natural and organic medicine on the Internet since its inception.