Five Important things to Know about Cataracts if you are Over 60

 

Many patients are surprised to hear that over half of all seniors will have cataracts by the time they hit the age of 80. According to professionals who specialize in cataract surgery in Salt Lake City, cataracts can start to show up as early as age 60. Cataracts are an exceptionally common condition in which there is a “clouding” of the lens that will eventually affect one’s vision. Due to just how prevalent this eye disease is, here is a look at five important things that every senior should know about cataracts, how they can be delayed, and what can be done to treat them.

 

 

Your Demographic Is At the Highest Risk

One of the first and most important things that seniors should remember is that their demographic is at the highest risk of developing cataracts. Most specialists say that it is not so much a question of if a senior will develop cataracts, but when will they develop cataracts, and how far the condition will progress. Other demographics at a higher risk include women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and those with a family history of cataracts.

 

 

There Are Different Types of Cataracts

Most seniors will develop age-related cataracts or “secondary” cataracts, but there are actually five different types of this condition. Age cataracts are simply a weakening of the eyes and exposure to the elements while secondary cataracts are the result of other medical problems like diabetes. There is also congenital cataracts that occur at or before birth, radiation cataracts after extended exposure to radiation, and traumatic cataracts that can occur when there is damage to the eye or the soft tissue around the eye.

 

 

The Symptoms May Be So Subtle That You Do Not Notice Them

Another extremely important fact to remember is that the side effects of cataracts, especially in the earliest stages, may be completely undetectable to the patient. One’s vision may only diminish ever so slightly, and this means that many will not know that they have cataracts for years on end. Primarily, seniors should pay attention to situations in which they feel as if there vision or eye comfort has been recently affected. This may include difficulty seeing at night, blurring around bright lights, streaks coming off of lights, eye glasses that are no longer working well, and any discomfort from contacts or around the eye in general.

 

 

Early Detection is Imperative

In some instances, cataracts do not need to be removed right away and a doctor may only suggest that the other steps are taken to prevent the cataracts from worsening. That being said, catching them in the early stages will make treatment much easier. When cataracts are not affecting a senior’s ability to see, they may be able to reduce the side effects and slow the condition with nothing more than changing their medication, or using prescription eye drops.

 

 

You Can Still Delay Cataracts

It is never too late to think that cataracts have progressed to the point that they are untreatable or the only solution is surgery. When caught early on, seniors can often go for years by only making minor changes to their lifestyle. This begins by protecting your eyes from the sun with sunglasses and hats. Smoking and drinking should also be avoided, and an overall healthy diet filled with leafy greens can also slow cataracts or prevent them altogether.

 

 

Speaking with a vision specialist and regularly having one’s eyesight checked is the absolute best method of delaying and treating this condition. The longer that cataracts are allowed to develop, the more severe your vision loss will become, and the higher their risk will be for going completely blind. This is especially important information to remember for the millions of seniors that develop this condition each and every year.

 

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Categories: cataracts, condition, develop, develop cataracts, highest risk, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, secondary cataracts, seniors

Five Important things to Know about Cataracts if you are Over 60

 

Many patients are surprised to hear that over half of all seniors will have cataracts by the time they hit the age of 80. According to professionals who specialize in cataract surgery in Salt Lake City, cataracts can start to show up as early as age 60. Cataracts are an exceptionally common condition in which there is a “clouding” of the lens that will eventually affect one’s vision. Due to just how prevalent this eye disease is, here is a look at five important things that every senior should know about cataracts, how they can be delayed, and what can be done to treat them.

 

 

Your Demographic Is At the Highest Risk

One of the first and most important things that seniors should remember is that their demographic is at the highest risk of developing cataracts. Most specialists say that it is not so much a question of if a senior will develop cataracts, but when will they develop cataracts, and how far the condition will progress. Other demographics at a higher risk include women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and those with a family history of cataracts.

 

 

There Are Different Types of Cataracts

Most seniors will develop age-related cataracts or “secondary” cataracts, but there are actually five different types of this condition. Age cataracts are simply a weakening of the eyes and exposure to the elements while secondary cataracts are the result of other medical problems like diabetes. There is also congenital cataracts that occur at or before birth, radiation cataracts after extended exposure to radiation, and traumatic cataracts that can occur when there is damage to the eye or the soft tissue around the eye.

 

 

The Symptoms May Be So Subtle That You Do Not Notice Them

Another extremely important fact to remember is that the side effects of cataracts, especially in the earliest stages, may be completely undetectable to the patient. One’s vision may only diminish ever so slightly, and this means that many will not know that they have cataracts for years on end. Primarily, seniors should pay attention to situations in which they feel as if there vision or eye comfort has been recently affected. This may include difficulty seeing at night, blurring around bright lights, streaks coming off of lights, eye glasses that are no longer working well, and any discomfort from contacts or around the eye in general.

 

 

Early Detection is Imperative

In some instances, cataracts do not need to be removed right away and a doctor may only suggest that the other steps are taken to prevent the cataracts from worsening. That being said, catching them in the early stages will make treatment much easier. When cataracts are not affecting a senior’s ability to see, they may be able to reduce the side effects and slow the condition with nothing more than changing their medication, or using prescription eye drops.

 

 

You Can Still Delay Cataracts

It is never too late to think that cataracts have progressed to the point that they are untreatable or the only solution is surgery. When caught early on, seniors can often go for years by only making minor changes to their lifestyle. This begins by protecting your eyes from the sun with sunglasses and hats. Smoking and drinking should also be avoided, and an overall healthy diet filled with leafy greens can also slow cataracts or prevent them altogether.

 

 

Speaking with a vision specialist and regularly having one’s eyesight checked is the absolute best method of delaying and treating this condition. The longer that cataracts are allowed to develop, the more severe your vision loss will become, and the higher their risk will be for going completely blind. This is especially important information to remember for the millions of seniors that develop this condition each and every year.

 

The post Five Important things to Know about Cataracts if you are Over 60 appeared first on .

Categories: cataracts, condition, develop, develop cataracts, highest risk, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, secondary cataracts, seniors

Five Important things to Know about Cataracts if you are Over 60

 

Many patients are surprised to hear that over half of all seniors will have cataracts by the time they hit the age of 80. According to professionals who specialize in cataract surgery in Salt Lake City, cataracts can start to show up as early as age 60. Cataracts are an exceptionally common condition in which there is a “clouding” of the lens that will eventually affect one’s vision. Due to just how prevalent this eye disease is, here is a look at five important things that every senior should know about cataracts, how they can be delayed, and what can be done to treat them.

 

 

Your Demographic Is At the Highest Risk

One of the first and most important things that seniors should remember is that their demographic is at the highest risk of developing cataracts. Most specialists say that it is not so much a question of if a senior will develop cataracts, but when will they develop cataracts, and how far the condition will progress. Other demographics at a higher risk include women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and those with a family history of cataracts.

 

 

There Are Different Types of Cataracts

Most seniors will develop age-related cataracts or “secondary” cataracts, but there are actually five different types of this condition. Age cataracts are simply a weakening of the eyes and exposure to the elements while secondary cataracts are the result of other medical problems like diabetes. There is also congenital cataracts that occur at or before birth, radiation cataracts after extended exposure to radiation, and traumatic cataracts that can occur when there is damage to the eye or the soft tissue around the eye.

 

 

The Symptoms May Be So Subtle That You Do Not Notice Them

Another extremely important fact to remember is that the side effects of cataracts, especially in the earliest stages, may be completely undetectable to the patient. One’s vision may only diminish ever so slightly, and this means that many will not know that they have cataracts for years on end. Primarily, seniors should pay attention to situations in which they feel as if there vision or eye comfort has been recently affected. This may include difficulty seeing at night, blurring around bright lights, streaks coming off of lights, eye glasses that are no longer working well, and any discomfort from contacts or around the eye in general.

 

 

Early Detection is Imperative

In some instances, cataracts do not need to be removed right away and a doctor may only suggest that the other steps are taken to prevent the cataracts from worsening. That being said, catching them in the early stages will make treatment much easier. When cataracts are not affecting a senior’s ability to see, they may be able to reduce the side effects and slow the condition with nothing more than changing their medication, or using prescription eye drops.

 

 

You Can Still Delay Cataracts

It is never too late to think that cataracts have progressed to the point that they are untreatable or the only solution is surgery. When caught early on, seniors can often go for years by only making minor changes to their lifestyle. This begins by protecting your eyes from the sun with sunglasses and hats. Smoking and drinking should also be avoided, and an overall healthy diet filled with leafy greens can also slow cataracts or prevent them altogether.

 

 

Speaking with a vision specialist and regularly having one’s eyesight checked is the absolute best method of delaying and treating this condition. The longer that cataracts are allowed to develop, the more severe your vision loss will become, and the higher their risk will be for going completely blind. This is especially important information to remember for the millions of seniors that develop this condition each and every year.

 

The post Five Important things to Know about Cataracts if you are Over 60 appeared first on .

Categories: cataracts, condition, develop, develop cataracts, highest risk, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, secondary cataracts, seniors

Five Important things to Know about Cataracts if you are Over 60

 

Many patients are surprised to hear that over half of all seniors will have cataracts by the time they hit the age of 80. According to professionals who specialize in cataract surgery in Salt Lake City, cataracts can start to show up as early as age 60. Cataracts are an exceptionally common condition in which there is a “clouding” of the lens that will eventually affect one’s vision. Due to just how prevalent this eye disease is, here is a look at five important things that every senior should know about cataracts, how they can be delayed, and what can be done to treat them.

 

 

Your Demographic Is At the Highest Risk

One of the first and most important things that seniors should remember is that their demographic is at the highest risk of developing cataracts. Most specialists say that it is not so much a question of if a senior will develop cataracts, but when will they develop cataracts, and how far the condition will progress. Other demographics at a higher risk include women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and those with a family history of cataracts.

 

 

There Are Different Types of Cataracts

Most seniors will develop age-related cataracts or “secondary” cataracts, but there are actually five different types of this condition. Age cataracts are simply a weakening of the eyes and exposure to the elements while secondary cataracts are the result of other medical problems like diabetes. There is also congenital cataracts that occur at or before birth, radiation cataracts after extended exposure to radiation, and traumatic cataracts that can occur when there is damage to the eye or the soft tissue around the eye.

 

 

The Symptoms May Be So Subtle That You Do Not Notice Them

Another extremely important fact to remember is that the side effects of cataracts, especially in the earliest stages, may be completely undetectable to the patient. One’s vision may only diminish ever so slightly, and this means that many will not know that they have cataracts for years on end. Primarily, seniors should pay attention to situations in which they feel as if there vision or eye comfort has been recently affected. This may include difficulty seeing at night, blurring around bright lights, streaks coming off of lights, eye glasses that are no longer working well, and any discomfort from contacts or around the eye in general.

 

 

Early Detection is Imperative

In some instances, cataracts do not need to be removed right away and a doctor may only suggest that the other steps are taken to prevent the cataracts from worsening. That being said, catching them in the early stages will make treatment much easier. When cataracts are not affecting a senior’s ability to see, they may be able to reduce the side effects and slow the condition with nothing more than changing their medication, or using prescription eye drops.

 

 

You Can Still Delay Cataracts

It is never too late to think that cataracts have progressed to the point that they are untreatable or the only solution is surgery. When caught early on, seniors can often go for years by only making minor changes to their lifestyle. This begins by protecting your eyes from the sun with sunglasses and hats. Smoking and drinking should also be avoided, and an overall healthy diet filled with leafy greens can also slow cataracts or prevent them altogether.

 

 

Speaking with a vision specialist and regularly having one’s eyesight checked is the absolute best method of delaying and treating this condition. The longer that cataracts are allowed to develop, the more severe your vision loss will become, and the higher their risk will be for going completely blind. This is especially important information to remember for the millions of seniors that develop this condition each and every year.

 

The post Five Important things to Know about Cataracts if you are Over 60 appeared first on .

Categories: cataracts, condition, develop, develop cataracts, highest risk, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, secondary cataracts, seniors

Five Important things to Know about Cataracts if you are Over 60

 

Many patients are surprised to hear that over half of all seniors will have cataracts by the time they hit the age of 80. According to professionals who specialize in cataract surgery in Salt Lake City, cataracts can start to show up as early as age 60. Cataracts are an exceptionally common condition in which there is a “clouding” of the lens that will eventually affect one’s vision. Due to just how prevalent this eye disease is, here is a look at five important things that every senior should know about cataracts, how they can be delayed, and what can be done to treat them.

 

 

Your Demographic Is At the Highest Risk

One of the first and most important things that seniors should remember is that their demographic is at the highest risk of developing cataracts. Most specialists say that it is not so much a question of if a senior will develop cataracts, but when will they develop cataracts, and how far the condition will progress. Other demographics at a higher risk include women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and those with a family history of cataracts.

 

 

There Are Different Types of Cataracts

Most seniors will develop age-related cataracts or “secondary” cataracts, but there are actually five different types of this condition. Age cataracts are simply a weakening of the eyes and exposure to the elements while secondary cataracts are the result of other medical problems like diabetes. There is also congenital cataracts that occur at or before birth, radiation cataracts after extended exposure to radiation, and traumatic cataracts that can occur when there is damage to the eye or the soft tissue around the eye.

 

 

The Symptoms May Be So Subtle That You Do Not Notice Them

Another extremely important fact to remember is that the side effects of cataracts, especially in the earliest stages, may be completely undetectable to the patient. One’s vision may only diminish ever so slightly, and this means that many will not know that they have cataracts for years on end. Primarily, seniors should pay attention to situations in which they feel as if there vision or eye comfort has been recently affected. This may include difficulty seeing at night, blurring around bright lights, streaks coming off of lights, eye glasses that are no longer working well, and any discomfort from contacts or around the eye in general.

 

 

Early Detection is Imperative

In some instances, cataracts do not need to be removed right away and a doctor may only suggest that the other steps are taken to prevent the cataracts from worsening. That being said, catching them in the early stages will make treatment much easier. When cataracts are not affecting a senior’s ability to see, they may be able to reduce the side effects and slow the condition with nothing more than changing their medication, or using prescription eye drops.

 

 

You Can Still Delay Cataracts

It is never too late to think that cataracts have progressed to the point that they are untreatable or the only solution is surgery. When caught early on, seniors can often go for years by only making minor changes to their lifestyle. This begins by protecting your eyes from the sun with sunglasses and hats. Smoking and drinking should also be avoided, and an overall healthy diet filled with leafy greens can also slow cataracts or prevent them altogether.

 

 

Speaking with a vision specialist and regularly having one’s eyesight checked is the absolute best method of delaying and treating this condition. The longer that cataracts are allowed to develop, the more severe your vision loss will become, and the higher their risk will be for going completely blind. This is especially important information to remember for the millions of seniors that develop this condition each and every year.

 

The post Five Important things to Know about Cataracts if you are Over 60 appeared first on .

Categories: cataracts, condition, develop, develop cataracts, highest risk, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, secondary cataracts, seniors

Five Important things to Know about Cataracts if you are Over 60

 

Many patients are surprised to hear that over half of all seniors will have cataracts by the time they hit the age of 80. According to professionals who specialize in cataract surgery in Salt Lake City, cataracts can start to show up as early as age 60. Cataracts are an exceptionally common condition in which there is a “clouding” of the lens that will eventually affect one’s vision. Due to just how prevalent this eye disease is, here is a look at five important things that every senior should know about cataracts, how they can be delayed, and what can be done to treat them.

 

 

Your Demographic Is At the Highest Risk

One of the first and most important things that seniors should remember is that their demographic is at the highest risk of developing cataracts. Most specialists say that it is not so much a question of if a senior will develop cataracts, but when will they develop cataracts, and how far the condition will progress. Other demographics at a higher risk include women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and those with a family history of cataracts.

 

 

There Are Different Types of Cataracts

Most seniors will develop age-related cataracts or “secondary” cataracts, but there are actually five different types of this condition. Age cataracts are simply a weakening of the eyes and exposure to the elements while secondary cataracts are the result of other medical problems like diabetes. There is also congenital cataracts that occur at or before birth, radiation cataracts after extended exposure to radiation, and traumatic cataracts that can occur when there is damage to the eye or the soft tissue around the eye.

 

 

The Symptoms May Be So Subtle That You Do Not Notice Them

Another extremely important fact to remember is that the side effects of cataracts, especially in the earliest stages, may be completely undetectable to the patient. One’s vision may only diminish ever so slightly, and this means that many will not know that they have cataracts for years on end. Primarily, seniors should pay attention to situations in which they feel as if there vision or eye comfort has been recently affected. This may include difficulty seeing at night, blurring around bright lights, streaks coming off of lights, eye glasses that are no longer working well, and any discomfort from contacts or around the eye in general.

 

 

Early Detection is Imperative

In some instances, cataracts do not need to be removed right away and a doctor may only suggest that the other steps are taken to prevent the cataracts from worsening. That being said, catching them in the early stages will make treatment much easier. When cataracts are not affecting a senior’s ability to see, they may be able to reduce the side effects and slow the condition with nothing more than changing their medication, or using prescription eye drops.

 

 

You Can Still Delay Cataracts

It is never too late to think that cataracts have progressed to the point that they are untreatable or the only solution is surgery. When caught early on, seniors can often go for years by only making minor changes to their lifestyle. This begins by protecting your eyes from the sun with sunglasses and hats. Smoking and drinking should also be avoided, and an overall healthy diet filled with leafy greens can also slow cataracts or prevent them altogether.

 

 

Speaking with a vision specialist and regularly having one’s eyesight checked is the absolute best method of delaying and treating this condition. The longer that cataracts are allowed to develop, the more severe your vision loss will become, and the higher their risk will be for going completely blind. This is especially important information to remember for the millions of seniors that develop this condition each and every year.

 

Categories: cataracts, condition, develop, develop cataracts, highest risk, important things, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, over 60, secondary cataracts, seniors

The Facts That Everyone Ought to Know About Breast Cancer

Most people think they know all there is to know about breast cancer. It is one of the best publicized health concerns, as it is one that affects the wellness and wellbeing of millions of women around the world. Yet there are actually a large number of misconceptions about breast cancer.

 

One of the biggest myths is that this disease only affects women over the age of 40. This is entirely false, and in fact believing this myth can be dangerous as it causes younger women to become complacent about checking their breasts, as they feel they are not at risk. Breast cancer can actually affect anyone at any age. It is most common in post-menopausal women, but around 20 percent of breast cancer cases occur in women who are under the age of 40. Regular breast examination is, therefore, essential for women of all ages, and women who are older should also attend their regular mammographic screening.

 

If you do find a lump when checking your own breasts, try not to panic. Most of the growths that women find turn out to be non-cancerous, but of course it is vital to go to your doctor and make sure that this is the case for you.

 

Another commonly held myth is that men can’t get breast cancer. This is entirely untrue, as men can develop breast cancer. Around 1,600 men in the US alone will develop breast cancer this year. Although women do develop breast cancer at a much higher rate, men are at increased risk of mortality from the disease as they do not have the same awareness of the disease (and there is a stigma around it for men, too). The symptoms and treatment are the same in men or women, however, so it is important that men are ‘breast aware’ too.

Categories: Breast, breast cancer, cancer, develop, develop breast, Facts, nbsp, Women

Sexual Organs: What Happens Within The Body When They Develop?

The biology of sex is an intricate process that sees the body go through a number of changes and adaptations. There are many reasons why people have sex, from improving intimacy and for pleasure to the chance to conceive. Sex has a number of benefits, such as relieving stress and boosting immunity, burning calories and reducing pain. There are many expectant parents who look forward to the 20 week scan, the scan which tells them the gender of their baby, but what happens to get the baby there? This is more than just ‘the birds and the bees’ – what goes on within the body to create a baby? As an embryo develops, it develops what are known as Wolffian and Mullerian ducts; the Wolffian ducts turn into male sex organs and the Mullerian ducts develop into female sex organs. These organs depend on the presence of a Y chromosome. At week eight, the genitalia begin to develop as well. The external genitals continue to develop after the internal organs have formed, which means in men the testosterone produces a penis and a scrotum, and a lack of testosterone will mean a vagina and labia will form. Such organs develop throughout the pregnancy and will develop further in puberty later in life as well.

From an exterior angle, the male body has two visible sexual organs – the testes and the penis. In terms of primary sexual organs, the testicles are the organs which make sperm and produce testosterone. The testicles are housed outside of the body to keep the temperature cool so as not to damage the sperm. Sperm are often compared to tadpoles in appearance and they use their tails to travel, with the heads containing the genetic material. The penis is made from spongy tissue which expands and contracts, becoming stiff and engorged with blood when the man becomes aroused. This makes it easier for the penis to be inserted into the vagina during sex. Sperm gets mixed with the nutrient-rich fluids from the vesicle in the body to create a fluid known as semen which does three jobs. It provides a watery environment where sperm can swim while they are outside of the body, it provides nutrients such as vitamin C and fructose for the sperm, and it protects the cells by neutralising the acids in the female sexual tract.

 

The two ovaries in the female body are the counterpart to the male testes. They make the eggs and produce oestrogen, the female sex hormone. The oestrogen leads to the sexual characteristics in the female body, such as breast development, pubic hair, depositing fat in the hips and thighs, and widening the pelvis. Eggs develop in the ovaries and are released into the fallopian tube during ovulation – it’s during this time that fertilisation can take place if sperm can find itself within the body during sex. The fertilised egg can then move down to the womb where it develops. It’s made of spongy material that cushions the egg while it grows. The uterus stretches during pregnancy to hold the baby until it has reached full size and is ready to be born. At the base of the uterus is the cervix, which also widens during labour to allow the baby to come out. The vaginal walls can stretch to accommodate intercourse and childbirth, and the final two glands are found here, where they secrete fluids into the labial folds of skin.

Categories: body, develop, female body, female sex, Gender, mullerian ducts, organs, reproduction, sex organs, sexual organs, sperm

Ways to Prevent and Treat a Fungal Nail Infection

Most people will develop a fungal nail infection at some point or another, and they are easily spread. The infection causes a thickened and unappealing nail which can sometimes become quite painful. It is easy to treat them with medication, but you will need to take this for several weeks in order to clear the infection fully. Studies suggest that between three and eight people in 100 have a fungal nail infection at some point in their lives, and these become more common as we age, with more people get them over the age of 55. They’re also common in people who go swimming regularly or work out in the gym, as communal showers or changing rooms are breeding grounds for infections such as these.

 

A fingernail infection may develop after a toenail infection has occurred, as you may scratch your toe and pick up the infection this way. Interestingly, if you wash your hands more regularly or have them in water a lot (such as if you’re a cleaner or a cook) you may be more prone to infections. This is because the protective skin at the base of the nail becomes damaged and this enables fungi to get in and grow. If you have other conditions you’re also more likely to develop these infections – such conditions include diabetes, poor circulation, psoriasis, a poor immune system or general poor health. Smoking also increases the risk, but sometimes there is no reason behind why you have a nail infection – fungus can grow in hot or humid conditions, so you may have picked up the germs from somewhere and unknowingly provided a prime environment for it to develop. You’ll be able to spot a fungal nail infection by the appearance of the nail – it usually becomes thicker and discoloured, usually turning a yellowish-green colour. In most cases this is all that occurs, but if the infection becomes worse it may lead to white or yellow patched on the nail, or it may become itchy and painful. Though it’s often easy to self-diagnose, other nail conditions can have similar symptoms, so you may wish to get it checked by a GP to confirm that you have a fungal infection. They will usually take a clipping of the nail to be sent for testing.

 

Treatment doesn’t always cure the infection, and the rates of curing for this condition average between 60 to 80 percent. It also doesn’t always clear the infection entirely, so you may find that it returns again later on. Your nail’s appearance might not return to normal – it’s common for people to be left with a stained or marked nail. Anti-fungal tablets or creams are used to treat the infection, as well as clearing any associated fungal infections such as athlete’s foot. Anti-fungal nail lacquers are also an option, which are prescribed for specific infections such as those on the end of the nail. In order for it to be effective, it will need to be applied exactly as prescribed – you may need to use it for up to a year on toenail infections for it to clear the infection entirely. In severe cases, the nail may actually have to be removed. Research is being carried out to see if new treatments can be developed to clear fungal nail infections. If there is fresh and healthy nail growing from the base of your nail bed, it’s a sign that the treatment is working. This will continue to grow forward and will eventually grow out the marked or infected nail, so that your nail looks normal again.

 

If you want to prevent a fungal nail infection from developing, you should keep your nails cut short and file down thickened nails. If you do develop an infection, be sure to cut your nail with a separate pair of scissors or clippers than you use on the other nails to stop the spread of infection.

Categories: anti fungal, develop, fungal, fungal nail, infection, Infections, nail, nail infection, nails

Ways to Prevent and Treat a Fungal Nail Infection

Most people will develop a fungal nail infection at some point or another, and they are easily spread. The infection causes a thickened and unappealing nail which can sometimes become quite painful. It is easy to treat them with medication, but you will need to take this for several weeks in order to clear the infection fully. Studies suggest that between three and eight people in 100 have a fungal nail infection at some point in their lives, and these become more common as we age, with more people get them over the age of 55. They’re also common in people who go swimming regularly or work out in the gym, as communal showers or changing rooms are breeding grounds for infections such as these.

 

A fingernail infection may develop after a toenail infection has occurred, as you may scratch your toe and pick up the infection this way. Interestingly, if you wash your hands more regularly or have them in water a lot (such as if you’re a cleaner or a cook) you may be more prone to infections. This is because the protective skin at the base of the nail becomes damaged and this enables fungi to get in and grow. If you have other conditions you’re also more likely to develop these infections – such conditions include diabetes, poor circulation, psoriasis, a poor immune system or general poor health. Smoking also increases the risk, but sometimes there is no reason behind why you have a nail infection – fungus can grow in hot or humid conditions, so you may have picked up the germs from somewhere and unknowingly provided a prime environment for it to develop. You’ll be able to spot a fungal nail infection by the appearance of the nail – it usually becomes thicker and discoloured, usually turning a yellowish-green colour. In most cases this is all that occurs, but if the infection becomes worse it may lead to white or yellow patched on the nail, or it may become itchy and painful. Though it’s often easy to self-diagnose, other nail conditions can have similar symptoms, so you may wish to get it checked by a GP to confirm that you have a fungal infection. They will usually take a clipping of the nail to be sent for testing.

 

Treatment doesn’t always cure the infection, and the rates of curing for this condition average between 60 to 80 percent. It also doesn’t always clear the infection entirely, so you may find that it returns again later on. Your nail’s appearance might not return to normal – it’s common for people to be left with a stained or marked nail. Anti-fungal tablets or creams are used to treat the infection, as well as clearing any associated fungal infections such as athlete’s foot. Anti-fungal nail lacquers are also an option, which are prescribed for specific infections such as those on the end of the nail. In order for it to be effective, it will need to be applied exactly as prescribed – you may need to use it for up to a year on toenail infections for it to clear the infection entirely. In severe cases, the nail may actually have to be removed. Research is being carried out to see if new treatments can be developed to clear fungal nail infections. If there is fresh and healthy nail growing from the base of your nail bed, it’s a sign that the treatment is working. This will continue to grow forward and will eventually grow out the marked or infected nail, so that your nail looks normal again.

 

If you want to prevent a fungal nail infection from developing, you should keep your nails cut short and file down thickened nails. If you do develop an infection, be sure to cut your nail with a separate pair of scissors or clippers than you use on the other nails to stop the spread of infection.

Categories: anti fungal, develop, fungal, fungal nail, infection, Infections, nail, nail infection, nails