Nail fungus also known as onychromycosis is caused by tiny organisms that invade your finger or toes nails. This fungus may begin as little more than a white dot on your nail or a slight reddening in the skin around the tip and sides of your nail. If untreated this fungus will grow, often discoloring the nails, making them thicker and more brittle. The edges of the nail may crumble leaving your nails jagged. More often than not people experiencing nail fungus will have itching and pain at the site of the fungus.

Estimates show that more than 35 million people in the United States alone suffer from nail fungus. Perhaps, this fungus is so prevalent because the underneath part of your nails provides a perfect breeding ground for this fungus which grows best in damp, dark places.

Nail fungus is much more likely to occur on your toe nails than on your finger nails since the wearing of shoes and socks holds in the moisture and prevents your toe nails from being properly penetrated by light.

Treatments for Nail Fungus

The best treatment for nail fungus is to avoid getting one if at possible. While you may not be able to avoid getting one completely you can lower your chances by doing the following.

1. Wear tongs when using a community shower as it is believed that this fungus may be spread in much the same manner as athletes foot.

2. Drying your feet and hands as thoroughly as possible after washing or showering.

3. Air your finger and toe nails as often as possible, especially your toe nails. Get out of those shoes and socks as often and for as long a period as you can. Wear open toed sandals or tongs to allow the nails to air.

4. Don’t use other people’s nail files or emery boards

5. Don’t wear artificial nails or color your nails in dark colored polishes that will prevent light from getting through the nail.

Once you do get a nail fungus it is often treated with everything from home remedies to topical solutions to internal medicine. Many home remedies that have been proven effective are slow in clearing up the fungus. Topical treatments, don’t always reach the source of the fungus, and internal medicine can have some pretty serious side effects. The new laser techniques look promising but it is extremely expensive.