Overcoming Onychomycosis™ By Scott Davis If you want a natural and proven solution for onychomycosis, you should not look beyond Overcoming Onychomycosis. It is easy to follow and safe as well. You will not have to take drugs and chemicals. Yes, you will have to choose healthy foods to treat your nail fungus. You can notice the difference within a few days. Gradually, your nails will look and feel different. Also, you will not experience the same condition again!
How does diabetes impact onychomycosis risk?
Diabetes significantly hastens the risk of acquiring onychomycosis (fungal infection of the nails) due to certain factors associated with diabetes. The following is the way diabetes can enhance the susceptibility of onychomycosis:
1. Immune-Compromised State
Poor Immune Response:
Diabetes, especially if poorly controlled, can suppress the immune system so that it is harder for the body to fight off infections, including fungal infections. High blood glucose will disrupt white blood cell function (which is critically important for immune protection) and permit the fungi to gain a hold and infect the body more readily.
Chronic Inflammation
Diabetic patients have chronic inflammation, which ultimately contributes to skin and nail changes that make the nails more prone to fungal infection.
2. Poor Circulation
Decreased Blood Flow:
Diabetes is likely to lead to peripheral vascular disease, which reduces blood supply, especially to the extremities (hands and feet). Poor circulation reduces the body’s ability to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the nails and skin, slowing the healing process and predisposing to infection such as onychomycosis.
Delayed Healing
With compromised circulation, wounds and infections heal more slowly. Even a minor cut or trauma to the nail bed, which would normally heal on its own, may allow fungi penetration and infection.
3. Neuropathy (Damage to Nerves)
Loss of Sensation
Diabetes may lead to diabetic neuropathy, leading to nerve damage, particularly affecting the hands and feet. The numbness induced by neuropathy in the extremities makes individuals miss onychomycosis symptoms when they are starting to develop, such as a color or thickening of the nails. This ignorance of the infection during its onset leads to the infection progressing before any action is taken against it.
Heightened Risk of Trauma:
Loss of sensation in foot can also result in unnoticed trauma to the nails or the areas surrounding them, leading to vulnerability to fungal infection.
4. Excess Skin Moisture and Perspiration
Over-Sweating (Hyperhidrosis):
The majority of diabetic patients suffer from hyperhidrosis of the feet, creating a warm and moist area in which fungi thrive. Heat and moisture between the toes or beneath toenails are a perfect breeding ground for fungi, further adding to the susceptibility for onychomycosis.
Skin Breakdown:
Diabetic skin can be more prone to dryness and cracking, especially on the feet, creating portals of entry for fungal infection. Diabetic foot ulcer and other skin conditions also provide avenues for the entry of fungi that infect nails.
5. High Blood Sugar and Fungus Growth
Ideal Setting for Fungi
Elevated blood sugar provides an abundance of glucose, which numerous fungi use as their source of nutrition. As blood glucose is maintained high, the body environment is now favorable to sustaining fungi to proliferate, so onychomycosis and other fungal infections are more likely to ensue.
Yeast Overgrowth:
Patients suffering from diabetes are also more prone to yeast infections such as Candida, which may grow in nails as well among individuals with compromised immune systems or frequent fungal infection history.
6. Poor Foot Hygiene and Nail Care
Difficulty in Managing Foot Care:
Due to mobility, vision, or the effect of neuropathy, people with diabetes may have difficulty maintaining good nail and foot hygiene. Lack of attention to nail and foot health makes infection likely, such as onychomycosis.
7. Increased Risk in Elderly
Interaction between Age and Diabetes
Old people who have diabetes are at a higher risk for onychomycosis due to the synergistic action of aging and diabetes. Older people can grow nails at a slower rate, which makes their nails susceptible to infection, and can even find it difficult to do basic nail care, which increases the likelihood of fungal growth.
8. Co-existing Conditions
Other Complications:
Diabetic patients are generally at risk for other ailments such as obesity, peripheral circulatory diseases, and psoriasis, all of which may in turn raise the risk of getting onychomycosis. The co-existence of greater than one risk factor makes it more challenging to prevent and treat fungal infection among diabetic patients.
Prevention of Onychomycosis in Diabetes
Maintain Blood Sugar
Keeping blood glucose levels within limits set by your doctor is among the most effective ways of reducing the risk of onychomycosis and other infections. Proper diabetes control can also strengthen the immune system and reduce environmental conditions favorable for fungal growth.
Good Foot Care
Regular inspection of the feet and nails is important, especially in patients with poor circulation or neuropathy. Early detection of any change in the appearance of the nail will avert the infection from progressing.
Keeping the feet clean and dry, cutting nails properly, and using comfortable shoes will avert fungal infection.
Moisture Control
Maintenance of dry feet by application of antifungal powders or sprays, regular change of socks, and the use of well-ventilated shoes can reduce the risk of fungal infections.
Protective Footwear:
Shoe wear that provides adequate ventilation and does not compress the toes can reduce the risk of trauma and infection.
Early Treatment of Nail Changes
If there are any alterations in the nail (such as discoloration, thickening, or deformity) then seeking medical advice at the earliest can prevent the infection from becoming severe.
Regular Check-ups:
Occasional visits to a physician, such as a podiatrist, may preserve foot health, monitor signs of infection, and prevent diabetes and onychomycosis complications.
Diabetes predisposes to onychomycosis due to a mixture of factors including impaired immune status, reduced circulation, increased moisture, and neuropathy. Fungal infection should be prevented through the regulation of blood sugar, meticulous foot care, and measures to reduce moisture and trauma to the nails. Diabetic patients need to take special care about foot and nail hygiene to prevent onychomycosis and other infections.
Would you like more information on treating onychomycosis or maybe some prevention tips for diabetics?
Tight or non-breathable shoes can go a long way in contributing to and aggravating onychomycosis (nail fungus infection). This is how such shoes allow fungal infections:
1. Warm, Moist Environment
Sweat Accumulation: Tightly fitted or non-breathable shoes, especially synthetic materials like rubber or plastic, fail to permit normal air circulation around the feet. This results in sweat and moisture accumulation, a perfect setting for fungal growth. Fungi thrive in warm and damp conditions, and it is easier for infections like onychomycosis to take place.
Increased Humidity: When the toes are trapped in shoes that do not allow free air passage, the surrounding humidity gets increased, and it becomes more vulnerable for the fungi to invade the nail bed. The moisture will make the nails and skin soft, and this can weaken the protective barrier of the nail further, allowing the fungal pathogens to invade easily.
2. Impeded Blood Flow and Pressure
Poor Circulation: Tight shoes will impede regular blood flow to the feet, which will reduce the immune system’s capacity to combat infection. When there is poor blood circulation, the body has difficulty delivering white blood cells and other immune responses to employ against fungal pathogens.
Greater Pressure: Shoes which are tight in nature also impose constant pressure over the nails and toes, resulting in microtrauma or destruction of the skin or the nail. Affected skin or nails provide an opening for the onset of fungal infection.
3. Damage to Nails
Nail Damage and Deformation: Compression of the toenails can result in nail deformation, including ingrown nails, thickening, or splitting. The damage to the nail structure will lead to holes that can provide an entry point for fungi to infect. It will compromise the nail’s integrity once deformation has occurred, making it susceptible to pathogens.
Trauma and Friction: Rubbing of the toes or nails due to ill-fitting (e.g., too small or too large) can cause abrasions or cuts on the nail or surrounding skin. These lesions allow entry for the fungi and enable them to establish infection.
4. Poor Ventilation
Insufficient Airflow: Non-porous shoes, like closed shoes made of synthetic materials, restrict evaporation of water from sweat and minimize airflow. This enclosed space keeps heat and water, which promotes the growth of fungus such as dermatophytes, mold, and yeasts, all of which can cause onychomycosis.
Shoe Material Does Matter: Leather footwear, for example, is more airy than synthetics, but tightly wrapped leather shoes can hold moisture if they do not fit properly. Mesh or canvas materials tend to be better at letting air circulate and moisture evaporate.
5. Fungal Contamination
Shared Spaces and Fungal Exposure: Non-breathable or tight footwear is perhaps more frequently used in shared spaces like public showers, pools, or gym locker rooms. These are places where the risk of exposure to fungal spores is higher since they can easily spread in warm, moist environments. Using non-breathable footwear in these areas can provide the fungi with a suitable environment to grow on the feet, ultimately causing onychomycosis if the conditions are right.
6. Bacteria and Fungus Buildup
Development of Bacteria and Fungi: Over time, water and warmth from close or non-breathable shoes have the ability to facilitate bacteria and fungi growth inside the shoes. Ongoing use of the same shoes without drying or cleansing them can increase the risk of getting fungal infections like onychomycosis.
Smell and Infection: The offensive smell usually related to feet in close, non-breathable footwear is a sign of bacterial and fungal growth. This can result in more severe fungal infection of the nails.
Preventing Onychomycosis Due to Footwear
Proper Fit: Ensure that shoes are not tight and provide sufficient space for the toes to spread freely. Shoes must fit properly so that there is no pressure on the nails and toes.
Breathable Materials: Opt for breathable shoes made of natural materials like leather or mesh, or shoes with holes for ventilation. These shoes will allow better air circulation and evaporation of moisture.
Moisture-Wicking Socks: Moisture-wicking socks made from natural fibers like cotton or wool (or artificial fibers which are designed for moisture control) may be employed to keep the feet dry and avoid fungal infection.
Switching Footwear Every Now and Then: Avoid using the same shoes every day, especially in places that increase sweating or development of fungus. Alternating footwear lets shoes dry and reduces moisture and bacterial accumulation within.
Proper Hygiene: Wash and dry feet properly, especially after the use of tight, non-porous shoes. Dry between toes to prevent the accumulation of moisture, which consequently will encourage fungus growth.
By enhancing footwear selection and following good foot hygiene, the likelihood of onychomycosis can be significantly reduced. Do you have any other questions about footwear or treating fungal infections?
Overcoming Onychomycosis™ By Scott Davis If you want a natural and proven solution for onychomycosis, you should not look beyond Overcoming Onychomycosis. It is easy to follow and safe as well. You will not have to take drugs and chemicals. Yes, you will have to choose healthy foods to treat your nail fungus. You can notice the difference within a few days. Gradually, your nails will look and feel different. Also, you will not experience the same condition again!