First reported by Dr. T H Oliver in 1920, ozone and oxidative
therapies have been used extensively by doctors to treat a wide
range of health problems, such as vascular disease, cancer, viral
diseases, ulcers, inflammatory bowel diseases and spinal disc
problems. Additionally, these treatments are effective therapies
for contaminated wounds, burns and infections. The use of oxygen
to heal is based on the idea that it breaks down and eliminates
toxins from the body by "burning" them through the process of
oxidation.
In the process of ozone and oxidative therapies white blood cell
production is also encouraged, there is an increased delivery of
oxygen to the cells, red blood cell flexibility is expanded and
metabolism is also stimulated. Because of its ability to kill
bacteria and fungus, many cities purify their drinking water with
ozone.
Ozone therapy can be received in one of several ways, including
injection, inseffulation, ozone "bagging," external use of
ozonated olive oil, and autohemotherapy. Inseffulation is the
process which consists of inserting a tiny tube into the infected
area and up to half a liter of pure ozone in a humidified gas is
introduces in less than thirty seconds. In order to fight nail
fungus, the best delivery of ozone to the body is by bagging or
the application of ozonated olive oil. Bagging is done by placing
the infected fingers in a plastic bag and filling that bag with
ozone. Ozonated olive oil, available in many natural health
stores, is made by bubbling ozone through olive oil for several
days until it solidifies. An effective way to reduce both the
symptoms and prevalence of the infection is to apply ozonated
olive oil to the affected nail several times daily until the
fungus has died and the healthy nail has regrown.
Oxidation therapy is commonly administered via hydrogen peroxide.
Because the body's cells produce hydrogen peroxide as a first
line of defense when confronted with bacteria, parasites and
yeast, it is known as an effective and natural immune system
booster. To treat nail fungus with oxidation therapy, a finger
soak is the best application. It is wisest to use food grade
hydrogen peroxide (35%) as the over the counter solution (3%)
contains other chemicals and impurities that may adversely affect
sensitive skin. Mix 2 ounces of the food grade type with warm
water and soak the nails infected with the fungus for 30 minutes.
If using the over the counter version, you will need nearly
twelve times the hydrogen peroxide to make an equally effective
solution. Repeat this treatment three to four times per week
until the infection has cleared.
Hydrogen peroxide is an extremely safe and effective treatment
for nail fungus when used with care. Because the pure form of the
solution is highly toxic and dangerous, it is absolutely
necessary to take care when using this home treatment by always
diluting it correctly. When administered in proper amounts this
form of treatment has shown great promise in the healing of many
ailments, including nail fungus.
When treating your nail fungus with ozone or oxidative therapy,
the success of the treatment depends entirely on your willingness
to continually treat the nail as directed and to continue your
chosen course of therapy for a considerable amount of time. The
treatment of nail fungus is so lengthy due to the fact even after
the fungus has died and the nail begins to clear, the treatment
must continue until the infected portion of the nail has
completely grown out. Unfortunately, because the cure for nail
fungus can take six months or longer, many people choose to live
with it rather than take measures to combat it.
Once the fungus has been effectively killed and the nail is
completely healthy, it is vital to take steps to ensure that the
fungus does not return. Keeping nails clean and trim is important
to ensure that the fungus cannot make a home under the nail.
Never pick at hangnails or other skin around the nails; germs can
more easily find a way into your nails if you do. When your hands
are to be exposed to water for prolonged periods of time, use
rubber gloves and make sure to give the gloves ample time to dry
inside out after use.
If you typically have your nails done at a salon, be sure that it
is a reputable one that understands the importance of sterilizing
all manicure equipment. It also may be necessary to discontinue
using nail polish or artificial nails as they can trap moisture
under the polish and encourage the growth of fungus. It is also
imperative to keep the hands clean, especially after contacting
fungus that may reside on other fingernails or toenails because
of the contagious nature of the fungus. Additionally, maintaining
a healthy immune system is a key to fighting any fungal
infections to which you may be exposed.
Dr. Jonathan N. Group, B.S., R.D., D.C. is a Doctor of
Chiropractic, Registered Dietitian and Independent Research
Scientist. He has over 15 years of educational and research
experience in health care focusing in clinical nutrition,
alternative medicine, chiropractic, fitness, health and wellness.
Dr. Group is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Fungus
Research, L.L.C. and heads the research and development team
dedicated to producing advanced, new anti-fungal and anti-
microbial products. http://www.nail-fungus-toenail.com
Showing posts with label ingrown toenail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ingrown toenail. Show all posts
Tuesday
Ingrown Toe Nail - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
The ingrown nail can also apply pressure in the nail fold area without penetrating the skin - this is not technically an ingrown toe nail, but can also be painful (a corn/callus is also common down the side of the nail and is a reaction to this pressure, rather than the nail actually penetrating the skin).
Ingrown nails (unguis incarnatus), are a common form of nail disease. Onychocryptosis also known as Ingrown nails. Ingrown nails may develop for many reasons. Some cases are congenital--the nail is just too large for the toe. Trauma, such as stubbing the toe or having the toe stepped on, may also cause an ingrown nail. However, the most common cause is tight shoe wear or improper grooming and trimming of the nail. Poor maintenance, like cutting the nail too short, rounded off at the tip or peeled off at the edges (versus being cut straight across), is likely to cause ingrowth. Some In growing toe nails are acute which means that they have occurred due to a injury to the toe. Others are chronic, which means the patient has had the problem for a long period of time. The large toe is usually affected, however, it can also affect the lesser toes.
Symptoms of an ingrown nail include pain along the margins of the nail (caused by hypergranulation that occurs around the aforementioned region). Some ingrown toenails are chronic, with repeated episodes of pain and infection. Irritation, redness, an uncomfortable sensation of warmth, as well as swelling can result from an ingrown toenail. Bumping of an affected toe with objects can produce sharp, even excruciating, pain as the tissue is punctured further by the ingrown nail. By the very nature of the condition, ingrown nails become easily infected unless special care is taken to treat the condition early on and keep the area as clean as possible. Signs of infection include redness and swelling of the area around the nail, drainage of pus and watery discharge tinged with blood. The main symptom is swelling at the base of the nail on whichever side (if not both sides) the ingrowing nail is forming. The infection can spread, making the toe red and inflamed (paronychia). A collection of pus may also develop.
Ingrown toenails should be treated as soon as they are recognized. Treatment of ingrown nails ranges from soaking the afflicted area to surgery. Sometimes antibiotics are used to help the infection clear after the nail has been removed. Peroxide is immediately effective to help clean minor infections but iodine is more effective in the long term as it continues to prevent bacterial growth even after it is dry. The problem is congenital, the best way to prevent ingrown toenails is to protect the feet from trauma and wear shoes with adequate room for the toes. Soak the foot in warm water 3-4 times daily. Bandages can help keep out bacteria but one should never apply any of the new types of spray-on bandages to ingrown nails that show any discharge - preventing drainage will likely cause intense swelling and pain. Cutting toe nails properly goes a long way toward the prevention of ingrown toenails. Using a safety nail clipper, cut the nails straight across, so that the nail corner is visible. Trim nails straight across. Don't pick at your nails or tear them at the corners. If the nail is not deeply ingrown, the edge of the nail can be lifted from the skin edge that it is irritating. A small piece of clean cotton can then be used to prop the nail's corner up and over the skin edge until the skin heals.
Juliet Cohen writes articles for acne treatment and eye stye. She also writes articles on beauty tips.
Ingrown nails (unguis incarnatus), are a common form of nail disease. Onychocryptosis also known as Ingrown nails. Ingrown nails may develop for many reasons. Some cases are congenital--the nail is just too large for the toe. Trauma, such as stubbing the toe or having the toe stepped on, may also cause an ingrown nail. However, the most common cause is tight shoe wear or improper grooming and trimming of the nail. Poor maintenance, like cutting the nail too short, rounded off at the tip or peeled off at the edges (versus being cut straight across), is likely to cause ingrowth. Some In growing toe nails are acute which means that they have occurred due to a injury to the toe. Others are chronic, which means the patient has had the problem for a long period of time. The large toe is usually affected, however, it can also affect the lesser toes.
Symptoms of an ingrown nail include pain along the margins of the nail (caused by hypergranulation that occurs around the aforementioned region). Some ingrown toenails are chronic, with repeated episodes of pain and infection. Irritation, redness, an uncomfortable sensation of warmth, as well as swelling can result from an ingrown toenail. Bumping of an affected toe with objects can produce sharp, even excruciating, pain as the tissue is punctured further by the ingrown nail. By the very nature of the condition, ingrown nails become easily infected unless special care is taken to treat the condition early on and keep the area as clean as possible. Signs of infection include redness and swelling of the area around the nail, drainage of pus and watery discharge tinged with blood. The main symptom is swelling at the base of the nail on whichever side (if not both sides) the ingrowing nail is forming. The infection can spread, making the toe red and inflamed (paronychia). A collection of pus may also develop.
Ingrown toenails should be treated as soon as they are recognized. Treatment of ingrown nails ranges from soaking the afflicted area to surgery. Sometimes antibiotics are used to help the infection clear after the nail has been removed. Peroxide is immediately effective to help clean minor infections but iodine is more effective in the long term as it continues to prevent bacterial growth even after it is dry. The problem is congenital, the best way to prevent ingrown toenails is to protect the feet from trauma and wear shoes with adequate room for the toes. Soak the foot in warm water 3-4 times daily. Bandages can help keep out bacteria but one should never apply any of the new types of spray-on bandages to ingrown nails that show any discharge - preventing drainage will likely cause intense swelling and pain. Cutting toe nails properly goes a long way toward the prevention of ingrown toenails. Using a safety nail clipper, cut the nails straight across, so that the nail corner is visible. Trim nails straight across. Don't pick at your nails or tear them at the corners. If the nail is not deeply ingrown, the edge of the nail can be lifted from the skin edge that it is irritating. A small piece of clean cotton can then be used to prop the nail's corner up and over the skin edge until the skin heals.
Juliet Cohen writes articles for acne treatment and eye stye. She also writes articles on beauty tips.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)