Artificial Nails and Avoiding Nail Fungus

Artificial nails are an attractive way to add flair and grace to your hands. A session with a manicurist can feel like a real pampering experience, unless you develop a nail fungus on one or more of your nails. Unfortunately, because your nails are hidden you might not discover the nail fungus until it requires more extensive treatment.

Nail fungus, called onychomycosis, more typically occurs in toe nails but when fingernails are covered with plastic from artificial nails, a barrier to normal air flow and light is created. Fungus loves to grow in moist, dark places. Artificial nails can become loosened from the nail they are glued to and a pocket may form between both of the nails. Trapped water provides a prime breeding ground for nail fungus to grow.

The biggest problem with nail fungus infections is that they are very difficult to cure and may reoccur easily. Nail fungus usually grows at the tip of the nail where it meets the skin. Nail fungus can appear as thickened, discolored, brittle or ragged at the ends of the nail. It can take months for new healthy nail to grow after treatment especially if infections reoccur.

How Nail Fungus is treated:

Topical cream- If the nail fungus is very mild, a topical antifungal cream may be tried. Lamisil cream contains the active ingredient of terbinafine that combats nail and other skin fungus infections.

Oral medication- There are 3 oral prescription medications used to treat nail fungus, Lamisil, Sporanox and Diflucan. Unfortunately, each requires several weeks to months of treatment to get the fungus infection under control and they can cause severe side effects that some people do not tolerate.

Prevention:

1. Make sure the salon you go to is reputable and practices superior hygienic technique in maintaining cleanliness with good hand washing performed between clients.

2. Do not have nails applied if you have any nail inflammations already present. If you have chemical sensitivities start with only doing one nail as a test to make sure no irritations arise after it is applied.

3. Artificial nails can become loosened if bumped and separate from your own nail. Make sure to soak your finger in alcohol to disinfectant your own nail before attaching a new artificial nail.

4. Do not wear artificial nails for more than 3 months at a time and allow a month in between for your own nails to be exposed to air and light.

5. Do not return to wearing artificial nails or nail polish until the nail fungus infection has cleared.

Clearly, preventing a nail fungus infection is preferred to the struggle of trying to rid yourself of one once it has started. Taking these extra precautions will hopefully help avoid months of possible treatment.

http://dermatology.about.com/cs/fungalinfections/a/Onychomycosis.htm

https://www.blueshieldca.com/hw/articles/hw_article.jsp?articleId=HWHW255051

http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chirs_Parker

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nail-fungus/DS00084