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Over 30 million people worldwide suffer from some sort of nail or nail fungus. The statistics are alarming to say the least. Nail and toe nail fungus can be as suttle as a yellowing or discoloring of the nail or toenail and as serious as the complete loss of, deformity of one or more nails on the hands, feet or both. Not too mention, if left unattended, the infection can be excruciatingly painful that could result in a visit to a doctor.

Caught early however, those who suffer a mild case of nail or foot fungus infections can treat the affected condition using a natural topical solution. Those suffering with nail or toe nail fungus may not see their condition extend beyond a mild case, in some cases, people have reported having the condition for more than 10yrs without it becoming too serious. Other people have reported that their condition is nothing more than an ugly discoloration of the nail or toenail, more of the nuisance than anything,

No matter how serious your case may be, it is usually accompanied by discoloring of the nail, crusty and bumpy in appearance and a discharge of a smelly odor, especially on the feet. Nail fungus usually spreads from one nail to another and may be passed on to others, friends, family members etc, so it's not something that should be ignored.

There are many so called miracle cures and home remedies available and this information is readily available all over the Internet. Don't be fooled into thinking that any of the home treatments work because most of the time they don't and you will be very disappointed in the end when you see no results.

Taking the time to educate yourself is one of the best steps you can take in finding a cure. No two cures are alike, what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another but the important thing is to start your treatment early and not later. Nail or foot fungus is very curable, but it takes allot of time and patience to completely eliminate. Don't start a treatment then decide not to follow though.. Doing so will spell failure and you will be very disappointed once again thinking that your treatment failed when in fact you did not take the time to apply a topical as directed. There are no overnight cures and you may not even see results in 2 week or even 4. Patience is a virtue in this case.

Should i consult my doctor? The answer to that question is quite obvious. If your having trouble walking, unable to put your shoes on, as is the case with a nail fungus infection or your condition seems serious, by all means do so. Be aware however that you may be placed on a medication such as Limasil which incidentally has been linked to liver damage and other unknown causes. This alone is enough to scare many people. The adverse affects of fungal mediation is still very unclear and many would much rather deal with their condition without a prescription then to actually start one. Limasil and other prescription treatments can take upwards of 6 months and cost thousands of dollars. Even then, there are no guarantees
and your condition could recur. The other problem being, millions of people have no health insurance. Recently, those statistics show that over 26 million Americans alone have no insurance whatsoever. No insurance means expensive treatments, treatments that many people can't afford.

So what are the alternatives to prescription drugs? Well, a good topical that contains all naturals herbs, oils and vitamins can usually clear up the affected area but it does take time, usually 2 to 3 months, and can take even longer. As the fungus dies the new nail begins to appear and we all know how slowly nails grow. As the new nail appears it will look smooth and disease free. Treatment should continue until the entire nail has been replaced with the new nail.

One of the misconceptions about a nail and foot fungus is that it can't be spread from one person to another. Actually, that is not the case. It is very easy to get a nail fungus infection and it's common among those who have sweaty feet, share bathrooms, swimming pools, showers and locker rooms. Also people who do a lot of standing and are on their feet frequently, as in the case of runners, athletes and dancers are prone to infection. Individual who have a history of athlete's foot, have manicure and pedicure in places where dirty nail files and in use or where unsanitary conditions exists, e.g. salons. These types of places are perfect mediums to harbor fungus spores. Senior citizens, who are about sixty five years old and above and people who have diabetes and other forms of circulatory diseases are also prone to all types of nail fungus.

Nail fungus cure: What ever treatment you choose, make sure that it includes natural ingredients such as Tree Tea Oils and vitamin E. Other ingredients such as Clove oil and Lemon grass oil add soothing relief. When searching for a treatment, be sure that your product contains two or more of these ingredients on the label. And most importantly, don't skip on your application. If the label says apply 3 times a day then make sure you do so.

Important nail and foot fungus tips:

1) Try wearing natural cotton socks. It allows the feet to breathe.
2) Do not share towels or wash cloths with others; you may spread or collect spores.
3) Wear breathable shoes if you're on your feet allot.
4) Ladies, do not use nail polish to hide your discolored toenails. Do not use nail polish until the disease is completely gone.
5) File the infected nail thin so that a local topical can penetrate the nail more effectively.
6) Caution in Gyms, wear flip flops in showers and always wear protective footwear when walking around in locker rooms, even while showering where many other do.
7) Reduce your intake of sugary foods. Some people suggest reducing sugar consumption which will make your body less capable of hosting fungi.