Best Ways to Relieve A Painful Nail Fungal Infection

Can Nail Fungal Infections Be Painful?

Nail fungal infections are usually not alarming. Discolorations in the form of black spots or white streaks may dictate that your nails are infected. These early signs and symptoms normally do not provide any discomfort, and because of this, they can also be easily dismissed. However, as nail fungus progresses, it only exacerbates the problem.

Severe onychomycosis is the end-stage and most advanced form of nail fungal infections. This is not only the most difficult stage to clear, but it is also the type of infection with the highest risk to permanent nail damage, secondary bacterial infection, and eventually gangrene. The prevalence of onychomycosis is increasing. In the United States alone, almost 6 to 12 percent of the population are suffering from this nail problem.

Severe nail fungus usually begins with nail discoloration — it might be white, black, yellow, or green. The nails become thick and deform to an unusual shape and texture, making them difficult to trim. The nail’s health also suffers and the structure starts to become weak, brittle, and crumbly. Later on, the thickness of the nail inflicts pain and discomfort, particularly when placing pressure on the affected area. The pain may start to interfere with your daily activities, like standing, walking, and exercising. Being aware of how severe nail fungus manifests is key to preventing it.

Best Ways To Relieve Pain When You Have Nail Fungus

The pain you experience with nail fungal infections are usually caused by the thickening of the nails. Listed are the best ways to relieve of the pain with severe nail fungal infections.

Wearing comfortable shoes

• When toenails are thickened due to nail fungus, wearing close toed shoes may hurt you. Choosing the right type of footwear can eliminate some of the discomfort. Flip flops, sandals, and loose-fitting shoes are best to use so that it does not bother the affected nail.

Cutting the nails short may relieve you from discomfort

• Once the nails are already thickened, some form of swelling might occur. Regular trimming is necessary to avoid the inflammation. In some cases, a thickened nail may be hard to trim on your own. Seek the help of a podiatrist or dermatologist to help you trim your nails.

Tea Tree Oil has soothing properties that can help in pain management

• Tea tree oil, or melaleuca oil, is a natural oil that comes from Australia’s Melaleuca alternifolia plant. Not only does tea tree oil possess antifungal properties, it also relieves itchiness, discomfort, and inflammation. There are many topical anti-fungal solutions that carry this natural ingredient in their product. An example is EmoniNail, which is an FDA-approved effective treatment for onychomycosis. If you choose tea tree oil and remedy it on your own, one must be reminded that it needs to be diluted. Direct application of tea tree oil is not ideal. This can easily be fixed by diluting it with coconut oil.

Treat Your Nail Fungus Problem As Early As Possible

The best way to relieve you off the pain from nail fungus is by eliminating the problem itself. Treating nail fungal infections can vary from person to person, so consulting your doctor might be best to know how you can fight the infection and eventually improve your nail’s health.

Suggested Treatments for Nail Fungal Infections

• Topical Anti-fungal Solutions
  • Topical solutions are widely used to treat nail fungus because they are easily available as over-the-counter medicines. Topical remedies that contain undecylenic acid and tea tree oil are seen to effectively treat nail fungal infection. Prolonged and regular application can result to ultimately killing the nail fungus and preventing reinfection.
• Prescription Treatments
  • Prescription treatments may come in either oral or topical forms. A physician will look into the severity of your nail problem, and when the infection becomes serious, the need for prescription anti-fungal medicines may be considered. Oral and topical prescriptions, though effective, do not provide quick relief from nail fungus and may take as long as a year to show results. They also cause side effects that may be harmful for pregnant and lactating women or those with liver diseases. Close supervision with a physician is a must so that it may not lead to further complication.
• Surgical Treatment
  • A painful and damaged nail may require mechanical treatments, such as surgical nail removal. Commonly, this is done for people suffering from painful and stubborn onychomycosis that do not respond well to the previous forms of treatment mentioned. Postoperative, antibacterials, and anti-fungal medications will be prescribed to prevent recurrence.
• Laser Treatment
  • Laser therapy is latest treatment for nail fungal infections. People with severe forms of nail fungus are the ones that may benefit from this type of treatment. Since it is only new, there are only a few studies supporting its efficiency.

Conclusion

Early signs and symptoms of nail fungus may be hard to detect. In addition, nail fungal infections are generally not bothersome, but letting the infection to develop and progress can later on inflict pain and discomfort. There are simple ways to relieve yourself from the pain when your onychomycosis becomes severe. Wearing  proper footwear, trimming thickened nails, and using pain-relieving anti-fungal ingredients like tea tree oil are soothing solutions that take away some of your discomfort. Essentially, the best form of relief is by eliminating nail fungus itself. Though it may be more challenging when nail fungal infection becomes severe, there are many treatment options available now. Treatment may differ from person to person, so consulting a physician is necessary to know what would work well in your condition. Combination treatment may also provide more efficacy and ultimately rid you of your nail problem.

Prevention is still better than cure, so if the early signs and symptoms of nail fungal infections are present in your nail, treat them right away. By doing this, you can avoid the irritating consequences of severe nail fungus, like pain, discomfort, and the difficulty in treating it in its late stages.