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Fungal infections on our nails are very common, so don't worry you are not alone. The downside to having fungal infections on your nails apart from the fact that it does not look very nice is that it can be difficult to get rid of. Fungi and bacteria are all around us resulting in different effects on our body. For example a nail when infected will look thick and dull, eventually becoming crumbly and could even result in you loosing your nail. Having an infection on your nail is not very healthy or hygienic not to mention the bad odour to.

Our bodies will put up resistance to stop the fungus entering our nails, so once they do get inside they are very difficult to eliminate. Treatments can be found to treat these type of infections they are either topical, surgical or medication. Some of the treatments can be expensive therefore putting people off from treating the problem. Products such as Zetaclear are a more cost effective treatment.

The signs of nail fungus are nails becoming yellowish or even at times brownish. Nails will also start to become thick and brittle, tips of the nails will start to crumble. Treatment of fungal infections is not short term or overnight. You need to be prepared to treat the problem for quite a while, even when you think it may have cleared up it can return if you do not keep treating the problem.

Nail fungus usually appears on our toenails and one of the reasons for this is wearing shoes that are too tight and do not fit us correctly. Wearing shoes that our feet cannot breath in can cause our feet to perspire and build up infection.

Having an injury or trauma can cause infection. If you have obtained an injury then bacteria can get in. If you have a low immune system you are at a greater risk of getting these types of infections. Once you have the infection in one toe nail it can spread to other nails on your feet. Medication for these infections are available and come in different strengths depending on the level of infection. Awareness in preventing fungus infection can help prevent risk to your healthy nail, but once infected medication for the infection will be a long term treatment.

To get your healthy nail back you are looking to treat your nail for at least 3 months. The treatment you use will prevent the fungi growing allowing the healthy nail to grow back. Curing nail fungus has a success rate of around 60-80% and you may even get the infection back at some point in the future. As I have said before it's a long term infection this one. This is why even after your infection has been treated it may be recommended to you to keep using anti-fungal creams. This way you are helping to prevent a build up of fungus infection.

So how do you prevent and treat nail fungus? Here are few tips that may just help you.

1. Try to avoid wearing nylons where possible, switch to cotton or natural wool instead.

2. Wear shoes that your feet are able to breath in.

3. Always wash your feet regularly to keep them clean and always dry them thoroughly.

4. Have and use your own wash cloths and towels do not share as wet surfaces easily transmit bacteria.

5. If you don't need to wear nail polish then don't as this is one of the main causes of fungal infections.

6. Be careful if you are borrowing someone else nail cutters or other foot care tools. If the owner has a fungus infection they could pass it to you. Products such as this are not expensive so may well be better in the long run to buy your own.

7. If you are prone to infection also use a powder to help eliminate infections such as athletes foot.

8. If you do get a fungus infection then treat it immediately otherwise it may spread.

Just imagine you come to put on your favourite sandals or flip flops. Look down and your nails are not looking their usual nice pink colour. Fungus infection on our nails is not nice, so make sure you treat it quickly and help prevent it by doing those few simple tips.

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