Toenail fungus most times begins with a small separation between the end of the nail and the skin under the nail (the nail bed). Over time, a yellow material forms in this separation, thus your toenail will become thick, yellow or brown. There may also be white spots visible on the nail.

Once the nail is infected there may be a good deal of pain, which could make it quite uncomfortable to walk or even stand. The next stage is that the nail separates, and then you are left with a nasty, smelly destroyed yellow toenail. Next you will be saying my toenail fell off. When the old toenail falls off a new toenail will grow back, but the new toenail will grow back with the fungus.

Without toe nail fungus treatment, nail fungus will persist. So you better go see a doctor unless you wish to watch it happen all over again.

Toenail Fungus

As you may have noticed there are NO images of people’s feet showing dramatic pictures of toenail fungus, If you have toe fungus, foot fungus, I don’t image you want to look anyone else’s feet, you have seen enough foot fungus. If you really want to see pictures of toenail fungus there is one at the bottom of this page.

Toenail fungus is unsightly, persistent, nasty, embarrassing, and most of all aggravating! Nail fungus is also known as Onychomycosis, ringworm of the nail. It is a parasitic infection in the nail of the toes and fingers. Big toes and the little toes have the highest risk, because they are exposed to friction from your shoes.

Nail fungus infections involves a group of fungi called Trichophyton rubrum and trishophyton mentagrophyted. They thrive on keratin, the protein in your nail. Nail fungus can also thrive on yeasts (Candida albicans or Candida parapsilosis, mold, or even the acrylic nail bonding agent methyl methacrylate, which is often used in discount nail salons.

Men are twice as likely as women to have nail fungus, and it increases with age.

Those with diabetes or HIV are a greater risk so are those who tend to perspire a lot from their feet, or have a history of athletes foot. Poor circulation and hot humid weather can be an added factor. My daughter who is insulin dependent cannot wear acrylic nails or nail polish, because more times than not, she gets a fungal infection and loses either her fingernail, or loses her toenail due to the fungus infection.

WATCH THE VIDEO - Dr Oz’s Home Remedies For Nail Fungus

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Your doctor will attempt to remove as much of the affected toe nail fungus as possible. He may trim the nail with clippers, file it down, or he may dissolve it with Bifonazole and Urea paste. If the infected toe nail area is fairly small, the doctor may prescribe a medicated nail polish containing Ciclopirox (Loprox). Apply Ciclopirox to the toe nail daily until the fungus is completely gone. This fungus remedy is great for people who are unable to take anti fungal drugs.

Toe nail fungus usually involves more than one nail, so your doctor may prescribe an antifungal drug that is taken orally for several months ue to your nails growing in slowly.

Terbinafine (Lamisil) and Itraconazole (Sporonox) are each taken for up to 3 months and can be up to 70% effective.

Griseofulin (Fulvicic, Grissactin) is taken for 6 months and is up to 40% effective.

These medications have potential side effects such as nausea, rash, vomitting, stomach upset, and headaches. less common side effects are blood disorders and liver damage. Because of possible liver problems, Itraconazole should not be used by people taking Simvastatin, Lovastatin, Triazolam, or Cisapride. Before beginning treatment, your doctor will test your liver enzymes, and again during the course of your fungus treatment.

Natural Toe Nail Fungus Cure

Chamomile, echinacea, goldenseal, rosemary, sage and thyme. Chamomile, echinacea,and goldenseal have antiseptic properties. Echinacea boosts the immune system, plus helps to fight off infections. Look for topical creams for toenail fungus treatment containing these natural herbs and follow the directions.

Astragalus has antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is sometimes used topically for wounds.

Garlic has been shown to be effective against fungus.

Grapefruit seed extract will provide antibacterial and antifungal protection while boosting the immune system. Grapefruit seed extract is available in capsule and tincture form. The daily dose is a 100-milligram capsule. The grapefruit extract tincture is to add 10 drops of the extract 3 times a day to a wee glass of water.

Tea tree oil – Numerous studies have shown that tea tree oil may kill fungus and bacteria and is been effective in treating fungal infections of the toenail. Tea tree oil is used topically and never taken internally. Tea tree oil is safe to use full strength on the nail, but dilute it when you use it on the skin.

Natural Remedy For Toenail Fungus Treatments Click Here!

White Vinegar – Some people claim that with mild cases of toenail fungus, they would heat vinegar and soak their feet in it at least a couple of times a week over an extended period of time.

How Can I Avoid Toenail Fungus

The fungus that causes athlete’s foot can also cause toe fungus infection, which is more harder to fix. Treat athletes foot accordingly. Always be aware that foot fungus will spread

Care for your nails – keep your toenails short, dry and clean. After showering or bathing dry your feet well and between your toes.

Change your socks several times a day if your feet tend to sweat or swell.

Don’t pick your toenails – By picking your toenails and you pick the skin near the nail, you have just created an entry for fungi.

Foot powder – Use a high quality foot talcum powder it will absorb perspiration (Do Not Use Cornstarch).

Wear Sandals, flip-flops, or shoes when in public places such as gym showers, public pools and locker rooms. Without shoes you are putting yourself at high risk for fungal infection. (Wear comfortable shoes so your feet can breathe.)

I put the picture of toenail fungus here at the bottom for the curious who are wondering exactly what toenail fungus looks like. I don’t have pictures of foot fungus between toes, but if you would like to contribute to this toenail fungus information with pictures of foot fungus just contact me at trish@theherbalshopper.com.

Feel free to post a comment about how to get rid of toenail fungus, or foot fungus problems.

Fungi are simple parasitic plant organisms. Since they lack chlorophyll, they do not need sunlight to grow.

Toenail Fungus – The Herbal Shopper!

Causes Of Dizziness Vertigo

I have Meneire’s Disease and I cannot in all honesty say “what are the causes of vertigo“. All I know is for a number of years, before I knew I had Meneire’s I would get a fluid build up in one or both of my ears and was treated with an ongoing prescription of Garamycin Otic 0.3%, which I still uses from time to this day in fear of that pressure leading to vertigo. Read the excerpt from Wiki on Meneire’s and symptoms of vertigo which may shed some light on the subject, then I will tell you in my own words about my version of causes of vertigo and symptoms of vertigo.

The exact cause of Meneire’s disease is not known, but it is believed to be related to endolymphatic hydrops or excess fluid in the inner ear. It is thought that endolymphatic fluid bursts from its normal channels in the ear and flows into other areas causing damage. This is called “hydrops”. The membranous labyrinth, a system of membranes in the ear contains a fluid called endolymph. The membranes can become dilated like a balloon when pressure increases and drainage is blocked. This may be related to swelling of the endolymphatic sac or other tissues in the vestibular system of the inner ear, which is responsible for the body’s sense of balance.

In some cases, the endolymphatic duct may be obstructed by scar tissue, or may be narrow from birth. In some cases there may be too much fluid secreted by the stria vascularis. The symptoms may occur in the presence of a middle ear infection, head trauma or an upper respiratory tract infection, or by using aspirin, smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol. They may be further exacerbated by excessive consumption of salt in some patients. Some have pointed out that this “central hypothesis” of Meneire’s is questionable, as many normal people without Meneire’s have evidence of increased pressure in the inner ear too.

Outside of the United States, Betahistine is used to manage symptoms. Treatments aimed at lowering the pressure within the inner ear include antihistamines, anticholinergics, steroids, and diuretics. Devices that provide transtympanic micropressure pulses (such as the Meniett) are now showing some promise and is becoming more widely used as a Treatment for Meneire’s. The Meniett, specifically, is proven to be a safe method for reducing vertigo frequency for a majority of users. The anti-herpes virus drug Aciclovir has also been used with some success to Treat Meneire’s Disease.

Wikipedia Reference

Vertigo Symptoms

The first vertigo symptoms I experienced were when I got out of the shower in the morning. I started to see stars flying around when I bent down to dry myself. After experiencing this for about a week I went to the doctor and he just told me to keep an eye on it for now and keep him updated so he could determine what was going on as it could have been due to a number of reasons. Well one day shortly there after I could not believe it, I couldn’t get out of bed. Now I have had times I had one drink too many and got a little wobbly but this was like when you see a person so drunk they couldn’t stand. If I tried to lift my head it was like someone took my bed and flipped the whole bed over in a split second with me still in it. I spent close to a full week in my room eating gravol to make me sleep so I wouldn’t have to experience the vertigo dizziness and feeling the room spinning.

Florescent lights can trigger the light headiness and dizziness vertigo brings, also if my husband and I go to the movies and if there is a close-up of a fast moving scene I have to turn my head and watch from the corner of my eye, or even just watching something on t.v. that is a spiraling movement gives me that dreaded dizziness vertigo feeling in my head. If I am over stressed and over tired it can also start the onset of a mild form of vertigo. Since finding my vertigo cure, I have not spent endless hours in bed and dreading the thought of having to get up to go pee, because the symptoms of vertigo can be very debilitating to say the least.

Meneire’s disease affects the inner ear fluid pressure and is characterized by fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus (sound without external cause), and rotational vertigo (sense that the world is spinning around you). In addition to improving vertigo, tinnitus and deafness Serc results in a steady decrease in the intensity and frequency of vertigo attacks, that often totally incapacitate sufferers with constant dizziness.

Treatment For Vertigo

For occasional bouts of vertigo-dizziness, here a few natural remedies.

Ginger to stop dizziness, seasickness, motion sickness and all stomach stresses. Ginger is said to be more effective than the standard drug, dimenhydrinate (Dramamine). I have taken over the counter dramamine when I didn’t have my prescription meds and it also works as cures for dizziness. When I was having bouts of full blown vertigo I didn’t know about using ginger as a natural remedy . To prevent motion sickness, take 2 ginger capsules before before your trip.

Ginkgo-Ginkgo extract is prescribed throughout Europe for vertigo along with many other conditions. In a french study done with 70 people with chronic vertigo showed 47 percent improved while taking ginkgo for vertigo. recommended dose of 60 to 240 milligrams per day. Too much ginkgo can cause restlessness, diarrhea and irritability.

Celery seed a is a traditional chinese remedy used as a treatment for dizziness.

I have tried many different so called over the counter treatments for dizziness and vertigo, and all to no avail. (Dimenhydrinate is used to prevent and treat nausea, motion sickness, vomiting, dizziness, and vertigo associated with motion sickness) I took Benadryl, Gravol, Dramamine, but they were just a temporary solution for the treatment for vertigo dizziness. Other doctors gave me different prescriptions with names I cannot even pronounce, all for treatment of vertigo and Meneire’s Disease. Then the last prescription they gave me was for “Serc”. I have NOT had a full blown episode of vertigo since being on this medication for Vertigo. Over time the bouts of vertigo became less intense, and now when I start to get that light headed feeling, or my ears start to get that full feeling (plugged clogged so to speak) I get out the ear drops (Garizone Prescription) and use it twice a day for a day or two, and take my Serc for a day or two to be on the safe side. I have not had a full blown episode of vertigo dizziness from my Meneire’s disease for I would have say at least 15 years now!

Serc 24 mg twice daily is the recommended effective dose. It is effective but non-sedating, so patients can remain alert and maintain their active lifestyles. Plus, Serc does not interfere with the natural adaptation of the brain to the new situation of vertigo. This process is called ‘vestibular compensation’, and it is the body’s natural response to vertigo. To hasten compensation an active lifestyle is very important. Unlike more sedative treatments, Serc does not interfere with this compensation process.

Manganese deficiency Vertigo Cure

Anecdotal evidence suggests that a manganese deficiency may contribute to Meneire’s disease. The recommended daily amount of manganese to combat Meneire’s is 5 mg. Manganese can be toxic at high levels (beyond 12 mg/day). To ensure manganese is absorbed, it should be taken in Amino Acid Chelate form.

Get Amino Acid Chelate Manganese.
Women may experience increased symptoms during pregnancy or shortly before menstruation, probably due to increased fluid retention.

Dizziness Vertigo Causes Vertigo Symptoms-The Herbal Shopper!