Nail fungus is one of those things most people don't worry about until it's too late. When it starts it usually begins as a spot, then, if not treated, the nail fungus infection will spread through the entire nail, discoloring it, making it look unhealthy and even disgusting. This is when nail fungus then becomes an embarrassing conditions. Imagine wanting to go to the beach and not doing it because you have nail fungus.

The nail fungus infection is also known as onychomycosis. It is an infection that affects 13% of people in USA and accounts for about half of nail disorders. Symptoms of having nail fungus are: thickened nails, crumbly or ragged edges, shape distortion, lack of shine, abnormal color, and even pain in toes or fingertips.

So, what causes nail fungus infections to appear? The main cause for the development of nail fungus infections are warm and moist environments for the feet. If you wear sneakers and shoes all day, and you have sweaty feet, watch out because you're setting the environment for infections to appear. Also beware of shower floors and swimming pools, these are very common places to get in contact with the fungus. It enters your skin through tiny cuts and the nail separation.

Now you have some things in mind to prevent infections to appear. But once the infection starts it is time to properly treat it. Always remember that the most important thing you should do is consult a doctor. From there, there are different treatments. The remedies can be topical or oral, depending of the diagnosis, and it is a long process, taking months to fully recover the nail. That is why you should act as quickly as possible.

Home remedies are also part of the solution. Though I haven't tried them myself, they include the use of bleach, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and some more things. There are also natural options that use essential oils and herbs to treat the nail fungus infection.

As you can see you have more than one option to tackle the problem, but regardless of your preferred method, remember that you should consult to a professional physician first. Ask questions, and also ask for information on the various treatments.