Fungal Nail Infection

Fungal nail infections are common infections of the fingernails or toenails that can cause the nail to become discolored, thick, and more likely to crack and break. Infections are more common in toenails than fingernails. The technical name for a fungal nail infection is “onychomycosis.”

If one or more of nails are:

• Thickened Whitish to yellow-brown discoloration brittle, crumbly or ragged.
• Distorted in shape.
• Smelling slightly foul.
• A dark color, caused by debris building up under your nail.

Skin infection, itching and skin nearby becomes red and swollen. 

1. Incompatible food like having milk and fruits together
2. Having diabetes, circulation problems or a weakened immune system
3. Obese individuals.
4. Swimming in a public swimming pool.
5. Walking barefoot in damp communal areas.
6. Wearing artificial nails.
7. Having an injury to the nail or skin around the nail.

According to Ayurveda, fungal nail infection is caused due to the vitiation of  three doshas. And this causes impaired digestive fire and toxins(ama). Aggravated doshas along with ama they spread to all parts of the body and accumulate in the nail bed losing its normal resistance and becoming susceptible to fungal infection.

Treatment protocol aims at:

1. Giving relief from infection and maintaining the normal texture of the nail.
2. Prevent recurrence by healing and repairing the tissue.
3. Regular intake of supplements can help in long term relief and maintaining overall health. 

The first line of treatment should always be avoiding the causative factors. If the problem persists then consider the following treatment protocol:

1. Nails with thickened whitish to yellow-brown discoloration brittle, crumbly or ragged, distorted, foul smelling nail - When the nail gets infected, it becomes thick, brittle, discoloured or may even fall off. Khadira, Manjistha, Sigru, Vidanga will arrest the growth of fungus, which is anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory.
2. Skin infection, itching, red and swollen - Fungus can spread to nearby skin areas and can cause infection. Triphala guggulu, Sarive and Karanja will heal, repair the skin tissue and treat the infection.

(The above mentioned Ayurvedic drugs are Herbs and Herbomineral preparations)

Khadira, Manjistha, Sigru, Vidanga, Triphala guggulu ,Sarive and Karanja