Breztri Aerosphere side effects: What they are and how to manage them
What Is Nail Fungus?
Nail fungus (medically known as onychomycosis) is a common fungal infection that occurs when fungi in the environment enter your nail bed (the tissue below your nails). Generally, nail fungus affects the toenails, but it's possible to experience symptoms in the fingernails, too. Common symptoms include discoloration, fragile or brittle nails, and cracking.
Certain factors like older age, having a weakened immune system, and living with health conditions such as diabetes can increase your risk of this condition. About 10% of the general population develops nail fungus, but over 50% of people over the age of 70 have this condition. But treatments like oral medications, topical creams, and nail removal can help improve symptoms.
Nail fungus affects your toenails and fingernails, which may cause symptoms such as: Nail discoloration, making the nails look white, yellow, or brown Cloudy or chalky white-colored patches in the nail Changes in the nail shape Thickening of the nail Brittle, thinning, or fragile nails A gap between the nail and the nail bed Buildup of debris under the nail Cracking or splitting in the nails Keep in mind: symptoms can develop in one or more nails. Generally, the longer you wait to treat nail fungus, the worse symptoms can become. While pain is rare with nail fungus, severe cases of this condition may cause discomfort when wearing shoes or gloves. Nail fungus occurs when certain fungi called dermatophytes infect the tissue under the nail or nail bed. These dermatophytes can enter your nail through cuts in the surrounding skin, cracks in the nail, or spaces that develop between the nail and nail bed. Once they infect the area, the fungi reproduce which causes symptoms to occur. It's easy for nail fungus to spread through direct contact with infected surfaces or skin. It's common to catch fungi if you walk barefoot in places like hotel carpets, on gym or locker room floors, or around pools. Sharing towels or nail clippers can also spread the infection. It's also common to develop nail fungus if you wear moist and sweaty socks or shoes. Risk Factors While anyone can develop nail fungus, some people have a higher chance of experiencing symptoms. Factors that can increase your risk include: Being over the age of 60 Residing in a hot or humid climate Having sweaty feet or poor blood circulation Walking around on damp surfaces Receiving cancer treatment or living with cancer Living with health conditions like diabetes, psoriasis, or HIV/AIDS Previously experiencing a nail infection or injury Recently undergoing an organ transplant If you have symptoms of nail fungus, it's a good idea to reach out to your healthcare provider for proper testing. During the diagnostic process, your provider will rule out conditions that may cause similar symptoms. These conditions include: Toe injury Psoriasis Skin cancer Contact dermatitis Yellow nail syndrome In some cases, your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose a fungal infection through a visual physical exam. But to confirm a suspected case, they'll collect a sample of a toenail clipping and evaluate it under a microscope. Once they send the toenail sample into the lab, they can learn the specific fungi that are causing your symptoms and prescribe appropriate treatment. Your healthcare provider may work with a dermatologist (skin doctor) or podiatrist (foot doctor) to guide treatment. Though it doesn't usually lead to complications, nail fungus can sometimes be difficult to treat. As your dermatologist or podiatrist will tell you, it typically takes a year or more before you see results. That said, oral medications, topical creams, nail removal, and laser therapy are some options for effectively treating a fungal infection. Oral Medications Healthcare providers prescribe two classes of antifungal medications: azole and allylamine, that you can take by mouth. Your provider will prescribe these drugs for three weeks to a year, depending on the severity of your symptoms. Common medications include Diflucan (fluconazole), Sporanox (itraconazole), and Lamisil (terbinafine). These are up to 70% to 76% effective in getting rid of nail fungus. Topical Treatments Medicated nail lacquer that you apply twice a day directly on affected nails is another treatment option. Ciclopirox 8% is the only such prescription solution available U.S. Because the keratin (a type of protein) that makes up nails is hard to penetrate through, this treatment is only effective about 9% of the time. There are also several over-the-counter medications, including Nail Renew (a solution of cyanoacrylate, undecylenic acid, and hydroquinone) and a topical cream called Lamisil (terbinafine). Current research shows that the effectiveness of these treatments is limited. Nail Trimming or Removal Some studies have shown that regularly trimming the affected nails or removing them can help improve symptoms. Experts recommend nail removal alongside other treatments, such as oral or topical medications. For instance, researchers found this work to make Ciclopirox 8% (the nail lacquer) more effective, raising the cure rate to about 77%. Laser Therapy Laser treatments, in which laser lights are directed to affected ideas, are FDA-approved to treat nail fungus. Though laser therapy is effective, research shows that medications are more successful in getting rid of nail fungus. Complementary Methods Some people with nail fungus also try applying herbal ointments to the affected nails. According to a review of the literature, there's some evidence that snake root extract and menthol (Vick's Vaporub) are effective. There's early evidence that tea tree oil is an antifungal remedy, but more research is needed to investigate the effectiveness of the oil. Before you incorporate at-home remedies to treat nail fungus, always check with your provider to see if these options are safe for you. While it may be difficult to entirely avoid nail fungus, dermatologists recommend doing the following things to prevent getting nail fungus or having a repeat infection, including: Wearing flip-flops or shoes in shared, moist spaces, like pool decks, saunas, or gym locker rooms Throwing out and replacing any socks or shoes that you wore while having a prior foot or nail infection Changing your socks whenever your feet get sweaty Buying shoes that fit properly Preventing foot dampness by wearing leather, canvas, or mesh shows, which let your feet breathe more Alternating the shoes you wear each day Regularly cleaning and trimming your nails Sanitizing your nail clippers before use Avoiding using another person's nail clippers or wearing their socks and shoes Keeping the skin on your feet moisturized to prevent cracked skin and cuts Though nail fungus isn't dangerous and is often a cosmetic issue, there is a rare risk of developing some complications. These complications typically affect people older than 60 or those with weakened immune systems. Complications may include: Cellulitis: Fungi that spread from the nail to the surrounding tissues can cause cellulitis, an infection that causes swelling and discolored skin Sepsis: A serious and rare blood infection that can lead to shock and organ failure if the fungi infect your blood Paronychia: Causing swelling, redness, and sometimes pus, paronychia is when the nail fungus spreads to the tissue folds around your nails Osteomyelitis: Occurs when the fungi spread to nearby bones, causing infection symptoms like pain, swelling, fever, and chills Nail fungus can develop when fungi enter the tissue below your nails, causing discoloration, brittle nails, and cracking. Walking on damp surfaces, sharing nail clippers with others, and wearing sweaty socks are some factors that can cause nail fungus. Fortunately, treatments like oral pills and topical medications can help reduce symptoms over time.Thanks for your feedback!
Study Explains How A Fungus Can Control The Corn Leafhopper, An Extremely Harmful Pest
image:
The EPG system at work in the laboratory: electrodes are connected to insects on corn plants
view moreCredit: Nathalie Maluta
The Corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis has become a serious problem for farmers. This tiny insect is now widely distributed in the Americas, from the south of the United States to the north of Argentina. In Brazil, it uses only corn plants as hosts, and little is known about its survival mechanisms in the absence of these plants. In corn, it causes damage directly by sucking sap from the phloem, the vascular tissue that conducts sugar and other metabolic products downward from the leaves.
This is not the only problem, however. The insect also transmits pathogens (bacteria and viruses) that stunt plant growth and potentially ruin an entire crop. It is usually combated by spraying the crop with pesticides or biological control agents to reduce the population of these insects and prevent the transmission of pathogens to new plant hosts. Chemical insecticides are the main weapons, but they have adverse side effects, and biological control is a growing alternative.
Some commercially available bioinsecticides currently contain Cordyceps javanica (formerly called Isaria fumosorosea or Cordyceps fumosorosea), a generalist fungus with high potential for controlling sap-sucking insects. Exactly how it does so was poorly understood until a study was conducted to elucidate the action of this entomopathogenic fungus on D. Maidis at the São Paulo Advanced Research Center for Biological Control (SPARCBio), established by FAPESP and Koppert Biological Systems at the University of São Paulo's Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ-USP).
The investigation was conducted by agronomist Nathalie Maluta, a researcher at SPARCBio and Koppert Brazil. She is the first author of an article on the study published in the journal Scientific Reports. The co-authors are Thiago Rodrigues de Castro, head of research and development at Koppert Brazil; and João Roberto Spotti Lopes, a professor at ESALQ-USP.
"Our study showed that the fungus begins affecting the insect's behavior two days after the crop is sprayed with bioinsecticide, reducing its activity in terms of both feeding on phloem sap and transmitting plant pathogens," Maluta told Agência FAPESP.
Electrical penetration graphing (EPG), the technique she deployed, is relatively unknown in Brazil and can be considered analogous to measuring the electrical activity of the heart by electrocardiogram. A test specimen of D. Maidis was connected to an electrode, and the activity of its stylet, a hollow feeding organ resembling a drinking straw, was plotted as a graph as it probed the plant's tissue to suck the sap.
"EPG generates waveforms for voltage level, frequency and amplitude, which can be correlated with the insect's biological activities, enabling the researcher to observe in real time what it's doing or what's happening to it, including the effects of the bioinsecticide on its sucking or pathogen transmission activity," Maluta said.
"The product with the fungus is sprayed onto the plant so as to cover all the insects there and form a film on the surface of the plant. Insects that arrive later will come into contact with this film, and the fungus will penetrate their bodies one way or another. Its effect isn't immediate. It needs a few days to germinate and produce spores, leading to the death of the insects. Well before that, however, the fungus begins affecting their behavior, including how they feed."
The action of C. Javanica is entirely specific and does not constitute a hazard for human or animal consumption – so much so that its use is permitted on organic crops. "This fungus is natural and exists in the wild. It wasn't made in the laboratory by genetic manipulation," she said.
D. Maidis has been spreading very rapidly, Maluta explained, owing to climate change, large-scale expansion of monoculture, and above all improper use of management tools such as chemical control. "Application of chemical insecticides without prior monitoring, and without knowing whether control measures are required, leads to selection of resistant individuals. Susceptible individuals die and resistant ones continue to feed on the crop. Eventually, no control instruments work any longer. Management strategies need to change radically," she said.
"D. Maidis has affected corn for a long time, but in recent years the population has exploded. One of the reasons is shorter crop cycles, including the introduction of a winter crop [safrinha], which boosts proliferation of these insects because they have food practically all year round."
About São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is a public institution with the mission of supporting scientific research in all fields of knowledge by awarding scholarships, fellowships and grants to investigators linked with higher education and research institutions in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. FAPESP is aware that the very best research can only be done by working with the best researchers internationally. Therefore, it has established partnerships with funding agencies, higher education, private companies, and research organizations in other countries known for the quality of their research and has been encouraging scientists funded by its grants to further develop their international collaboration. You can learn more about FAPESP at www.Fapesp.Br/en and visit FAPESP news agency at www.Agencia.Fapesp.Br/en to keep updated with the latest scientific breakthroughs FAPESP helps achieve through its many programs, awards and research centers. You may also subscribe to FAPESP news agency at http://agencia.Fapesp.Br/subscribe.
JournalScientific Reports
Article TitleDC-electrical penetration graph waveforms for Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and the effects of entomopathogenic fungi on its probing behavior
Article Publication Date12-Dec-2023
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! Are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! By contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
What To Know About The Stages Of Toenail Fungus Progression
Toenail fungus often starts with mild nail discoloration or lifting. Though it's not usually serious, the nails may thicken, become brittle, or fall off without treatment.
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is fairly common.
It usually isn't a significant concern — it may happen to just about everyone. But when it overgrows, an infection can occur.
Here's what to know about the stages of toenail fungus and how to treat it before it worsens.
Nail fungus may happen on the fingernails or toenails, though it's more common on the toes. People with fungal toenail infections often have an infection like athlete's foot (tinea pedis) or ringworm between the toes.
The earliest stage of toenail fungus typically involves:
In the moderate stage, you might notice:
When it's advanced, you may have:
A chronic health concern can cause:
Keep in mind that people may mistake nail psoriasis for nail fungus. But nail psoriasis typically has a pink, reddish, or purplish tone.
Rarely, people may mistake melanoma for nail fungus. Though melanoma may be difficult to detect, the nails may have more extreme pigmentation changes, such as brown or black color bands on the nail. Speaking with a doctor is a good idea if you have melanoma concerns.
Treating the fungus as soon as possible prevents it from growing and destroying your nail. The timeline of the fungal progression typically looks like this:
It may take about 12–18 months before fresh growth fully replaces the damaged nail. When you start to see healthy nail growth from the base of the nail (after treatment), it shows your body has cleared the infection.
Fungus thrives in moist environments. With that in mind, several things may cause or worsen toenail fungus, including:
Other things that may make someone more likely to get fungus include:
Since fungus is usually present on the body, experts typically consider toenail fungus a cosmetic concern in its earliest stages. But as it worsens, it can cause more severe health concerns. For that reason, they recommend treating it as soon as possible.
Medical treatment options for toenail fungus include:
Several home remedies may be effective for nail fungus, including:
If you have a weakened immune system, it's a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional about treatment instead of treating it on your own. Also, contact a doctor if the infection is severe or spreads to other nails.
Toenail fungus often starts as subtle nail discoloration or lifting, but it can thicken, become brittle, and cause nail loss without treatment. Detecting it early, practicing foot hygiene, and using antifungal tablets or creams can help stop its progression.
Though common, toenail fungus can become painful. Home remedies like tea tree oil may be effective, but always contact a healthcare professional if it affects your daily activities.
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