Be it on the toe, the toenail or between the toes, a fungal infection is common and fairly difficult to cure. The problem with toe fungus is that it tends to recur – once you have it the chances are pretty good that you will get it again. It is commonly thought to be a problem with hygiene but even if you are obsessive about your personal hygiene, a fungal infection of the toes can still occur. But there is no need to live with it. A toe fungus is easily treated and somewhat preventable. There is just no guarantee that it will not recur again within weeks, months or even years later.

Why does fungus prefer the toes?

Toe fungus is part of a fungal infection of the feet. Medically it is known as tinea pedis but most of us refer to it as athlete’s foot. The web of the toes and toenails are commonly affected areas as compared to other parts of the feet. Athlete’s foot is caused by dermatophytes, a group of fungi that only infects the outer layers of the skin. The fungi have special enzymes that can “dissolve” the tough protein of the outer skin and nails known as keratin and feed on it.

continue reading 9 Tips for Toe Fungus Treatment and Prevention

Nail biting is more than just a bad habit. It can cause diseases. Most of the serious diseases associated with nail biting is a result of infections. It is not just the fingers that can become infected. Nail biting may lead to infections anywhere on the surface of the body and even internally. Most nail biters do not realize just how unhygienic the practice can be but more so how dangerous it may be. Some of these infections that arises with nail biting can be very serious and even lead to severe diseases that may be fatal without the proper treatment.

continue reading How Nail Biting Causes Infections

There are many reasons why the head, like any part of the body, itches. It is not uncommon. We all scratch our head at times and sometimes it has nothing to do with an itch. It is somewhat of a social norm to scratch your head when you are thinking or nervous. But when head itching is persistent and affecting your life then it needs to be investigated further. In these instance an itchy head may be a medical problem that needs proper medical treatment. However, some of the more common reasons for head itching can easily be prevented and treated without drugs, shampoos or ointments.

continue reading Ways to Stop and Prevent Head Itching

Our complexion is not only determined by the amount of brown pigment (melanin) in our skin. Another major component is the color of blood. Just below the outermost layer of skin is a network of blood vessels that also contribute to skin color – actually it is the blood flowing through these vessels that are responsible for the redness of our skin under normal circumstances.

Naturally the skin appears more red than normal if there is larger amounts of blood flowing through these vessels. And less blood flow will reduce the redness and even contribute to a pale appearance. These blood vessels may widen (dilate) and narrow (constrict) for various reasons and this is how the blood flow in the area is either increased or decreased respectively.

Redness of the skin is more evident in lighter skinned people. The naturally brown colored skin pigment, melanin, can block most of the redness when more concentrated, like in darker skinned people. Just as pigmentation is genetically determined, so are the number of blood vessels that occur in the skin. Some people may have a more highly vascularized skin than others meaning that there are more blood vessels present. This also increases the redness of the face even with normal blood flow.

continue reading List of Reasons For An Unusually Red Face

Dry skin does not often seem like a serious ailment. But it can be. The skin is the barrier that protects the delicate internal environment of the human body from the harsh external environment. Dryness may not immediately seem like the skin is now compromised but it actually is to some degree. As the drying worsens, dangerous microbes in the environment can gain entry into the body causing serious and even life-threatening infections. Similarly toxic chemicals can seep into the body. Therefore dry skin should be avoided as far as possible.

continue reading Simple Ways to Avoid Dry Skin