What Is a Nail Fungal Infection? What Causes Nail Fungus Infections?

Also known as onychomycosis and tinea unguium, nail fungal infections are the most common diseases of the nails, making up about 50% of nail abnormalities. Both fingernails and toenails are susceptible to the infection, which usually manifests as discoloration and thickening of the nail and crumbling edges. The condition most commonly occurs in toenails. 

Between six and eight percent of the adult population suffers from nail fungus infection.

Who gets nail fungus infections?

Nail fungus infections are more common in men than women and in the elderly than the young. Additional traits or factors that raise one's risk of nail fungal infection include the following:

• Diminished blood circulation
• Slow growing nails
• A family history of fungal infection (genetics)
• Heavy perspiration
• Humid or moist work environment
• Wearing socks and shoes that prevent ventilation
• Walking barefoot in damp public places (swimming pools, gyms and shower rooms)
• Previous injury or infection to the skin or nail
• Diabetes, AIDS, circulation problems, a weakened immune system
• Tight footwear with crowding of toes
• Exercise that causes repeated minor trauma to the hyponychium (where the finger tip attaches to the nail)

What causes nail fungus infections?

Nail fungal infections are caused by microscopic organisms called fungi that do not require sunlight to survive. Most commonly, a group of fungi called dermatophytes (such as Candida) is responsible for nail fungal infections. However, some yeasts and molds also cause these infections. 

Though Trichophyton rubrum is the most common dermatophyte that causes nail fungal infections, Trichophyton interdigitale, Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton violaceum, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton tonsurans, and Trichophyton soudanense may also cause the infections. Common mold causes include Neoscytalidium, Scopulariopsis, andAspergillus.

Pathogens that cause nail fungus infection usually enter the skin through tiny cuts or small separations between the nail and nail bed. The fungi grow when the nail provides a suitably warm and moist environment.

What are the symptoms of nail fungus infections?

Nails that are infected with fungus typically are thickened, brittle, crumbly, ragged, distorted, dull, and darker or yellowish in color. A patient may also experience onycholysis, where infected nails separate from the nail bed. Sometimes, nail fungal infections result in pain in the toes or fingertips, and they may even emit a slight foul odor. 

Another symptom associated with nail fungus infections are fungus-free skin lesions called dermatophytids. These may be rashes or itchiness in an area of the body that is not infected with the fungus - much like an allergic reaction.

How are nail fungus infections diagnosed?

In order to diagnose nail fungus infections, a doctor will usually examine debris that is scraped from underneath the nail. The nail scrapings will be used in tests such as a potassium hydroxide (KOH) smear or a fungal culture. The KOH test can be quickly performed, while the fungal culture can take weeks. 

Physicians must be careful when diagnosing fungal infections of the nail because several other conditions can result in similar symptoms. These include psoriasis, lichen planus, contact dermatitis, trauma, nail bed tumor, eczema, and yellow nail syndrome.

What nail fungus treatments are there?

Treating nail fungus infections can be a long and expensive process. There are oral antifungal medications, topical ointments, and alternative therapies. Over-the-counter creams and ointments are available, but they have not proved very effective. 

Oral medications for nail fungus infection include Itraconazole (Sporanox), Fluconazole (Diflucan), and Terbinafine (Lamisil), which typically take up to four months before fully replacing the infected nail with uninfected nail. 

Topical nail fungus treatments include antifungal lacquer or nail polish such as ciclopirox (Penlac) in addition to other creams. Use of topical remedies can clear nail fungal infections, but often does not completely cure the infection. 

In some extreme cases, a physician will opt to remove the entire nail. 

Alternative medicines used to treat nail fungal infections include Australian tea tree oil and grapefruit seed extract. However, there is no scientific evidence supporting the use of these products.

How can nail fungus infections be prevented?

Preventing nail fungus infections requires proper hand and foot hygiene. Some suggestions include:

• Keeping nails short, dry, and clean
• Wearing socks that breathe, usually synthetic
• Using antifungal sprays or powders
• Wearing rubber gloves to avoid overexposure to water
• Refraining from picking or biting nails
• Wearing shoes or sandals in public places and pools
• Ensuring that your manicure or pedicure salon properly sterilizes tools
• Stopping use of nail polish and artificial nails
• Washing hands after touching infected nails
• Avoiding sharing shoes and socks

Priyanka Chopra named India's most dangerous celebrity online

Actress Priyanka Chopra has topped the list of the most dangerous celebrities in the Indian cyberspace this year followed by Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, according to a study. 

Priyanka knocked off Sunny Leone, who topped the list last year but dropped to the ninth position this time, in the study by security software maker McAfee.

Kareena Kapoor and Akshay Kumar were in the top five in the study which highlights how cybercriminals use celebrities to take advantage of fans seeking more information about their idols.

"In India where celebrities enjoy demigod status, cybercriminals often use their names to lure people to sites which host malicious software designed to compromise personal details and disrupt devices," McAfee India Centre VP Engineering (Consumer and Mobile Business Group) Venkatasubrahmanyam Krishnapur said.

This year, searching for a celebrity's name, with search terms like "wall paper", "videos" and "nude pictures" resulted in the highest instances of malware-laden sites. Chopra, showed 79 infected search results, while Shah Rukh was at the second spot with 75 malicious sites, Salman ranked third, with 68 infected sites.

The top-10 list was rounded off by Saif Ali Khan, megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar, Leone and Hrithik Roshan

"AFTERNOON NAP" HELPS YOUNGSTERS FOR GOOD LEARNING

Getting young children to take an hour-long nap after lunch could help them with their learning by boosting brain power, a small study suggests.

A nap appeared to help three-to-five-year-olds better remember pre-school lessons, US researchers said.

University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers studied 40 youngsters and report their findings in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The benefit persisted in the afternoon after a nap and into the next day.

The study authors say their results suggest naps are critical for memory consolidation and early learning.

Continue reading the main story

“Start Quote

This is important, because pre-school nurseries are divided on whether they should allow their children a nap”

Paediatrician Dr Robert Scott-Jupp

When the children were allowed a siesta after lunch they performed significantly better on a visual-spatial tasks in the afternoon and the next day than when they were denied a midday snooze.

Following a nap, children recalled 10% more of the information they were being tested on than they did when they had been kept awake.

Close monitoring of 14 additional youngsters who came to the researchers' sleep lab revealed the processes at work in the brain during asleep.

As the children napped, they experienced increased activity in brain regions linked with learning and integrating new information.

Memory aid

Lead investigator Rebecca Spencer said: "Essentially we are the first to report evidence that naps are important for preschool children.

"Our study shows that naps help the kids better remember what they are learning in preschool."

She said while older children would naturally drop their daytime sleep, younger children should be encouraged to nap.

Dr Robert Scott-Jupp, of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: "It's been known for years that having a short sleep can improve the mental performance of adults, for example doctors working night shifts. Up until now, no-one has looked at the same thing in toddlers. This is important, because pre-school nurseries are divided on whether they should allow their children a nap.

"Toddlers soak up a huge amount of information everyday as they become increasingly inquisitive about the world around them and begin to gain independence.

"To be at their most alert toddlers need about 11-13 hours of sleep a day, giving their active minds a chance to wind down and re-charge, ready for the day ahead. We now know that a daytime sleep could be as important as a nighttime one. Without it, they would be tired, grumpy, forgetful and would struggle to concentrate."

5 reasons why the US won’t go to war with Syria

Drums of war are beating loud, matched in turn by the high-decibel resistance of objectors, conscientious and otherwise. In the midst of this cacophony, Mr Obama is going to Capitol Hill to seek permission to bomb Syria. He is unlikely to get it. He is also unlikely to take any serious action against Syria without such license. Contrary to the many who view the strikes as imminent and inevitable, Damascus will be spared that dreaded shower of Cruise missiles. Here are five reasons why Obama will lose the fight for the right to fight.

Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com/world/5-reasons-why-the-us-wont-go-to-war-with-syria-1087359.html?utm_source=ref_article

Strike on Syria Could Mean Nuke Disaster - Russia

(VIENNA) — Russia is warning that a U.S. strike on Syria’s atomic facilities might result in a nuclear catastrophe and is urging the U.N. to present a risk analysis of such a scenario.

The warning comes from Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Alexander Lukashevich. He said in a statement Wednesday that a strike on a miniature reactor near Damascus or other nuclear installations could contaminate the region with radioactivity, adding: “The consequences could be catastrophic.”

IAEA spokeswoman Gill Tudor told the AP in an email Thursday that her agency is ready to “consider the questions raised” by Lukashevich if it receives a formal request to do so from Moscow.

Russia’s Interfax news agency says that Moscow intends to bring up the issue at next week’s 35-nation IAEA board meeting.

Read more: http://world.time.com/2013/09/05/russia-strike-on-syria-could-mean-nuke-disaster/#ixzz2e0shuMBc

Almirah or Safe Placement as per Vastu

Many vastu consultants and vastu shastra itself recommends to keep the iron shelf Almira towards Southwest part of a room and that to in Southwest portion of the house. This is advisable and correct system. Keep the Almira towards Southwest and open towards North or East. But beware it should not have the mirror. Otherwise it is nothing but Southwest mirror. Check the below images.

Here an iron Almirah facing towards East direction at Southwest part of a house. This is only for your kind information. If the same Almirah is stand on one dais made with mountain rock base, then it is perfectly good. The Almirah facing towards North is first preference and facing towards East is second preference. Some may have the Almirah with glass. Below is one of that. It should not be keep towards Southwest part of the house.



Here the Almira is having one mirror which is not good to keep towards Southwest direction of the room, which is towards Southwest master bedroom. It may be considered as a door. The door towards Southwest direction is not auspicious one. Please note that we have tested at some where and getting reviews and noted points and informing to our website visitors. Some body may get immediate results and some body may not get immediate results, based on reviews from our customers, we have decided to practically done the experiments and noted the points, some health problems are created and financially some issues are coming if the Almira is having the mirror. Better keep the Almira without mirror at Southwest part. If you never faces any problem, then continue, we don't have any objection, what we published here is what we tested. The heavy furniture like Almirah and Sofa sets and heavy tables etc should be arranged towards Southern southwest corner. It is better that this furniture be placed along with the walls in the South and the West.

Remedy for Glassed Almirah:

How to do the correction for this mirror to the Almira, here is the small tip, one resident used thermocol. No need to remove the mirror from the almira, if you remove the mirror, it shows very ugly and entire room atmosphere may disturbs.

We also recommends to go for another tip, use the portrait wallpaper which is easily available in the market. Affix the same wallpaper to this thermocol if you needed, or you may directly affix the wallpaper to the mirror with transparent cellophen tape.

Vastu Shastra for North Direction

In this image a white line is moving from Eashan(Northeast) to Vayavya(Northwest) that is called as North direction of that property and a arrow is also moving for your kind information. The entire that wall is called North facing or North direction of that property. This is a holy direction. Lord Kubera is the lord of this direction. He is also the lord of MONEY and RICHES. He is eminent in business and trade. He has more interest in fine arts. But, he suffers from leprosy. That may be the reason for the diseases of rich people or Tycoons.

North Reflects Money and Female Happiness and Many More:-

Kubera is also called ‘THREEAMBAKA’. He is a good friend to lord Shiva . He has one face and two hands. He has a golden spear in the right hand and a golden pot in the left hand containing precious stones, gold, money etc. His wife or Devi is called ‘CHIDHRINI’. He rides on a horse. Some Shastras says that he rides on a MAN (That is why money rules over man). He is golden textured.

If this direction is extended along with North-east (Eeshana) that will bring more happiness and riches to the family.

Those who live in these houses (Houses facing North direction) are generally law abiding people. They will respect their dignity and have self-respect. They have fear for unlawful activities. They will show patience and tolerance in their activities. They will have less interest in politics and other social development works.

This direction shows dominance of women. The best constructed North houses will bring improvements to ladies and their leadership in the family. It will affect the health of ladies frequently and they should get proper treatment if northeast is afflicted.

The wind from this direction is called as WITHERING AIR. This has sweet taste and is viscous. The breeze is cool and gives energy to the body.

They will pardon even their enemies. They will show mercy to the poor and downtrodden people. But, they fear taking risks and brood over their weakness.

If this direction is properly utilized, the ladies life will be very happy. There will be very happy. There will be good inflow of funds or money to the house continuously.

We should not heap stone, wastage etc. in this North direction. This will lead to financial loss and hamper children’s upbringing.

A house is facing towards a road and that road is towards North Direction, the house is called as North facing House.

House and site is good, then residents enjoy richness, enjoyment, good pleasures, money, loans to others, good health, happiness in the house etc. If any thing anti, then all the results may vary. In general in this house female domination is appears. Domination in the sense, husband respects wife voice, or wife may be interfere in all husband activities and giving guidance.

North East Cut:-

Northeast cut is danger to the entire plot / House, don't buy Northeast cut plots or houses or factories. The development may stops if there is no Northeast.

If your plot does have Northeast cut, then consult one expert vastu consultant and get a right solution from him. Don't bother about his fee, it is a small thing compare to your property. If you approach quacks in the market, finally you will be the looser.

North West Extention Plat or House:-

This plot the Northwest is extended towards North, this plot is also danger, not suggested to buy. There are techniques to avoid this extension, but basically the plot itself have negative forces from this extension, you may observe so many plots like this in USA or some other western countries.

If your plot is like this it is better to approach one expert vastu shastri and obtain recommendation to avoid the bad situations.

Please note that if your business concerns are like this, then immediately take action, otherwise it may curse without mercy.