Nail Fungus

February 8, 2003

Jeanette,

Your costume has aroused my attention. If you are good looking, I will come

over right away.

Regards, Harald

At 10:34 PM 2/7/03 -0500, Jeanette wrote:

>Hi Orin,

>

>I live in the Cayman Islands which are in the tropics and do not wear

>anything other than sandals all year round...

>

>Jeanette

February 8, 2003

Tea Tree Oil is slow, but can be helpful.

(RA 25+ years, AP since Nov. 97)

rheumatic Re: Nail Fungus

Hi Hank

Fungal nail infections are nortoriously difficult to treat.

Fingernails are marginally easier to treat than toenails. The usual

culprit is the fungus Onychomycosis. Topical applications of

liquids or creams aren't usually very effective as they can't reach

the source of the infection which needs to be treated internally.

I was treated with Lamisil (Terbinafine) tablets 250mg daily for

several months to try to clear up long a standing fungal infection

of both big toe nails 3 years ago. I had nail clippings analysed to

confirm the diagnosis. Even with prolonged treatment I only managed

to completely clear one nail. I stopped treatment on my doctors

orders after developing painful joints. He looked up the possible

side effects and arthritis was listed, although I can't find any

reference to it on the net. I had hoped the awful pain and

stiffness I was experiencing was drug induced and would clear up

once I discontinued use, but it continued to get worse and I was

eventually diagnosed with RA. It was probably pure coincidence, but

I have often wondered if Lamisil was in some way responsible.

Needless to say, I still have one infected toenail and am concerned

that this fungus could be impeeding my Minocin treatment. I have

even contemplated having the whole nail removed, but that's drastic

action and I'm not even sure that would rid my system of the

fungus. It could still be lurking internally.

Not sure if this helps, but thought I'd add my personal experience

to the debate.

Lindy

> First a little history, then my question:

>

> I have PA (Psoriatic Arthritis) for about 4 years.

> I am about 90% cured since I started AP (Minocin 100mg MWF with

> probiotic) in April 2002.

> My psoriasis is now gone since I used Dovonex covered with plastic

> wrap (prevents cream from rubbing off). Two years ago it did not

> work at all.

> Fingernails are still discolored and pitted. Last year they were

> tested (scraped at the Dr. office) and the microscope showed a

> fungus. Apparently Minocin does not work on fungus.

>

> In Dec 2002 I tried " Fungi Cure " an over counter topical Anti-

Fungal

> Liquid (Undecylenic Acid) on my nails every day. The results were

> that I now have a band of clear nail with pitting before and

after.

> This shows that one - it is a fungus and two - it is systemic and

I

> need to attack it from the inside.

>

> QUESTION:

>

> What has worked or not worked for any of you to treat a fungus

> infection?

> Diflucan?

> Erythrocin?

> Nizoral?

> Flagyl?

> Sporanox?

> Nystatin?

>

> Thanks,

> Hank

To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

February 8, 2003

> it...

> NOTHING helps.... the doc said the only way to cure it is to pull it

and the

> other nails out..

> Pris

I'm sure those of you who have this problem know a lot more about it

than myself or anybody else. Just thought I'd pass along what Dr. Weil

said and a couple of other links he had pointed to:

" Toenail fungus is a pesky and sometimes embarrassing problem that

occasionally can become painful, sometimes so painful that it becomes

difficult to walk. The problem is an infection called onychomycosis

that affects the bed and plate underlying the nail. It's usually

caused by fungi called dermophytes that live off the protein in the

nail, and at least 5 percent of the population has the infection. You

can pick up the infection easily when walking barefoot in damp public

areas like swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers. People with

chronic diseases such as diabetes or immune-deficiency conditions are

especially vulnerable, as are those with a history of athlete's foot

or those prone to excessive perspiration.

Tea tree oil — a natural disinfectant sold at health food stores —

usually does work, but you've got to be patient: Paint it on the

affected nails twice a day for at least two months. The nail has to

grow out for the fungus to be eradicated, so it may take up to a year

to see results. You also could try grapefruit seed extract, which you

use in the same way as tea tree oil: Apply twice a day for at least

two months.

As for conventional treatments, oral antifungal drugs seem to be

effective in most cases but pose the risk of potentially fatal liver

problems. While this has occurred only in rare cases, I see no reason

to take even a very small risk for a problem that usually is cosmetic.

In addition to these new prescription drugs, podiatrists sometimes

perform surgery to temporarily remove infected nails so that a topical

antifungal medication can be applied directly to the nail bed. In

painful cases, a chronically infected nail can be permanently removed.

Besides treatment, be sure to take these precautions to prevent

recurrences:

* Keep your feet as clean and dry as possible.

* Wear waterproof sandals at swimming pools or other wet public areas.

* Change your socks or hosiery daily.

* Clip toenails straight across — nails should not extend beyond

the tips of the toes.

* Avoid tight hosiery, which promotes moisture retention; wear

synthetic fabric socks that " wick " moisture away from feet better than

cotton or wool.

June 25, 2004

What I recommend is white vinegar. I have seen and heard from many

people that it does work for nail fungus . What is does is lower the

pH level that fungi have a difficult time growing in.

KC

June 25, 2004

What I recommend is white vinegar. I have seen and heard from many

people that it does work for nail fungus . What is does is lower the

pH level that fungi have a difficult time growing in.

KC

June 25, 2004

Do you know if it is used in a mixture with water or straight?

a

What I recommend is white vinegar. I have seen and heard from many

people that it does work for nail fungus . What is does is lower the

pH level that fungi have a difficult time growing in.

KC

June 25, 2004

Do you know if it is used in a mixture with water or straight?

a

What I recommend is white vinegar. I have seen and heard from many

people that it does work for nail fungus . What is does is lower the

pH level that fungi have a difficult time growing in.

KC

June 25, 2004

a,

Nail fungus, toe fungus, thrush, rashes, coated tongue, are all signs

of a systemic candida infestation. Mold will certainly exacerbate

any form of fungal infection. Systemically (throughout the blood and

lymph) these fungal pathogens can be destroyed, then topically all

forms of rashes, nail fungs will go away.

Russ

Certified Lymphologist

NHS

>

> Do you know if it is used in a mixture with water or straight?

> a

>

> What I recommend is white vinegar. I have seen and heard from many

> people that it does work for nail fungus . What is does is lower the

> pH level that fungi have a difficult time growing in.

>

> KC

>

June 25, 2004

a,

Nail fungus, toe fungus, thrush, rashes, coated tongue, are all signs

of a systemic candida infestation. Mold will certainly exacerbate

any form of fungal infection. Systemically (throughout the blood and

lymph) these fungal pathogens can be destroyed, then topically all

forms of rashes, nail fungs will go away.

Russ

Certified Lymphologist

NHS

>

> Do you know if it is used in a mixture with water or straight?

> a

>

> What I recommend is white vinegar. I have seen and heard from many

> people that it does work for nail fungus . What is does is lower the

> pH level that fungi have a difficult time growing in.

>

> KC

>

June 25, 2004

Have to be careful which white vinegar you use....most are petroleum

distillates.

On Fri, 25 Jun 2004, tigerpaw2c wrote:

> Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 00:17:56 -0000

> From: tigerpaw2c <tigerpaw2C@...>

> Reply-

>

> Subject: [] Re: Nail fungus

>

> What I recommend is white vinegar. I have seen and heard from many

> people that it does work for nail fungus . What is does is lower the

> pH level that fungi have a difficult time growing in.

>

> KC

>

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June 25, 2004