Fungal Finger Infection

Finger fungal infection usually can be of two types – fungus infection of the skin around the fingers and fungus infection of the fingernails. The fungus infection of the skin will be similar to other skin fungus infections. More often, however, the finger fungal infection will mean a nail fungus infection, medically known onychomycosis. Nail fungus infection is a condition when the fungus starts attacking the nails, making yellow and white spots under the nails. Consequently, the nail gets discolored, becomes brittle, and breaks down easily. Sometimes, the nail may also grow thick and distorted after a fungal infection.

Fingers get fungal infection when they are subjected to a hot and humid condition for a very long time. Once fungus gets conducive environment to grow, it may attack either the skin folds between the fingers or the fingernails.

Nail Fungus Home Treatment

There are several home remedies for finger fungus infection that you can try out.

• Apply turmeric paste: Mix turmeric powder in water and make a paste. Apply this paste on the fungus-affected skin and nails and leave until it dries up. Once dried, wash off the paste with cold water.

• Apply tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is known for its excellent anti-fungal properties, so you can use it as a remedy for finger fungus infection. Take a cotton ball, soak it in diluted tea tree oil, and gently rub over the infected area. You should do this 2-3 times every day.

• Apply alcohol: Take a cotton ball, soak it in alcohol, and rub it over the skin and fingernails.

• Apply vinegar: Soak your fingers in a bowl containing a vinegar-water solution. Add 1-2 spoonful of apple cider vinegar in a bowl of water and dip your fingers in it for about 15-20 minutes.

• Apply hydrogen peroxide: Soak cotton balls in a hydrogen peroxide solution and rub it over your skin and nails.

However, if you find that these home remedies are not helping you to cure the fungus infection, you should consult a dermatologist and get proper medical treatment. It is advisable not to delay the treatment because the infection may deteriorate with time, if not treated properly.

Also, there are some preventive steps you should follow to avoid getting fungal infection in the first place. Some of them are:

• Keep your skin and fingernails in good hygiene

• Always ensure that you dry the skin between your fingers and your fingernails properly after a wash

• Avoid using nail polish on fungus-infected nails as they trap the moisture inside and makes the infection worse

• Use antifungal powder or ointments on your fingers and nails when you suspect some early signs of infection.