Common nail infections to avoid
Fungal nail infections are caused as a result of several factors but mainly occur due to lack of hygiene. Therefore, it is essential to keep yourself and your surroundings clean. Fungal nail infections are of four types. However, dermatophytes are the fungi that are responsible for most nail infections. Here’s a list of the common nail infections.
Distal subungual onychomycosis (DSO)
It is the most common type of nail infection, and it starts its attacking process by first infecting the skin under the nail (nail bed) and within the nail. As a result, a part of the nail turns either white or yellow. As the infection worsens, the nail eventually crumbles and splits. DSO may be a lifelong infection and hard to treat.
Candida onychomycosis
This is a yeast infection of the nail and is quite uncommon. The infection is found more commonly in finger nails than in toe nails and affects the nail and skin surrounding the nail (nail folds). Such a fungal infection can cause the nail to separate from the nail bed and can occur in multiple nails at the same time. The skin (nail fold) usually becomes red, swollen, tender and warm as a result of infection. Unlike other nail infections, this disease can be quite painful.
White superficial onychomycosis (WSO)
This is another prevalent type of fungal nail infection but can be easily treated. In this case, the top surface of the nail is attacked, and white spots begin to develop. Eventually, the nail surface gets covered in a crumbly and chalky powder.
Proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO)
Such a nail infection is commonly found in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and is caused by dermatophytes. The infection occurs on the skin at the nail fold thus thickening it and causing it to separate from the nail. As a result, the nail bed may appear white and the nail, opaque. This infection may also affect the skin on top of the foot.
Conclusion
If you are suffering from any one of these infections, you can try to change your personal care routine a bit, and if the problem persists, visit a doctor immediately.
Are the tires of your vehicle getting old and losing grip? If so, then it may be time to upgrade them. There are many things to remember when purchasing new tires for your car or truck. Missing out on some of them may leave you with the wrong tires or tires that don’t survive for too long. Here are some of the most common tire-buying mistakes and ways to avoid them.
Not knowing what you need
Based on your car or truck model, you may want your tires to have certain capabilities. Knowing your vehicle’s requirements and driving style is crucial when purchasing new tires. Look for an alphanumeric sequence on its sidewall to determine your current tire’s specifications. Let’s say the sequence on your tire reads “P225/70R1691T.” Here is a breakdown of its interpretation-
Forgetting to consider speed ratings
All tires come with a Tire Speed Rating (TRS). It determines the intensity of speed a tire can handle before overheating, expanding, or exploding. In the example mentioned above, the last letter (T) indicates the tire’s speed rating. The current TRS system uses the letters A to Z to accord a rank to every tire, such that each letter corresponds to a specific speed. Here are the most common speed ratings you will find on tires across the country-
Therefore, a speed rating of ‘V’ implies that a tire can safely handle speeds up to 149 miles per hour. However, these are only testing speeds, and it is not advised to drive at this pace. Therefore, one must follow all traffic laws and observe all applicable speed limits to drive safely.
Not considering the
Are the tires of your vehicle getting old and losing grip? If so, then it may be time to upgrade them. There are many things to remember when purchasing new tires for your car or truck. Missing out on some of them may leave you with the wrong tires or tires that don’t survive for too long. Here are some of the most common tire-buying mistakes and ways to avoid them.
Not knowing what you need
Based on your car or truck model, you may want your tires to have certain capabilities. Knowing your vehicle’s requirements and driving style is crucial when purchasing new tires. Look for an alphanumeric sequence on its sidewall to determine your current tire’s specifications. Let’s say the sequence on your tire reads “P225/70R1691T.” Here is a breakdown of its interpretation-
Forgetting to consider speed ratings
All tires come with a Tire Speed Rating (TRS). It determines the intensity of speed a tire can handle before overheating, expanding, or exploding. In the example mentioned above, the last letter (T) indicates the tire’s speed rating. The current TRS system uses the letters A to Z to accord a rank to every tire, such that each letter corresponds to a specific speed. Here are the most common speed ratings you will find on tires across the country-
Therefore, a speed rating of ‘V’ implies that a tire can safely handle speeds up to 149 miles per hour. However, these are only testing speeds, and it is not advised to drive at this pace. Therefore, one must follow all traffic laws and observe all applicable speed limits to drive safely.
Not considering the Load Index Rating
The tire specifications also include a load index rating. It determines how much weight the tires can hold before crumbling or exploding. The load index rating of each tire can be found on the specifications on the side wall.
Let’s reconsider the earlier example with the tire specification “P225/70R1691T.” The load index rating is mentioned just before the tire speed rating; in this case, it is 91. Each load index rating (0-150) corresponds to a particular weight. In this case, a load index of 91 means that each tire can handle up to 1356 lbs of weight. It is multiplied by four tires in a car to reach a maximum overall load capacity of 5424 lbs. When calculating the load rating you need, consider the weight of an entire car and a loaded trunk. It is best to overestimate this number to travel comfortably without damaging your tires.
Buying the wrong size
The specification on your tires also mentions its width from wall to wall and its rim size so that you can buy the right tire size for your vehicle. Every car has its wheel specification based on its make and model. Buying the wrong size will give you fitting issues and cause the tires to run down faster than usual.
For instance, for the tire specification “P225/70R1691T,” you can infer that the nominal section width of the tire is 225 mm, and the diameter of the tire’s inner rim is 16 inches. Having these measurements in hand when shopping for new tires will help you find the best fit for your vehicle.
Buying for the wrong season
Some tires are meant to be used in certain seasons alone. This general distinction is offered between all-season, summer, and winter tires. Due to decreased traction during winters in snowy regions, cars and trucks may need special tires to find the correct grip. However, these need to be replaced during the summers, as they will run down faster when they hit the pavement.
Buying based on the price only
All tires are not designed in the same way. Shopping by price alone is not a guarantee for a quality tire. At the same time, going for the cheapest tire may also prove counterproductive, as the tires may wear out quickly and need to be replaced sooner. Instead, consider the manufacturer’s tire size and type recommendation when choosing a tire, as alternatives may impact the car’s handling. Additionally, look up reviews and find information about how the tire can help improve fuel economy, how well it handles, how long it has lasted for others, and so on. It will give you a realistic estimate of what to expect from your tire and bring to light any potential problems to steer clear of.
Once you have chosen and replaced your tires, take good care of them to help them last longer. It includes regular rotations to prevent uneven wear and inflating them with the right amount of air to increase fuel economy and decrease tire wear.
The tire specifications also include a load index rating. It determines how much weight the tires can hold before crumbling or exploding. The load index rating of each tire can be found on the specifications on the side wall.
Let’s reconsider the earlier example with the tire specification “P225/70R1691T.” The load index rating is mentioned just before the tire speed rating; in this case, it is 91. Each load index rating (0-150) corresponds to a particular weight. In this case, a load index of 91 means that each tire can handle up to 1356 lbs of weight. It is multiplied by four tires in a car to reach a maximum overall load capacity of 5424 lbs. When calculating the load rating you need, consider the weight of an entire car and a loaded trunk. It is best to overestimate this number to travel comfortably without damaging your tires.
Purchasing the wrong size
The specification on your tires also mentions its width from wall to wall and its rim size so that you can buy the right tire size for your vehicle. Every car has its wheel specification based on its make and model. Buying the wrong size will give you fitting issues and cause the tires to run down faster than usual.
For instance, for the tire specification “P225/70R1691T,” you can infer that the nominal section width of the tire is 225 mm, and the diameter of the tire’s inner rim is 16 inches. Having these measurements in hand when shopping for new tires will help you find the best fit for your vehicle.
Buying for the wrong season
Some tires are meant to be used in certain seasons alone. This general distinction is offered between all-season, summer, and winter tires. Due to decreased traction during winters in snowy regions, cars and trucks may need special tires to find the correct grip. However, these need to be replaced during the summers, as they will run down faster when they hit the pavement.
Going by price alone
All tires are not designed in the same way. Shopping by price alone is not a guarantee for a quality tire. At the same time, going for the cheapest tire may also prove counterproductive, as the tires may wear out quickly and need to be replaced sooner. Instead, consider the manufacturer’s tire size and type recommendation when choosing a tire, as alternatives may impact the car’s handling. Additionally, look up reviews and find information about how the tire can help improve fuel economy, how well it handles, how long it has lasted for others, and so on. It will give you a realistic estimate of what to expect from your tire and bring to light any potential problems to steer clear of.
Once you have chosen and replaced your tires, take good care of them to help them last longer. It includes regular rotations to prevent uneven wear and inflating them with the right amount of air to increase fuel economy and decrease tire wear.
Heartburn, also referred to as acid reflux, is characterized by an uncomfortable burning feeling or pain in the chest. Occasional heartburn is common among adults and isn’t a major concern. If you’re wondering what causes bad heartburn, it’s usually certain trigger foods like chocolates, onions, and fatty foods. To relieve symptoms, it’s important to carefully choose your meals. Read on to learn about foods to eat and avoid to manage heartburn.
6 Foods to Eat and Avoid to Manage Heartburn
Eat: Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the best foods to consume for heartburn. Being a whole grain, it contains lots of fiber. Fiber helps absorb stomach acid, reducing the symptoms of acid reflux. So, make sure to enjoy at least a bowl of oatmeal each day. You can also try other whole grain options like brown rice and whole-wheat bread.
Avoid: Fatty foods
To effectively manage bad heartburn, it’s vital to eliminate all potential causes of the problem. Fatty foods are a common culprit of acid reflux and can also make the condition worse. They are slower to digest and relax your lower esophageal sphincter (LES), exacerbating heartburn. Steer clear of various high-fat foods like French fries, full-fat milk, and fatty cuts of meats.
Eat: Ginger
Ginger has long been used to treat various ailments, especially gastrointestinal issues. Thanks to its alkaline nature and powerful anti-inflammatory properties, ginger can reduce irritation in the digestive tract and relieve heartburn. This spice is versatile and can be used in stir-fried dishes, soups, and smoothies. You can even drink multiple cups of ginger tea daily.
Avoid: Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and lime, are indeed nutritious. But they should not be consumed when heartburn flares up as they directly cause it by being highly acidic in nature.
Eat: Yogurt
Yogurt is an excellent food choice when it comes to resolving gastrointestinal problems. It contains lots of probiotics, which are good bacteria that keep your digestive tract healthy. This can help alleviate heartburn. A cup of yogurt can also soothe an irritated esophagus. If you don’t like yogurt, choose from other great probiotic-rich options like kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha.
Avoid: Caffeinated beverages
It’s well known that drinks with caffeine, such as tea and coffee, can aggravate acid reflux. Chocolates contain caffeine, too, so it’s best to avoid them. Moreover, carbonated beverages, like soda, contain carbon dioxide and caffeine, which can have a double whammy effect during heartburn flare-ups.