Senior Issues with Nail Fungus

It's gross and no one likes to talk about it. However, many people, especially seniors get it. What is this "it" you might wonder? It is nail fungus! A fungal infection can develop in both the fingernails and toenails and is identified in the beginning stages as a yellow or white spot under the tip of the nail. As the fungus spreads, into your nail, the nail will discolor, get thicker and even start to crumble. This is not only disgusting looking but also painful.

Nail fungus thrives in moist, warm conditions like sweaty feet trapped in shoes or even from the floors of a shower. While nail fungus is treatable, the infection that causes it may not ever really go away, so recurrences are a problem.

A Closer Look at the Symptoms and Causes of Nail Fungus

Also called onychomycosis, a fungal infection will make your nails look thicker and brittle. The nails may also look distorted and ragged with a dull appearance. While health nails shine, fungal nails lack that luster. Debris could also build up under the infected nail making it look dark in color.

Sometimes, your infected nail could pull away from the bed of the nail. This can cause pain and some people even say that they can smell a slightly offensive odor due to the infection. For some seniors, nail fungus can occur due to a weaker blood circulation to the toes and fingers. This in turn inhibits the body's ability to fight infection.

Nail fungus are tiny microscopic beasties that just love warm dark places. If you are a frequent swimmer and hang around locker rooms, chances are that you could develop an infection which causes nail fungus. These little organisms enter the body through little undetectable cuts as well as between the separation of the nail and nail bed.

Toe nails are the most popular areas for seniors to experience nail fungus. This is because after your feet are exposed to an infection through a warm, wet environment, you put your feet inside shoes, essentially trapping your toes and the moisture. The fungus thrives under these conditions.

Treatment of Nail Fungus

Nail fungus is difficult to treat and rest assured that most over the counter remedies are ineffective against it. Therefore, only a doctor can prescribe a treatment. There are both oral and topical medication options for treating nail fungus. With the oral medications, they help your nails develop new, healthy growth. This health growth slowly pushes out the infected nail. This process is slow going and you may not see progress for weeks and weeks. However, it could take at long as 1/3 of a year before the infection is completely gone.

Topical medications are not quite as successful. There is one topical option which is applied much like nail polish. This anti-fungal application is not effective for every person. In addition, some prescription ointments can cause rashes and skin irritation. The last resort for the treatment of nail fungus is to totally remove the infected nail. For some seniors, it could take as long as a year before a new nail comes in.

The bottom line is that to avoid nail fungus, you have to avoid all the environments that promote its growth. Now, while you may not want to avoid swimming and you can probably wear protective shoes while in the locker and shower rooms. In addition, always dry your feet before putting on your socks and sneakers.

What are IRAs?

With all the three letter names floating around our society what is one more? Really? It's not like we don't have enough to worry about without adding this burden. However, when it comes to real life, these three letters will have a greater noticeable affect on people than many of the other three letter names that we here on a regular basis such as the CIA, FBI, NSB, ATF, and countless other abbreviations that are hidden behind three little letters. The good news is that an IRA isn't nearly as insidious as its name would imply. This is a useful tool to most Americans who hope to someday retire from their life of work and life out a somewhat comfortable existence.

There are actually many different IRAs, which is the abbreviation for individual retirement account.

A Traditional IRA is the most common. The only requirement for this particular IRA is that you are employed and that you invest no more than 100% of your income or $4,000 per year, whichever is greater up to the age of 49. At the age of 50 your maximum investment is 100% of your income or $5,000 whichever happens to be greater. If you meet the requirements of the IRS to their satisfaction your contributions to your traditional IRA will be tax deductible. As a result, the funds are not taxed while in your IRA account but once the funds are withdrawn they are subject to federal income taxes.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, particularly for those who plan to be in a lower tax bracket when the funds are withdrawn. However, there is a growing number of people who are interested in the benefits that Roth IRAs and similar funds present by paying the taxes now when the rates are known rather than risk an even higher rate of taxation in the future, even in a lower tax bracket. The best advice I can give is to discuss the matter thoroughly with your financial planner and listen to their advice.

This is a case where only you can ultimately decide which decision is best for your needs but he or she can provide valuable guidance. You should also keep in mind that though laws favor non-taxation for Roth contributions that could change between now and the time you are ready to withdraw your funds, which will have you paying double taxes on those funds and is the primary reason that many people elect to stick with Traditional IRAs instead.

There are several distinct disadvantages to the traditional IRA funds. One of those would be the requirements in order to qualify for tax deductions. First of all, if you have the opportunity to invest in another retirement option through your employer you must be below a certain income level in order to qualify for the tax deduction. If you do not meet that qualification all the funds that are deposited into your IRA fund are subject to federal income tax. You will need to seriously discuss your stock buying strategies before determining if this is the best choice for you as those who buy and hold tend to be penalized when it comes to capital gains.

As things are currently, a Roth IRA is often preferable as the money isn't immediately tax deductible but not only is the investment not taxed upon withdrawal but neither are the gains that were earned on the investment. Another serious setback when it comes to the traditional IRA is that you are required to begin receiving payments at age 70.5. As we are seeing more and more people work well beyond the traditional retirement age this is becoming more and more of an issue.

There are advantages and disadvantages to traditional IRAs. It is important that you decide which of these you are prepared to live with and which you would rather live without. These differences will matter a great deal when retirement comes. Take the time to discuss your goals for the future with your financial advisor and see what he or she recommends.