Nail polish retains moisture in the nail bed (the tissue under the toenail). Because fungi thrive in humid environments, using nail polish can worsen a fungal infection. Even a mild discoloration can be a sign of toenail fungus and is worth a visit to the doctor. Find out why and how to get help for the symptoms of toenail fungus.
Over time, a toenail infected with fungi can become thick and deformed, causing pain. Dr. It can even make walking difficult when wearing shoes, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. Sometimes, untreated toenail fungus can spread to the surrounding skin of the foot.
This can lead to athlete's foot, a condition characterized by itching, redness and cracks in the skin. The fungus can also spread to the genitals, where it becomes tinea inguinalis, a condition that can affect both men and women, according to the American College of Osteopathy of Dermatology. This complication of fungal toenail infection is of particular concern for people with diabetes and other chronic conditions that weaken the immune system. If a toenail fungus spreads to the skin and causes it to crack, bacteria can enter.
This can cause cellulitis, a condition that causes swelling, redness and tenderness of the skin and that must be treated with antibiotics, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. UU. In severe cases of cellulitis, the infection can enter the bloodstream and be fatal.
The American College of Osteopathy of Dermatology explains that toenails infected with fungus can separate from the nail bed, a condition known as onycholysis. If this happens, the loose part of the nail will need to be removed. Even if the infected toenail doesn't loosen, it may need to be removed if the fungus doesn't go away with traditional treatments. In this case, a procedure called avulsion is used to remove the entire nail.
Sometimes, the nail is permanently removed using a procedure called matrixectomy. Treating the symptoms of toenail fungus If the affected area of the toenail is small and doesn't hurt, the doctor can wait to see what happens and see the infected toenail over time. While the fungus is unlikely to go away on its own, it is possible that don't get worse. By subscribing, you accept the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy.
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Learn how to prevent toenail fungus, how to prevent it from spreading, and what are the treatments most recent. Flip-flops affect the way we walk and provide little or no support for our feet. This can lead to heel, arch, and back pain, and even fractures and other damage. An ill-advised walk barefoot on the pool deck or even a pedicure that doesn't go well may be all fungi need to access the space under the toenail. Once there, the fungi begin their task of “extracting nutrients” from the nail and leaving it discolored, thickened, deformed and more.
Fungus usually enters the nail through a small cut or crack in the nail. Older people are more susceptible to nail fungus because their nails dry out as they age, making them more brittle and prone to cracking and letting in fungus. Nail fungus can also be transmitted from person to person, so it's a good idea to wear sandals or shower shoes in changing rooms or near wet and humid areas, such as swimming pools. Sprinkle antifungal powder on your shoes. These products can't treat a fungal nail infection, but they can help prevent the growth of fungus on shoes.
If toenail fungus isn't serious, doesn't bother you particularly, or isn't visible (because you keep it hidden under your socks and shoes), you may feel like you can “wait” for them to pass and delay treatment. The doctor may take a small sample from the toenail and have it tested to confirm the presence of a fungus. This increases the risk that the nail will start to stick into the sides of the toe as it grows, which can cause ingrown toenails and fungi form. With all the serious health hazards out there, such as cancer and diabetes, having a yellowish toenail fungus toenail can seem pretty insignificant.
In the early stages, toenail fungus is not likely to cause discomfort or discomfort on yellowed, thick toenails, or pain that makes it difficult to walk. While toenail fungus is common, with approximately 10% of Americans and 50% of people over 70 getting toenail fungus, it's still an unpleasant and embarrassing condition. Eichelsdorfer offers an effective high-tech treatment to eliminate toenail fungus and prevent its reappearance. Because toenail fungus (onychomycosis) isn't usually painful, many people postpone seeking treatment, says Peter Joseph, DPM, a podiatrist at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh.
While, on the other hand, many people are healthy and may think that this is an aesthetic problem, ignoring a toenail infected with fungus could have health consequences that go beyond appearances. In addition to pain and discomfort, it's crucial to treat nail fungus, as it can spread and cause permanent damage to the nail bed of the feet.
