A fungal infection of the toenail is commonly referred to as toenail fungus. Exposure to damp environments such as sweaty shoes or shower floors can make the toenails susceptible to developing a fungal infection.
Some yeasts and molds can also cause toenail fungus. Fingernails can also become infected with a fungus, but toenails more commonly develop fungal infections since they often have prolonged exposure to moist, warm environments inside socks and shoes.
Toenail fungus often starts out as a small yellow or white spot under the tip of the toenail. If this condition worsens, the whole nail can be affected. The nail can become thickened and yellow.
Yellowing and thickening of the infected toenail are not the only symptoms of a toenail fungus. The infected toenail may also become brittle, ragged, dull, and distorted in shape.
A severe toenail fungus infection can cause the toenail to separate from the nail bed. This separation from the nail bed is called onycholysis. Toe pain and a foul odor can also be caused by severe toenail fungus.
If the person with a toenail infection Uses nail polish to hide a toenail fungus, the infection can worsen. To prevent toenail fungus, people should avoid walking barefoot in public places. Picking the skin around toenails can make them prone to fungal infection.
Using antifungal spray or powder and wearing socks that prevent moisture from being trapped against the skin can help prevent toenail fungus. It is recommended that toenails be kept short and clean to prevent fungal infections. The toenail should not be trimmed to short, or it can turn into an ingrown toenail.
Treatment for toenail fungus can be difficult. Even if the treatment clears the fungal infection, the toenail fungus can recur.
Oral antifungal medication than is prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of toenail fungus is considered by far the most effective treatment. The oral antifungal medication must be taken for six to twelve weeks. The person with toenail fungus may not see complete improvement until a new nail as grown in since the oral medication allows healthy nail growth but does not necessarily improve the condition of the damaged nail.
Over-the-counter toenail fungus medication is not very effective. The creams and ointments sold over the counter to treat toenail fungus are limited since they can only treat the fungal infection externally.
Home remedies for toenail fungus have the same limitation as the over-the-counter toenail fungus medication in that they can only attempt to cure the fungal infection externally. Perhaps the most common home remedy for toenail fungus is soaking the feet in apple cider vinegar. The use of home remedies in conjunction with prescribed medication is common.
Some yeasts and molds can also cause toenail fungus. Fingernails can also become infected with a fungus, but toenails more commonly develop fungal infections since they often have prolonged exposure to moist, warm environments inside socks and shoes.
Toenail fungus often starts out as a small yellow or white spot under the tip of the toenail. If this condition worsens, the whole nail can be affected. The nail can become thickened and yellow.
Yellowing and thickening of the infected toenail are not the only symptoms of a toenail fungus. The infected toenail may also become brittle, ragged, dull, and distorted in shape.
A severe toenail fungus infection can cause the toenail to separate from the nail bed. This separation from the nail bed is called onycholysis. Toe pain and a foul odor can also be caused by severe toenail fungus.
If the person with a toenail infection Uses nail polish to hide a toenail fungus, the infection can worsen. To prevent toenail fungus, people should avoid walking barefoot in public places. Picking the skin around toenails can make them prone to fungal infection.
Using antifungal spray or powder and wearing socks that prevent moisture from being trapped against the skin can help prevent toenail fungus. It is recommended that toenails be kept short and clean to prevent fungal infections. The toenail should not be trimmed to short, or it can turn into an ingrown toenail.
Treatment for toenail fungus can be difficult. Even if the treatment clears the fungal infection, the toenail fungus can recur.
Oral antifungal medication than is prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of toenail fungus is considered by far the most effective treatment. The oral antifungal medication must be taken for six to twelve weeks. The person with toenail fungus may not see complete improvement until a new nail as grown in since the oral medication allows healthy nail growth but does not necessarily improve the condition of the damaged nail.
Over-the-counter toenail fungus medication is not very effective. The creams and ointments sold over the counter to treat toenail fungus are limited since they can only treat the fungal infection externally.
Home remedies for toenail fungus have the same limitation as the over-the-counter toenail fungus medication in that they can only attempt to cure the fungal infection externally. Perhaps the most common home remedy for toenail fungus is soaking the feet in apple cider vinegar. The use of home remedies in conjunction with prescribed medication is common.
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