Toenail fungal infections (onychomycosis)are acommon toenail problem.
An estimated 10% of the population is affected by nail fungus.
This article explains toenail fungus causes, symptoms, treatment, potential complications, and prevention steps.
daizuoxin / Getty Images
daizuoxin / Getty Images
Toenail Fungus Causes
Microscopic organisms cause toenail fungus.
They include:
Warning Signs
Toenail fungus is often mild and painless in the beginning.
However, as the fungus grows, you may experience pain and difficulty wearing shoes.
Often, whichtoenail fungus treatmentyou receive will depend on the severity of your infection.
Topical Treatments
Topical toenail fungus treatmentsare antifungal medicines that you apply directly to the nail.
Topical treatments keep new fungus from growing while the nail grows out.
Therefore, this treatment can take a whilesometimes upward of a year or longer.
Oral Treatments
Oral medicationsare the frontline treatment for toenail fungus because they are the most effective.
In addition, they work faster, often in just a few months.
As long as your numbers are within normal limits, the medicine is safe to take.
Researchers found that laser treatments are safe and effective.
However, they can result in some pain and bleeding.
Laser therapy may be an out-of-pocket expense for most people as it is usually not covered by insurance.
They include:
If you notice a fungal infection, make an appointment to see a healthcare provider.
Summary
Toenail fungus is resulting from microscopic organisms that get into your nail and cause an infection.
Symptoms include discolored, thickening, and brittle nails.
Remember, the sooner you begin treatment, the better your outcome.
However, there is not sufficient evidence that these treatments work.
Instead, it’s better to work with a healthcare provider to determine the best treatment.
Untreated toenail fungus can quickly become worse.
Fungal infections do not go away on their own; they continue to grow and spread.
Toenail fungus can be complicated to treat.
That’s because fungal infections are stubborn, and the treatment process is lengthy.
You must continue taking your medication and see a healthcare provider if you’re not improving.
You may need a different treatment approach.
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