A severe case of nail fungus can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails. And
it may lead to other serious infections that spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions
.
How does toenail fungus affect the body?
If a toenail fungus spreads to the skin and causes it to crack, bacteria can get in. This may cause cellulitis, a condition that produces swollen, red, tender skin
and must be treated with antibiotics, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
What medical condition is associated with toenail fungus?
In toenail fungus, the nail becomes thick and yellow and may show white spots and streaks. The condition, also called
onychomycosis
, becomes more common as you get older.
What happens if you leave toenail fungus untreated?
If you have toenail fungus and it goes untreated, you may experience:
Pain in your feet and toes due to thickened, distorted toenails
. Spread of the fungus to your skin, causing athlete's foot. Infection of the surrounding areas, causing cracked skin, and increasing bacterial spread.
Should you cut off toenail fungus?
Treatment usually begins with your dermatologist trimming your infected nail(s), cutting back each infected nail to the place where it attaches to your finger or toe
. Your dermatologist may also scrape away debris under the nail. This helps get rid of some fungus.
What kills toenail fungus fast?
These drugs are often the first choice because they clear the infection more quickly than do topical drugs. Options include
terbinafine (Lamisil) and itraconazole (Sporanox)
. These drugs help a new nail grow free of infection, slowly replacing the infected part. You typically take this type of drug for six to 12 weeks.
What is the root cause of toenail fungus?
The root cause of nail fungus are
microscopic organisms that cause an overgrowth of fungi
. This can occur in, under, or on the nail. Your toenails more often develop fungus because they are usually inside your shoes, where the warm environment allows fungi to thrive.
What is the white hard stuff under my toenails?
Nail psoriasis sometimes causes too much keratin to grow under the nail. This overgrowth is called
subungual hyperkeratosis
. People with hyperkeratosis may notice a white, chalky substance under the nail. When this occurs in the toenails, the pressure of shoes pushing down on the nails might cause pain.
What are the stages of toenail fungus?
Color changes—More pronounced discoloration will occur with nails becoming brown, gray, or a deeper yellow. Pronounced ridges—Raised ridges run across the nail. Nail thickening—More severe thickening of the nails will occur. Scaly looking skin—Skin near the nail will take on a scaly appearance.
Can nail fungus affect joints?
The fungus can affect bone or joint tissue
. One or more joints can be affected, most often the large, weight-bearing joints, such as the knees.
Why won't my toenail fungus go away?
Toenail fungus can be tough to get rid of because
it can get into and in between those layers
. It may also sit on top of the nail or grow underneath it. In some cases, fungus can get into the cells that make the nail, called the nail matrix.
Why is my big toenail so thick?
Toenails that have grown thicker over time
likely indicate a fungal infection, also known as onychomycosis
. Left untreated, thick toenails can become painful. Prompt treatment is key to curing the nail fungus. Fungal infections can be difficult to cure and may require months of treatment.
Can toenail fungus affect your liver?
They can cause rare but dangerous side effects, including heart and liver failure
. You may need testing every 4 to 6 weeks to check for liver, kidney, or heart damage, depending on the antifungal pills you use. Sometimes the infection can return after treatment.
Can toenail fungus be life threatening?
Although fungal nail infections are
not life-threatening
, they're an important health problem because of their high prevalence and poor response to therapy.
How do I know if my toenail fungus is dying?
- Nail color changes. If your nail turns white and chalky or yellow, it's not a good sign. …
- Nail position changes. If your nail starts to curl downward or upward, it's time to be concerned. …
- Nail texture changes. …
- Nail smell changes. …
- Nail sensation changes.
How do Podiatrists treat toenail fungus?
Podiatrists will treat toenail fungus by
using topical creams, removing part of the nail, and or using more modern methods like laser therapy to eliminate the infection
.
Do toenails grow back after fungus?
If the infection is deep and you've had it for a while, your doctor may want to remove all or part of your nail.
A new nail usually grows back, but it might take a year or so
. While it's coming back, your doctor will likely give you a cream or other treatment to put on your nail bed to keep fungus away.
Can I put tea tree oil directly on my toenail?
It is an essential oil traditionally used as an antibacterial and antifungal treatment. Early research shows that it may help with nail fungus when used topically. However, more research is needed. If you do use tea tree oil for toenail fungus,
only use it topically
.
What is the number one cure for toenail fungus?
Lamisil Terbinafine Antifungal Cream
treats fungus all over the body, including athlete's foot, making it the best overall choice.
What is the fastest home remedy for toenail fungus?
Tea tree oil
is a popular home remedy for many skin infections, including fungal infections. Dab a few drops of the oil onto your toenails twice a day, or mix a few drops of oil with some water and soak your entire foot. You can buy over-the-counter urea paste to dissolve the infected portion of the toenail.
How do you get rid of toenail fungus in 10 minutes?
How can I make my toenails healthy again?
- Daily Cleansing. …
- Moisturize. …
- Frequent Trimming. …
- Filing. …
- Toenail Friendly Diet. …
- Wearing Proper Shoes and Socks. …
- Occasional Massage. …
- Treat Yourself To Foot Soaks.
Do probiotics help with nail fungus?
Studies are continuing in regard to toenail fungus which is the same fungus responsible for “athlete's foot” infections. Taking a proper Probiotic for a 2-3 month period will help “reset” your gut/immune system and allow your own body to fight the fungal infection without the use of drugs or topical medications.
What is toe Jam?
Toe jam is
a nonmedical, umbrella term that refers to the smelly gunk which can accumulate between toes
. When feet are sweaty or not washed often, toe jam may be more likely to result. Luckily, this condition is usually not serious, and responds well to lifestyle changes.
Can toenail fungus spread through bed sheets?
If you share a bed with another person, the fungus may transfer to them via shared linens
. Wearing clean socks to bed and washing sheets regularly minimizes transmission risk.
Does toenail fungus cause pain?
A severe case of nail fungus can be painful
and may cause permanent damage to your nails. And it may lead to other serious infections that spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.
