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How Can You Tell If You Have Toenail Fungus

Treat Nail Fungus Under Nail Uk

How to tell a bruise under the toenail from toenail fungus

If youre sick and bored with having fungal infections to your nails, you may give this treatment a shot.

The home nail fungus remedy strategies may be helpful, but only if you put in the essential effort.

In addition to wearing shoes for a longer period of time, nail polish aggravates the problem even additional.

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How Do I Know If I Have Toenail Fungus

Fungal nail infections are often caused by many different microorganisms called fungi that live in the environment. These microorganisms dont typically cause a problem until we injure and break down the perfect barrier to the outside world: our skin and nails. When this happens, the small cracks in your nail or the surrounding skin can allow these fungi to enter and cause an infection.

As we mentioned, this is a common infection that goes by the name of onychomycosis. It can cause your nail to become painful, discolored yellow or brown, thick, and more likely to crack and break. They also seem irregular in appearance compared to your other nails.

Why Toenail Fungus Should Never Go Untreated

While toenail fungus is common about 10% of all Americans and 50% of people over 70 get it its still an unpleasant and embarrassing condition. Its also contagious and difficult to treat. But that doesnt mean you shouldnt avoid treating it.

In the early stages, toenail fungus will likely not cause discomfort or embarrassing yellow, thick nails or pain that can make walking difficult. And, if you seek treatment early, you can prevent it from getting worse and painful.

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What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like

Left untreated, simple conditions like ingrown toenails can lead to toenail fungus. Its important to know what toenail fungus looks like, so you can treat it in time. If you ever find yourself asking, what does toenail fungus look like? this section will help you gain a better understanding.

Toenail fungus is a form of infection that basically travels through the cracks in your nail or the cuts on your skin. It can change the color of your toenail and make it much thicker than normal. It can also be very painful to deal with. Since toes are usually kept warm and may be damp due to sweat, they act as the perfect breeding ground for fungus, allowing it to thrive in these conditions. There are different types of fungi and even yeast that can affect the different parts of your nail. When left without treatment, the fungus can spread to your skin, the other toenails, and sometimes even your fingernails!

What does toenail fungus look like, you ask? Heres your answer:

  • A change in color of your toenail, to either yellow, brown, and even white
  • Thickened and often misshapen looking toenail
  • Chalkiness / cloudiness in spots on your toenail
  • Your toenail is separated from your nail bed
  • Lots of breaks and cracks in one or multiple spots on your toenail

There are many ways toenail fungus can alter the visual appearance of your toenails. Thats why its important to know what it looks like, so you can treat it before it gets more serious.

Types Of Toenail Fungal Infections

How to Tell if You Have a Toenail Fungus

Toenail infections affect about 14 percent of the population at any given time, according to a study published in June 2014 in PloS Pathogens. The most common symptoms of a toenail fungal infection include discoloration of the nail, debris under the nail, irregularity of the white part of the nail, nail thickening, and pain, says Sheth.

Toenail fungal infections can usually be categorized into one of the following five subtypes:

Distal Subungual Onychomycosis This is the most common form of toenail fungal infection, usually occurring in the portion of the nail closer to the tip and on the underside of the nail. The nail may become thick, yellow, or brittle.

Endonyx Onychomycosis People who have endonyx onychomycosis have fungus growing between the layers of the toenails. With this type of fungus, toenails usually have a milky white color and may be pitted or split. They usually dont thicken or separate from the nail bed.

Proximal White Subungual Onychomycosis This is a relatively uncommon form of toenail fungus, seen most often in people with weakened immune systems due to conditions such as HIV. The fungus enters the toenail through the cuticle and affects the part of the nail closer to the base, turning it a whitish color.

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Who Is Most Likely To Suffer From Fungal Toenail / Discoloured Toenail

Just like all infections and diseases, certain people tend to be more at risk when it comes to contracting fungal nail infections. Youre at higher risk of contracting fungal nail infections if you:

  • Have diabetes
  • Are over 65 years of age
  • Wear artificial nails / regularly get pedicures
  • Have a disease that causes poor circulation
  • Have a nail injury
  • Swim in public swimming pools often
  • Have a skin injury around your nail
  • Wear close-toed shoes often

How Can I Tell If I Have Toenail Fungus

Fungal infections of the toenails are quite common, and are caused by microorganisms that make their way into the tiny cracks in our skin, usually around the toenails. The toes are most often the site of infection because of the favorable environment of the foot dark and damp. There are several indications or symptoms of a toenail fungus, and if you know what to look for these symptoms are very easy to spot.

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What Causes A Fungal Infection In The Feet

If your feet are damp or sweaty, fungi can take root under the nails of the toes. Common causes of toenail fungus include the dermatophyte fungus, mold, yeast, or simply athletes foot .

Additional factors can contribute to a toenail infection, such as trauma to the nail, lack of daily hygiene, and certain vascular diseases. If you regularly swim in a pool, the continual exposure to water can increase your risk of fungal exposure.

Never Ignore Toenail Fungus: Find Out The Terrible Truth About The Fungus

Does A Thick Toenail Mean I Have Fungus? Houston Podiatrist

Presented by MD Melvin Lim

The first time I had to deal with feet and nail fungus was in 1974, when I was doing practice at the Faculty of Medicine in London. They sent us to a military base in the city, a great environment for developing fungus. My God, I struggled a lot with the poor soldiers. They came to me, asking to do something, because their feet were sweating in their boots and were itching terribly…

I helped them the way I could, pulling out their nails from the root, what else could I do It’s a good thing that times have changed and nowadays, you can cure this disease without the atrocity. Back then, toenail and sole fungus was a real torment. I really appreciate the courage and patience of those boys I “treated” back then.

Of course that removing the nail cures the fungus, it’s a 100% efficient method. But can you imagine how is it to walk half a year without your toenails? Even nowadays, when you spot the fungus, many questions appear instantly. What happens if you do not treat the fungus? Do you have to pull out the nail? How should you treat it? What do you have to do to have healthy nails again?

The more you think about it, the more confused you get. With your permission. I will answer these questions. Maybe you will learn new things about fungus…

During lifetime, fungus produces toxic elements: xanthomegnin, penicilin, viomelein and other elements similar to antibiotics. These toxins, once in the body, may cause severe somatic disorders.

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Know It Need Not Be Your Only Option

As already mentioned, nail removal is usually a last resort, after other methods have failed to be effective. As such, your doctor is not likely to recommend or even mention nail removal before trying oral and topical medications, ointments, and various other treatments.

Depending on the precise issue, many people have found great success and healing using all kinds of other treatments. Because nail fungus is a very common reason for toenail removal, look at thesedifferentoptions for how to safely and effectively treat toenail fungus.

However, the more severe the case and the longer it has gone without treatment, the more likely your doctor will insist on nail removal as the only possible option.

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What Does Fungus Look Like

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Toenail fungus usually starts off as a small white or yellowish spot near the tip of the nail.

As the fungal infection spreads and goes deeper into the nail, it causes the nail to discolor and become opaque. The nail thickens and eventually crumbles at the edges.

Nail fungus varies from white to yellow and can sometimes appear brown.

Regardless of the color of your fungi, it will be sort of splotchy looking rather than one uniform color.

The progression of the color of bruising will happen in a matter of days from dark red to black, as opposed to nail fungus which starts off white or yellowish and may eventually turn brown after weeks or months.

Nail fungus will make the nail look dull as the fungus starts to separate the keratin in the nail plate and it becomes opaque.

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Complications Regarding Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungal infections are typically painless or at least start off that way. But without proper self-care and treatment, the condition can spiral into a more severe case of nail fungus, which can be painful and may cause irretrievable damage to your nails.

Moreover, the toenail infection can sprout other serious infections that can spread beyond your feet, particularly if you have a suppressed immune system due to certain medications, diabetes, or other conditions.

Because people with diabetes are already predisposed to reduced blood circulation and nerve supply in their feet, their odds for catching toenail infections as well as bacterial skin infection are quite high.

Thus, it is imperative for people with diabetes to seek professional medical help for any seemingly minor foot injury including a nail fungal infection to avoid any future complications.

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Toenail Fungus Symptoms And Risk Factors

Toenail fungus symptoms are not pretty. At first, you may notice small white spots and possibly a foul smell. As the condition worsens, your nail gets thicker, which makes it harder to trim or cut, and turns yellow or brown. Nail fungus can spread from nail to nail and, eventually, make your nails split and crumble.

In addition to older people, people with certain conditions like diabetes or psoriasis are at higher risk for developing fungus. Other risk factors include having a history of athletes foot, which is an infection between your toes, a propensity for sweaty feet, and those with a weakened immune system.

What Is Onychomycosis

Why Do I Have Toenail Fungus And How Do I Fix It?

Onychomycosis is a fungal nail infection which can affect the toenails and/or fingernails and which occurs in about 10 percent of adults in the United States.Onychomycosis more commonly affects toenails rather than fingernails.

There are several different types of fungal nail infection, depending on the kind of fungus causing the infection. Onychomycosis or infected nails are most often caused by a type of parasitic fungi called dermatophyte fungi.

Most types of onychomycosis have the same signs of infection: the infected nail usually becomes thick and discoloured. This process generally starts at the tip of the nail and progresses downwards towards the root.

As the infection progresses, the affected nail can become itchy and/or slightly painful. Infected nails may become crumbly, and it is not uncommon for part or all of the infected nail to break off. Treatment usually involves keeping the nail clean and taking a course of topical antifungal medication.

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How Do You Get It

You make yourself receptive to this kind of infection by walking barefoot in damp or wet areas such as public shower rooms and around swimming pools.

A history of athletes foot, a problem of more than ordinary foot perspiration, or prior damage to a nail may contribute to the problem. People with ongoing health conditions such as diabetes, immune-related issues, or circulatory difficulties are especially at risk.

Toenail Fungus What You Need To Know

Have you noticed a change in a toenails condition or color? Maybe its growing darker or you see white marks, or worse, maybe the toe smells bad. Maybe the nail is growing progressively thicker and harder to trim. You might even find it painful to walk in shoes.

These are all warning signs of onychomycosis, or toenail fungus, an infection caused by fungi taking hold under the nail. Some cases also involve bacterial or yeast infections.

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Warning Signs Of Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is an unsightly and embarrassing infection that is contagious and often difficult to get rid of. And while some of you may have a mild case and barely even notice the fungal growth at all, others actually suffer from intense pain as their infection grows and spreads.

When patients visit our office looking to relieve pain caused by toenail fungus, they are usually finally doing something about the infection after months or even years! of ignoring the condition and allowing it to thrive.

Waiting to seek treatment they soon find is a huge mistake!

Request an Appointment

Whenever you have an infection, you shouldnt wait to seek medical care the sooner you get the care you need, the quicker and more effective treatments will be.

Its like the old saying goes, the early bird gets the worm. And this is true when it comes to toenail fungus looking for symptoms of this pesky condition before they become a problem will help you make the most of treatment opportunities and minimize complications.

The bottom line is that the more you allow fungus to grow and spread under your nail, the more difficult it will be to actually get rid of it. So staying aware of symptoms and catching them early can really make a huge difference for your recovery.

And of course, if you want to catch it early, you need to know what to exactly look for thats why we are here!

Causes Of Nail Fungus

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With fungal nail infections, the main cause is typically

  • molds
  • dermatophyte

Certain behaviors and preexisting conditions that can affect your risk of nail fungus include:

  • old age

There are many overlaps between nail fungus and nail cancer. Since its easy to mistake cancer of the nail for a fungal infection, you should see a doctor immediately to get a definitive diagnosis.

See a doctor immediately if you suspect you have toenail fungus or subungual melanoma.

Since the prognosis of subungual melanoma gets worse the longer it takes to diagnose, its better to be safe and get any possible symptoms checked out and cleared as soon as they appear.

Fungal infections are not considered life-threatening, but the 5-year survival rate for subungual melanoma can vary dramatically depending on how early the cancer is identified. According to the Canada Dermatology Association, chances of recovery can range anywhere from 16 to 80 percent .

If you wait too long for diagnosis and treatment, theres a risk of the cancer spreading throughout the bodys organs and lymph nodes.

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Fungal Nail Infection Symptoms

Because the toes and feet are often exposed to damp, warm areas, where the infection is spread, fungal nail infections affect the toes more than the fingers. Your feet are also more likely to be exposed to fungal infections if you:

  • Spend time at swimming pools
  • Walk around a lot in locker rooms
  • Wear the same pair of damp, sweaty sneakers all the time
  • Injure your toenail

At first, you may have no outward symptoms. But over time, your nails may:

  • Have white spots appear on the surface
  • Turn white, yellow, green or brown
  • Grow thicker than normal or, in some cases, thinner than normal
  • Become brittle, with broken or jagged edges
  • Change shape, curling up or down
  • Lift off of the nail bed
  • Smell bad
  • Cause you pain

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