How To Get Rid Of Thick Fungus Toenails

Cellulitis Vs Venous Stasis

Venous stasis, or venous stasis dermatitis, is a condition commonly misdiagnosed as cellulitis.

This condition causes swelling, discoloration, and can develop into skin ulcers. It is the result of poor circulation in the lower limbs and typically affects the lower legs and ankles.

Unlike cellulitis, this condition can affect both sides of the body and is not the result of bacterial infection. However, should you develop sores or ulcers as a result of venous stasis, your risk of a skin infection will increase.

What Causes Thick Toenails How To Treat Them

Changes in our toenails can often go unnoticed or neglected. We might see them as signs of aging and let nature do its job. However, significant changes in your toenail can be alarming and unpleasant.

Your toenail may look abnormally thick, have a yellowish discoloration, redness, or swelling around the affected area. Thick toenails are your body whispering that something is not right.

Several causes result in developing thick toenails. The main cause is onychomycosis or fungal infection of the nails caused by dermatophytes . Physical trauma, Psoriasis,Lichen planus and diabetes may also cause thick nails to develop.

Traditionally, oral antifungal treatments were prescribed. However, due to various side effects of these drugs, topical treatments, and laser treatments have also proven to be effective treatments. Complete treatment of nail fungal infections may take several months hence it is advisable to get effective diagnosis and treatments at an early stage.

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What Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider About Toenail Fungus

If you have toenail fungus, you may find it helpful to ask your provider:

• What type of infection do I have?
• Do you recommend I treat it? Why or why not?
• How long will I need treatment?
• What steps can I take to stop it from coming back?
• Should I be aware of any potentially serious complications or treatment side effects?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Toenail fungus is an incredibly common infection that can be difficult to treat. The condition usually isnt painful, but it may make you feel self-conscious about how your foot looks. If it bothers you, talk to your provider about your treatment options. A trained specialist can provide guidance on whats most likely to address your concerns while protecting your overall health.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/17/2020.

References

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Can I Wear Nail Polish If I Have Toenail Fungus

You may feel tempted to cover up a discolored toenail with nail polish. If you are using a topical antifungal, you probably should not use polish. Some providers may tell you not to wear it in any case. Polish traps in moisture from the nailbed . Because fungi thrive in moist environments, wearing nail polish may make a fungal infection worse. However, the nail continues to grow with or without polish.

Causes Of Thick Toenails

There are a million reasons why this occurs but the most common is due to what is called Onychomycosis or also called a nail fungal infection.

When it comes to toenail fungus youre not alone. More than 50% of the people in your podiatrist office are sitting in there for this condition. Approximately 10% of Americans suffer from this and it goes up to 20% on Americans over 60.

Other causes of nail thickness due to trauma to the toenail is called Onychauxis. This can be caused through various things happening such as something heavy being dropped on your feet, getting stepped on, or wearing poorly fitted shoes.

When shoes are either too big or small this allows for friction which can result in irritation and thickness.

Nail thickness can also be caused by diabetes. One of the unfortunate side effects of diabetes is poor circulation, especially to lower extremities.

Since the blood flow is poor, the distribution of nutrients is inefficient and deprives the nails of what they need for growth.

Psoriasis is another condition that can cause nail thickness and is typically characterized by areas of red, raised and flaky skin that may look like scales. This disease can also result in pitting and irregular growth in the nail beds of your fingers and toes.

If your nail thickness is due to poor circulation, there are a few possibilities to increase your circulation.

The following can help blood flow to the extremities.

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Health Implications Of Thick Yellow Toenails

The majority of the time, people will just wear shoes and leave the infection untreated. This might be okay for a while and not have any effects on your health in the short term if you are healthy and young.

But people with a weaker immune system , are more susceptible to yellow toenails. Studies have shown that about one in 24 cases have seen the infection move to other parts of the body. It is normally limited to the feet but has been reported to spread to the back, hands and legs, especially in older patients even if they are not on any medication.

Nail fungus itself can cause cracks in the skin and nail which are an invitation for other types of bacteria to route their way into the body. This can be a serious problem for people suffering from more concerning health problems such as diabetes, diabetic neuropathy and more. It has even been blamed for amputations in diabetic patients.

Now this is starting to sound a little more troublesome than just being unsightly!

These are quite extreme examples but you can never be too careful. If you are ever in doubt about your overall health and fungal infections you should definitely consult your doctor.

The good news is that thick yellow toenails can be treated in a number of ways, some more effective than others which we will go through ahead.

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How To Get Rid Of Yellow Fingernails And Toenails

Now were not doctors. So, if youre concerned or have any issues you should definitely see your doctor for a consultation. They will have a much better idea of your issue and will be able to prescribe stronger treatments to eliminate the yellow nails hopefully.

But regardless of your chosen course of action, it is important to act fast. If left untreated the nail bed could retract causing it to thicken and crumble. It also leaves you fingers more prone to infection, makes your hands more noticeable , and can even start to cause a very, shall we say, unpleasant odor. All of which, are definitely No Bueno!

Here are some easy at-home treatments to get your nail game back on track. Remember it can take up to a year to completely remove some causes of yellow nails, so the sooner you get started the better.

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Have Questions And Woes About Cutting Stubborn Fungal Toenails

Trimming toenails is not something most people tend to put a lot of thought into.

Although some of us should probably do it a bit more often, the act itself becomes pretty habitual. Snip, snip, done.

However, once a fungal toenail infection enters the picture, things can become a bit more difficult. Nails can grow thick, brittle, crumbly, and generally unwieldy. It starts to feel less like the classic way of trimming your toenails and more like hacking your way through a dense rainforest.

So what should you do when it comes to cutting thick fungal toenails to ensure a better experience? Were here to offer some advice.

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What Is The Outcome For Someone Who Has Nail Fungus

With treatment, many people can get rid of nail fungus. Even when the fungus clears, your nail may look unhealthy until the infected nail grows out. A fingernail grows out in 4 to 6 months and a toenail in 12 to 18 months.

To clear the fungus, its important to:

• Use the treatment exactly as prescribed

• Apply the medicine for as long as prescribed

• Keep all follow-up appointments with your dermatologist

Nail fungus can be stubborn. If you had a severe infection, its possible to clear the infection. A healthy looking nail, however, may be unrealistic, but you can expect the nail to look better and feel more comfortable.

Even with clearing, nail fungus can return. Youll find steps to reduce your risk in Tips: 12 ways to prevent another nail infection.

ImageGetty Images

ReferenceGold LFS and Rosen T. Onychomycosis: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. Dermatology News . March 2016:2-15.

Causes Of Keratin Build Up Under Toenails

The matrix is a part of nail bed which is not visible as it lies beneath the nail fold.

There are several causes that may lead to excess of keratin under the toe nail. One of the main causes is fungal infection in toe nail. Nail fungus destroys the keratin present in nail. Thus debris of keratin forms under the nail. Since the process is gradual and it does not cause pain, patient may not detect it until the nail becomes discolored or get separated from the nail bed.

Trauma to the toe nail or certain health conditions such as lichen planus, thyroid disease, side effects of medicines and chemical contact all can result in nail damage and subsequently a buildup of keratin beneath the nail. Usually, keratin debris develops only in one toe nail but sometimes more than one toenail is affected.

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Treatments For Yellow Toenails

In most cases, yellow toenails are treatable. There are some medications and home remedies that might help cure yellow toenails or help lighten the yellow color. What treatment your doctor recommends will depend on whats causing the yellow nails.

For example, if your yellow toenails are being caused by a fungal infection, youll need antifungal medication to treat it. One of the most common prescription antifungal medications is ciclopirox 8 percent solution, which is applied to the nails like nail polish.

Other medications that can help cure yellow toenails include applying vitamin E, zinc, and a topical corticosteroid with Vitamin D-3.

What To Do When You Have Fungus On Your Toenails

It looks like every one of us has a few wise advices to provide tips about to how to get rid of a toe nail fungus.

If you think that you are affected by bad toenail fungus, it is better for you to consult a physician as soon as possible.

Treatment of fungal toenail infection involves medications and help to remove the affected nail. In fact, in most of the cases, treating of a nail fungus starts with antifungal medicines.

Therefore, any delay and negligence on your part can increase the problem to a great extent.

If the infection is not severe and has just started, there are a few ways that can make the process of getting rid of the nail fungus, easier.

Some of them are:

1- Foot hygiene

Proper foot hygiene along with wearing proper fitting footwear is one of the best ways to stop the problem.

At times ill-fitting footwear or unclean toe nails also give birth to certain infections. Thus, it is advisable to keep the toe nails trimmed and footwear intact so as to allow proper passage of air.

2- Epsom salt

Some other ways to eliminate this trouble include dipping and soaking of foot in warm water consisting of Epsom salt.

After the foot is soaked, the affected area can be rubbed in order to turn the skin harder for avoiding further infection development.

After drying the foot one can apply anti-bacterial cream for maintaining the hygiene level of the skin.

3- Using bandage

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How To Get Rid Of Ingrown Toenails Permanently

Ingrown toenails can be a nightmare for those affected. A seemingly innocuous problem, they can cause you undue pain and discomfort besides making your feet look unsightly. When you have ingrown toenails, your nails begin to grow into the skin instead of over it.

Thankfully, it is possible to get rid of ingrown toenails permanently with the right combination of care and treatments. Whats even better is that many of these remedies are quick and easy to administer and can be done comfortably at home or anywhere on the go without the need for prescriptions or specialist help.

Whats most important when it comes to ingrown toenails is tending to the problem as soon as possible to prevent things from getting worse or letting an infection spread further. Here are some pointers to help you diagnose and treat the problem with the best treatments for ingrown toenails and home remedies that will help you get rid of ingrown toenails for good.

Take Quick Action To Root Out Foot Fungus

The more developed a fungal infection becomes, the more challenging it becomes to completely eliminate it from your system. Toenail fungus can get stubborn, so its best to begin treatment as soon as you start to notice symptoms. Dont wait for your toenail fungus to develop out of control.

While over-the-counter treatments for foot fungus are available, you might not see effective results over time and may face a recurrence of your symptoms. Dr. Ike recommends that you come into the office for tailored individual care in order to completely root out your fungal infection.

We offer cutting-edge treatment options such as:

• The PinPointe FootLaser system, providing safe and effective laser energy to destroy fungus and restore your toenails
• Oral or topical antifungal medications and creams to target the infection
• Medicated nail polish

To get started treating your toenail fungus as soon as possible, contact Town Center Foot & Ankle right away. You can schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Ike by or by using our online tool to request an appointment.

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Why Our Toenails Thicken As We Age

Many of our podiatry patients remark on how thick their toenails become as they enter middle age. Their toenails become notably tougher to trim, which makes the possibility of cuts to the skin around the nails a real possibility. Thickened toenails also splinter easily.

Toenails thicken due to aging, but other factors may also be at play.

Unfortunately, thickening toenails are a by-product of aging, in most cases. As we age, our toenails – and fingernails – slow their growth rate, and the nails thicken because the nail cells, called onychocytes, sort of pile up. Fingernails appear to thicken less, probably because we tend to them more often with filing and buffing, which thins them.

But in addition to this natural thickening of the nails, other factors may be at play also. Among them are trauma, fungal infections, and impaired circulation. Feet are under constant stress from falling objects, stubbing injuries, poor foowear, closed-in footwear, and athletic activities. All of these conditions can alter the cells from which the nails grow, and if one tends to stub or injure the same toe, the nail plate can easily become thickened or disfigured.

Tea Tree Essential Oils:

One of the best home remedies to get rid of thick toenails could be tea tree essential oils. This is a natural disinfectant possessing anti-bacterial and fungicidal properties, that is required for the treatments of toenails fungus. Tea tree oil can be mixed with orange oil and grape seed or olive oil and then by using cotton balls, you can press it firmly on the affected toenail and allow it to dry naturally. You can also alternatively mix the tea tree essential oil with water and soak your feet in this mixture for some times. You must do this at least twice a day to see best results.

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How Do Dermatologists Treat A Fungal Nail Infection

Treatment usually begins with your dermatologist trimming your infected nail, 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.

To completely get rid of the infection, most people also need one or more of the following treatments:

Medicine you apply to the nail: If you have a mild infection, a medicine that you apply to your nails may get rid of the infection. This treatment helps keep new fungus out while the nails grow. Fingernails typically grow out in four to six months. Toenails take longer, usually takes 12 to 18 months.

Probably the most difficult part of this treatment is remembering to use it as often as prescribed. Some treatments must be applied every day. Others you apply once a week. To get the best results, its essential that you apply these medicines exactly as directed.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the following medicines that you apply to the nail to treat nail fungus:

• Amorolfine

• Efinaconazole

• Tavaborole

Side effects from these medicines are generally mild. Possible side effects include redness and swelling, an ingrown toenail, and stinging or burning when you apply the medicine. In clinical trials, none of these side effects caused patients to stop using the treatment.

The FDA has approved the following systemic medicines to treat nail fungus:

• Fluconazole

• Itraconazole

• Terbinafine