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Toenail Fungus. Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, Prevention.

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Toe nail fungus, also known as Onychomycosis, is a fungal infection that may infect one or more of your nails. Often the result of trauma to the nail, the microscopic fungi grow and spread in the warm, moist environments socks and shoes provide. The infection often begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your nail. As the fungus spreads deeper into your nail, it may cause a discoloration, thicken, develop crumbling edges of the nail, streaks or spots down the side of the nail and, possibly, complete loss of the nail.

Accounting for about half of all nail disorders, nail fungus usually develops on nails frequently exposed to warm, moist environments, such as sweaty feet inside socks or shoes, and shower floors. It is not to be compared to athlete’s foot, which primarily affects the skin of the feet, but the two may coexists and can be the result of the same type of fungus.

Fungal infections can affect both the toenails as well as fingernails, but toenail infections are more difficult to treat because the toenail grows more slowly. Most often, it occurs on the big or small toe, but may occur on any toe. The infection may be difficult to treat and may reappear, but with medications you can clear up the fungus permanently.

Signs and Symptoms of Toenail Fungus

Thickening of the nail
Brittle, crumbling, or breakage of the nail
Distorted shape of the nail
Yellow, brown, green, or black discoloration
Debris or “toe jam” accumulated under the nail
Flat or dull, lost shine in nail
Nail may have become separate from the nail bed (onycholysis)

Causes

Fungi are microscopic organisms that flourish in warm damp environments. The most common places where the feed are public areas such as spas, swimming pools, locker rooms, or shower stalls. Athletes and people who wear tight-fitting shoes or tight hosiery prevent the feet from drying out and are at a higher risk. They can invade your skin through tiny invisible cuts or through a small separation between your nail and nail bed. They can spread from one toe to another or to other parts of the body.

Risk Factors

Nail fungus affects about half of Americans by the time they reach 70. It is quite rare in children, and is more common among older adults because nails grow more slowly and thicken with aging. It also tends to affect more men than women and those with a family history of this infection.

However, there are factors that can increase your risk of developing nail fungus:

Smoking
Sweating profusely
Working in humid or moist environments
Wearing tight shoes, sock, or hosiery that hinder ventilation and don’t absorb perspiration
Walking barefoot in public places where you might encounter damp places, such as swimming pools, gyms, locker rooms and showers
An injury to the nail or skin surrounding the nail

Diagnosis

You may need to visit your doctor to find out if you have an infection and what toenail fungus remedy is best for you. You don’t want to wait till you lose your toenail, or until the infection spreads to other nails on your foot. Your doctor may scrape some debris from under your nail to test for fungi. The sample will be examined under a microscope and sent away for laboratory testing. Knowing the cause of your infection will help determine the best toe nail fungus cure for you.

Prevention and Treatment

Toe nail fungus is difficult to treat and reoccurrences are common. To prevent the fungus, toenail protection can help. Wear protective shoes or sandals in pubic showers, pool areas and gyms. Avoid borrowing someone else’s shoes or socks and don’t share towels or washcloths with someone who might have toenail fungus. Wash your feet regularly and dry them thoroughly when wet. Because toenail fungus likes warm, damp environments, it won’t survive if you keep your feet clean and dry.

Wear shoes that provide plenty of air and moisture exchange. Look for air-breather holes on the side, natural materials (plastic shoes do not allow air and moisture exchange) and a comfortable fit. Also, you can sprinkle in some anti-bacterial foot powder in the shoe to further prevent infection.

Choose socks that are made of pure 100% cotton, wool or silk to absorb moisture from your feet and provide good ventilation. Avoid synthetic socks such as nylon, because they don’t allow the moisture to pass away from your skin. If your feet get wet, take off your shoes and sock and clean your feet, dry them and put them in a fresh pair of clean, dry, cotton socks.

It is advised not to wear toenail polish because it can seal in fungus and further encourage it to grow. The fungus is sealed under the painted color, where the environment is dark, moist, and warm, where our fungus loves to live. Keep toenails trimmed and be sure to disinfect any pedicure tools before using them. Never share nail files or clippers.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

If you do develop toe nail fungus, pharmacies offer over-the-counter antifungal nail creams and ointments, but most of the time they aren’t very effective and reoccurrences are common.

Visiting your doctor is your best option. He or she can treat you for a permanent cure for toenail fungus. They might remove as much of the nail as possible by trimming, filing or dissolving it. Localized infections may be treated with a medicated nail polish, and serious infections will likely be treated with a prescription oral toenail fungus medication. Only in severe cases will the nail be surgically removed.

Tips to prevent toenail fungus and have healthy feet:

Wear protective footwear (such as flip-flops, aqua shoes, or sandals) when using public bathrooms, locker rooms or showers.
Wash and dry your feel thoroughly each day.
Use an antifungal spray or foot powder to absorb moisture. Cornstarch is an inexpensive option or you can buy medicated foot powders.
Wear clean, dry socks made of 100% cotton, wool or silk that provide breathing room.
Keep your toenails trimmed and free of nail polish.
Clean pedicure tools regularly and do not share them with others.
Don’t trim or pick at the skin around your nails. This gives germs access to your skin and nails.
Wash your hands after touching an infected nail - nail fungus is extremely contagious and can spread from nail to nail.