Keeping Toenail Fungus At Bay

It is hard to eradicate an established fungal infection, but you can stop the spread and improve the appearance of your toenails.

There is no pressing health concern associated with toenail fungus. A fungal infection can ruin the appearance of your nails and cause pain by lifting the nail away from the nail bed. Infections caused by fungi are notoriously difficult to treat. If you have fungal toenails, it is best to treat them rather than cure them.

Infection of nails by fungi

Fungal infections of the toenails, also known as onychomycosis, occur when a microscopic organism invades warm, moist environments. As fungi fly through the air, they land on receptive surfaces, including your toenails, and they grow. They burrow into the skin under the nail, feeding off the nail tissues. Eventually, fungal debris accumulates under the nail bed and the nail thickens. You cannot grow a new nail from the part of the nail bed where your nail was raised off the nail bed. In spite of this, your nail will continue to grow from the base of the nail.

Fungal toenails: Diagnosis and treatment

Infections caused by fungi can masquerade as other conditions. As the nail ages, it becomes thicker and yellower. There is a possibility that skin and nails can flake due to psoriasis. The nail can be bruised as a result of injuries. It is possible for nail polish chemicals to discolor nails as well. The toenail shouldn't be gnarly and raised off the nail bed before you take action. When you notice that your nail is changing, you should see a health care professional right away.

With a lab test on scraping, you can only determine if a fungus is causing your toenail distortion. When you misdiagnose toenail fungus, you may waste time and money trying over-the-counter products that will not help.

Protecting your toenails

Here are some tips for preventing or treating fungal infections.

Wear socks that wick away sweat. Acrylic is much more effective at wicking away moisture than cotton, despite what it may seem like.
Daily use of antifungal foot powder is recommended.
Make sure that your shoes do not restrict your feet's breathing or that they do not press against your nails.
In order to avoid infection, wear sandals or flip-flops in the shower at the gym or swimming pool.

Treatments for toenail fungus

Infections caused by fungi can be treated with a variety of methods, which vary widely in terms of cost and effectiveness. In order for the antifungal drug to be effective, it must penetrate the nail and its surrounding bed in order to be effective.

A variety of over-the-counter medications. It is widely available to apply antifungal preparations on and under the nails with the same type of brush used for polish. Fungal nails can be improved with these products, but they are not an effective cure. There is no clear winner among the products.

Take steps to prevent chronic inflammation from causing damage to your body.

Chronic, low-grade inflammation has been proven to contribute to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

You can contact our office at 949-588-8833, or visit our website at https://www.ocfootdoctor.com. Our offices are in Laguna Hills, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, and Costa Mesa.

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The information contained above is intended for general reference purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professionals before starting any new treatment. Health information on this website MUST NOT be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of your doctor.