What is toenail fungus?
Toenail fungus is an infection that penetrates your toenail, causing it to thicken, deteriorate, or crumble. Most of these infections begin as a small white or yellow spot on your toenail.
Without treatment, toenail fungus can spread to your surrounding toes, leading to nail discoloration and distortion.
What are the symptoms of toenail fungus?
You may not realize you have toenail fungus until it begins to grow and spread. The most common signs of toenail fungus include:
- White, yellow, or brown toenails
- Foul-smelling toenails
- Crumbled toenails
- Thickened nails
- Misshapen toenails
The sooner you seek treatment for toenail fungus, the higher your chances are of eliminating the condition before it spreads.
What causes toenail fungus?
Certain fungi, molds, and yeasts cause toenail fungus. While anybody can get toenail fungus, it tends to thrive in warm, moist environments. You may be at risk of developing toenail fungus if you:
- Frequently sweat
- Have diabetes
- Have a weakened immune system
- Walk around barefoot in moist areas
- Suffer a toenail injury
Many people with toenail fungus have experienced athlete’s foot, a fungal infection that typically develops between the toes.
How do podiatrists diagnose toenail fungus?
The board-certified podiatrists and ankle surgeons at Mercer Ocean Podiatry know that podiatrists often misdiagnose toenail fungus just by looking at the nails. This condition shares several symptoms with traumatic nail dystrophy, eczema, and nail psoriasis.
To ensure you receive the correct diagnosis right away, the team may take a sample of your toenail clippings for testing.
How can I treat toenail fungus?
Mercer Ocean Podiatry provides comprehensive options to effectively treat your condition once you have an official toenail fungus diagnosis. Most cases of toenail fungus respond well to topical creams and medications.
However, if your toenail fungus doesn’t subside with topical treatments, the team offers oral antifungal therapies and FDA-approved laser therapy to eliminate the infection.
You can prevent toenail fungus by taking precautions and keeping your feet dry. Avoid walking barefoot through swimming pool locker bathrooms and other moist environments. You should also wear shoes that contain material that allow your feet to breathe.
To get expert treatment for your toenail fungus, call Mercer Ocean Podiatry or schedule an appointment online today.
