A trip to the doctor is warranted even if there is only a slight discoloration on the toenail. Discover the causes of and solutions for toenail fungus symptoms.
If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to the foot’s surroundings.
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Having a yellowed nail from toenail fungus may not seem like a big deal given the real health risks out there, such as cancer and diabetes. According to Peter Joseph, DPM, a podiatrist with Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, many people put off getting treatment for toenail fungus (onychomycosis) since it typically isn’t painful. While many people who have fungal toenails are generally healthy and may just view them as a cosmetic issue, failing to treat them could have long-term health effects. Possible side effects of a toenail fungus infection:
Foot ache. According to Dr. Joseph, a toenail infection with fungus can thicken and change its shape over time, producing pain. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, it may even make it difficult to walk when wearing shoes.
The fungus’s spread. Untreated toenail fungus can occasionally spread to the skin around the toe. Athlete’s foot, which is characterized by itchy, red, cracked skin, could occur from this. If one of your toenails is infected and you spend the entire day wearing shoes and socks, the infection can spread quickly since fungus prefers a warm, dark, moist environment, according to Joseph. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, the fungus can also travel to the vaginal area, where it manifests as jock itch, a disorder that can affect both men and women.
a widespread infection. People with diabetes and other long-term illnesses that impair immunity should be especially concerned about this side effect of toenail fungus infection. Bacteria can enter the body if a toenail fungus spreads to the epidermis and develops a crack. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, this could result in cellulitis, a condition that results in swollen, red, and painful skin and needs to be treated with antibiotics. The infection can enter the bloodstream and prove fatal in severe cellulitis instances. And it might all begin with a straightforward fungal infection, explains Joseph.
nails are lost. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, onycholysis is a disorder when fungus-infected toenails detach from the nail bed. If this occurs, the nail’s loose end needs to be taken out. If the fungus doesn’t go away with conventional therapies, it can still be necessary to remove the infected toenail even if it doesn’t become loose. In this instance, the entire nail is removed using a technique known as an avulsion. The nail can occasionally be permanently removed through a technique called a matrixectomy. “This destroys the growing center at the base of the nail, either surgically or chemically, so it won’t grow back,” claims Joseph.
Treating Toenail Fungus Symptoms
Consult a physician if you think you may have a toenail fungal infection, advises Joseph. To determine whether a fungus is present, your doctor could take a little sample from your toenail and have it examined. An oral or topical antifungal treatment may be administered if the test results are positive in order to help treat the fungus. According to Joseph, the majority of drugs are well-tolerated and have little adverse effects.
Your doctor may decide to wait and see if the damaged region of your toenail is little and does not hurt, only keeping an eye on the infected nail over time. The fungus might not get any worse, but it is not likely to go away on its own. If you don’t mind having a spot on your nail, Joseph advises that it might not need any treatment. However, a tiny amount of medication will generally take care of any cosmetic issues you may have.
