Toenail Fungus Symptoms
Everyone wants great looking toenails, especially in the summer when sandals or no foot ware is a norm. But this can be a problem if you suffer from toenail fungus. To help keep your nails healthy and enjoy your summer, here are a few signs to look out for.
When a nail becomes infected, you will be able to see some discoloration, usually yellow or brown in color. The nail will also become thick and quickly overgrown. In addition to this the nail will become fragile as the fungus starts to break down the proteins in your nail which result in certain chemicals being released that damage the healthy tissues of your nail. Furthermore, as a result of this you may notice a foul smell emitting from gunk under the nail. If you see any of these signs, it is important to get prompt treatment for them. Otherwise, what can result is the nail falling off or becoming so thick and painful that even wearing shoes is hard.
You will also notice that fungal infections are more common on the big toe. So much in fact that most often that will be the only toe affected, and if not, it will most likely be the first nail in the series that falls off. What your doctor will typically do is take a sample of the tissue on your nail and have it tested to find out if it is in fact a fungal infection or some other type of infection. But if you are uncomfortable going to your regular doctor about this issue, both podiatrists and dermatologist are fully qualified to diagnoses and treat your toenail fungal problems.
However, the problems that often come up are an inaccurate self diagnosis, and long periods of time before it is even noticed. Often times a toenail fungus is mistaken for athlete’s foot. And although they are closely related, the treatments for each are very different. Your doctor or foot care specialist can rightly determine the difference either by site or by taking samples of the tissue. But what happens when you have had it for a long time and never noticed?
One of the main issues with toenail fungus infections is that they can go unnoticed for several months. The infection simply sits on the bed of the nail waiting for the right conditions to break out. So in order to keep this from happening, there are a few great preventative steps you can take.
• Always wear something on your feet when in public areas like showers, locker rooms, and some pool areas. Paying particular attention to any areas that are very warm and moist is the key.
• Never use anyone else’s nail clippers, even going so far as to bring your own to your pedicure appointment.
• Try to always wear clean, dry, 100% cotton socks, preferably white. This will keep your feet from being moist and building up the conditions that fungus love.
• Wear wide toed shoes to give your toes the breathing room they need.