Fungal Toenail?
Fungal toenail infections, known medically as onychomycosis, can be quite stubborn and tricky to treat. Curious how you might have ended up with one? Fungus thrives in warm, moist environments, which means changing rooms, swimming pools, and communal showers are common areas to catch a fungal nail infection. If you often walk barefoot in these places, contact with fungal spores increases.
Your shoes can also be a culprit. Wearing tight or non-breathable footwear can create an ideal environment for fungus to grow, especially if your feet sweat excessively. And believe it or not, something as simple as not drying your feet thoroughly after a shower can lead to fungal skin or nail infection.
Another often-overlooked factor is minor injuries to the nail. Small cuts or cracks in the nail or the skin surrounding it can provide an entry point for fungus. Combine this with a weakened immune system, often as a result of conditions like diabetes or circulation issues, and you’ve a chance of for a persistent fungal infection.
Wondering about preventive measures? Simple habits like wearing shower shoes in public places, keeping your feet clean and dry, and opting for breathable shoes can go a long way in protecting your toenails. Regularly trimming your nails and avoiding injuries also help reduce the risk.
What Does a fungal toenail look like?
Fungal toenails have a distinctive appearance that sets them apart from healthy nails. They often start with a small white or yellow spot under the tip of the nail. As the infection progresses, the nail may become discolored, thickened, and crumbly at the edges. Affected nails might also start to lift away from the nail bed.
The texture can change drastically, becoming rough and brittle. In advanced cases, the shape of the nail itself may become distorted. Additional symptoms can include pain or discomfort, especially when wearing shoes or walking.
It's important to note that not all discolored or thickened toenails are due to a fungal infection. Trauma, psoriasis, and other medical conditions can produce similar changes. If you're unsure, consult with us to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Over-the-counter Solutions: Are They Effective?
If you're facing the discomfort of fungal toenails, you may be wondering whether over-the-counter (OTC) solutions are truly effective. Lining the shelves of most pharmacies, these readily available products promise quick and efficient results. But do they live up to these claims?
Unfortunately, while Over the counter solutions are usually more timely and cost-effective, they often lack the potency needed to tackle more severe or stubborn infections. Also, due to their topical nature, these treatments can struggle to penetrate the dense structure of a toenail, making them less ideal for infections that have reached deeper layers.
Therefore, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional before deciding on any treatment.
Medication for fungal toenails
Oral antifungal drugs, which are usually prescription-based, offer a more potent solution. By working systemically, these pills can reach and eliminate the fungi, not just on the surface area, but also in deeper layers of your toenail.
How does my podiatrist treat a fungal toenail without medication?
In cases where medication might not be an option or you're looking for alternative treatments, podiatrists can employ various non-medicinal methods to help combat fungal toenail infections.
Debridement: This method involves the careful trimming, thinning, or filing down of the affected nail. By reducing the thickness of the infected nail, debridement can relieve pressure and discomfort while also improving the efficacy of topical treatments, should they be used alongside.
During a debridement session, your podiatrist will use specialised tools to remove as much of the infected nail as possible. Regular debridement can significantly speed up the healing process by ensuring that antifungal treatments reach deeper layers of the nail bed. Combined with consistent application of topical antifungals, this method provides a more comprehensive approach to fungal toenails.