The Connection Between Fungal Infections and Toenail Removal: Symptoms Explained

Is your toenail becoming thick and developing white or yellow spots? If yes, your nail might be infected with fungus. Fungal nail infections are common. It is caused by the fungal organisms that infect the nails through cuts, breaks, or through the skin. It is very contagious. However, you can treat them at home once you learn to recognize your symptoms. Learn about nail fungal infection symptoms and home treatment options in this article. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.

 

Causes

Nail fungus occurs when tiny, microscopic organisms (fungi) affect your nails and cause fungal infection. The most common type of fungus that causes this infection is dermatophyte. It is caused when you pick up the fungi from skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a fungal infection like an athlete’s foot or ringworm on their hands. You can get this infection when you walk barefoot in a warm, moist area such as a pool deck or locker room because fungus can survive in warm, moist areas.

You can also get a fungal nail infection by sharing an infected nail clipper or towel. You can also get it if your nails are often moist, or you wear sweaty socks and shoes. The fungi usually infect your nail from a small cut in the skin surrounding the nail, a crack in your nail, or from the separation between the nail and finger. These areas can provide fungi with a warm, moist place to grow. And the infection spread to other nails and even your skin.

 

Symptoms

If you get a nail fungal infection, you will notice one or more of these symptoms in your nails, including:

  • Nail color may turn white, yellow, brown, or another color. At first, you may just notice a spot of discoloration at the tip of your nail. Over time it spreads and covers the whole nail.
  • Your nail starts to lift, so it’s no longer attached to your finger or toe.
  • Debris accumulates under your nails.
  • When the nail turns white, the surface of the nail becomes thin, dry, or powdery. It can easily come off when you scrape the nail.
  • Nails that turn yellow or brown often affect all other fingernails.
  • Cracks or breaks in one or more spots.

Toenail fungal infection is more common than fingernail infection.

 

OTC and home remedies

Toenail fungus doesn’t always need treatment because it gets better with self-care and nonprescription over the counter (OTC) to clear up the infection. If this doesn’t improve your condition, then you should talk with your doctor to get treatment. Treatment focuses on improving the symptoms and removing the type of fungus that’s infecting your toenail. It can take months to provide results. And sometimes after the nail condition gets better, repeated infections are common.

 

OTC products

You can buy either antifungal drugs that are taken orally or applied to the nail with or without a prescription.

  1. Oral antifungal medications:

You can buy them from a drugstore and your doctor may prescribe them. It can help you grow new nails free of infection and gradually remove the infected part. You need to take the medicine daily for 6 to 12 weeks (about 3 months). But you won’t see any changes in your treatment until your nail grows back fully. It may sometimes take 4 months or longer to eliminate an infection. Treatment success rates decrease if you’re older than 65. However, these medicines can cause side effects like rash or liver damage. Or it might interfere with other prescription drugs. That’s why when you take these medicines make sure you undergo occasional blood tests to check your liver. That’s why these oral antifungal medicines are not recommended for people who have congestive heart failure or take medicines for liver disease.

 

  1. Oral antifungal cream:

Your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream to apply to your nail. It works similarly to oral medicine. You can rub on your infected nails after soaking them because they work better if your nails are thin. To thin the nails, you can apply a nonprescription lotion to the area. These medications work effectively when paired with oral medications. Keep in mind that it also causes side effects such as rashes.

 

  1. Home remedies:

Some of the home remedies can also be helpful in making your nails thin and allowing antifungal medications or creams to remove the fungus from the nail completely. It includes:

  • Tea tree oil: This oil is extracted from a tree in Australia. It is immensely popular in treating many conditions, including foot fungus. Research shows that it works well with clotrimazole, which is found in many OTC treatments.
  • Mentholated Cream: It is used to treat chest colds. There’s not a lot of proof it works for fungal infection. But one small study of 18 people says that it is helpful.
  • Snakeroot Extract: This is an extract removed from a plant and used as a natural remedy for fungal infections. It works almost similar to ciclopirox, a medicine that treats skin infections caused by a fungus.
  • Baking soda: In the lab, plain old sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) can reduce the growth of the common types of fungi that cause skin and nail infections. So, keep a box of baking soda in your pantry.
  • Ozonized Sunflower oil: Sunflower oil can work as a natural remedy against yeasts that cause foot fungus. However, more research is needed to see its side effects.
  • Eucalyptus oil: This plant not only provides a good scent but also works on toenail fungus. Researchers find it may work well as treatments you get from the doctor.

 

When to see a doctor?

In rare cases, nail fungal infection can cause an infection called cellulitis, which can be dangerous if left untreated. Most nail fungal infections can be treated at home. You should see a doctor if you have:

  • Symptoms do not get better with home treatment.
  • Circulation problems.
  • Redness, pain, or pus near your toenail.
  • A weakened immune system.

 

 

Nail fungal infection is a quite common infection condition that affects nail shape and structure. It is a very contagious infection that spreads through skin-to-skin contact and warm and moist areas like bathrooms, gym locker rooms, pool deck, etc. Nail fungal infection causes many symptoms which are easily noticeable and treatable. You can treat your nail fungal infection at home with OTC and home remedies. In rare cases, you need professional medical help.

 

If your toenail fungal infection is not getting better, visit our podiatry clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!!

Doral Health & Wellness employs Podiatrists with extensive education and expertise. Trauma to the tendons, muscles, and bones of the foot is quite common, as are infections secondary to systemic diseases. It’s not a promising idea to put off seeing Foot Doctor Brooklyn until you’re in a lot of pain. Our address is 1797 Pitkin Avenue, New York, NY 11212. To make an appointment, please call +1-347-384-5690 or send an email to info@doralhw.org.