It would be good if you didn’t ignore discolored, thickened, or distorted nails. They may seem not serious but may mean a lot more when not treated. These signs may indicate a toenail fungus which may spread to other nails and become a deeper problem. Without treatment, nail fungus may cause pain and permanent nail damage. The toenail fungus Bakersfield specialist can help you treat the disease before it spreads. Here we look in detail at what a toenail fungus involves.
What is toenail fungus?
A toenail fungus usually starts as a small white or yellow spot below your nail. It occurs from certain yeasts, bacteria, and molds. The fungus gets into your nail through small cracks or breaks. It may spread and infect the surrounding nails.
How do you know you have toenail fungus?
You may have toenail fungus if you have nails that are crumbling, breaking easily, distorted, thickened, yellow or brownish, or filled with debris. Toenail fungus may break down and begin to smell foul. Pus or blood oozing from your toenail may indicate an infection. The Diabetic Foot and Wound Center provides thorough wound care services to prevent infections and complications. Visit them for a consultation if you notice an infection in your nails.
Who can get toenail fungus?
Toenail fungus may occur to anyone, however, people with sweaty feet and thickened toenails have an increased risk. You may also develop toenail fungus if you wear dirty socks, have diabetes, have skin conditions, or have a history of athlete’s foot. Walking through damper locker rooms without shoes and having a weak immune system may also increase your risk.
What are the treatment options for toenail fungus?
Health providers recommend toenail solutions to eliminate toenail fungus. However, if your fungus has spread to other nails and surrounding skin, you may need oral medications. Toenail fungus may be hard to treat if it does not give results in topical treatments such as medicated nail polish. In some cases, you might need a surgical intervention to remove and treat the fungus.
The Diabetic Foot and Wound Center may offer debridement to detach the infected nail from the underneath tissue. They may also recommend eliminating the nail to apply the antifungal medication to the affected tissue.
How can you prevent toenail fungus?
Keeping your feet clean and dry can lower your risk of toenail fungus, especially if you are prone to fungal infections. Keeping your nails short can prevent debris or bacteria from becoming trapped below your nails.
Avoiding walking barefoot in public showers or swimming pools can also prevent your chance of toenail fungus. Checking your nails and feet regularly for any changes may help stop the infection from spreading. Early medical intervention can help treat toenail fungus without affecting your daily life.
Please do not ignore colored spots on your nails. Topical solutions can stop the infection without the need for medications and other treatments. Contact Diabetic Foot and Wound Center today to schedule your consultation and learn how you can treat and prevent toenail fungus.
