Toenail fungus\u2014also called onychomycosis or tinea unguium\u2014is an infection below the surface of the nail caused by contact with different types of fungi. Nail fungus usually begins with white or yellow spots under the tip of the toenails. If left untreated, the infection can grow deeper, which can cause the nail to become weak or brittle to the point that it eventually falls off.<\/p>\n
In general, there are four types of fungal infections that affect the toes. These include:<\/p>\n
Because there are varying types and levels of severity for toenail fungus, it\u2019s important to have your condition diagnosed by a podiatric physician. If you are worried that you might be suffering from a fungal infection in your nails, perform a self-evaluation to look for the following common symptoms:<\/p>\n
Treatment isn\u2019t always necessary\u2014depending on the severity of your condition\u2014but it is recommended simply because it might be contagious. Not only can you spread the condition to someone else, but depending on the type of fungus, can also spread to infect your other toes.<\/p>\n
For mild cases of toenail fungus, your doctor will likely start with conservative treatments. These may include prescription anti-fungal oral medications or topical solutions. For patients who exhibit severe symptoms\u2014or for those who do not respond to medication\u2014the doctor may recommend nail avulsion surgery. During this procedure, the nail plate is removed and chemical treatments are introduced to treat the infection.
\nContact your podiatrist for more information or to schedule a consultation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","yoast_head":"\n