What can happen with untreated toenail fungus?

A severe case of nail fungus can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails. And it may lead to other serious infections that spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.

What happens if you leave a fungal toenail infection untreated?

It is uncommon for an infected nail to cause severe pain or permanent disfigurement, but this does occur in some cases. If left untreated, fungal nail infections can cause difficulties with walking, exercising or manual tasks such as typing. The main symptoms of onychomycosis include the nail becoming: Brittle.

What happens if you ignore a fungal nail infection?

Sometimes untreated toenail fungus can spread to the surrounding skin on the foot. This may result in athlete's foot, a condition marked by itchy, red, cracked skin.

Can toenail fungus be life threatening?

Although fungal nail infections are not life-threatening, they're an important health problem because of their high prevalence and poor response to therapy.

Can you have toenail fungus for years?

Many people don't realize they have a nail fungus problem. Moreover, many do don't seek treatment. Still, fungal toenail infections are a common foot health problem. Such infections can persist for years without ever causing pain.

Fungal Nail Infection, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Can toenail fungus cause other health problems?

A severe case of nail fungus can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails. And it may lead to other serious infections that spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.

Should I cut off my fungus toenail?

Nail removal: If you have a severe infection or other treatments just don't work, your dermatologist may recommend removing the nail(s) to get rid of the infection.

When should I go to the doctor for toenail fungus?

Fungal nail infections can get worse over time. See your doctor if you notice your nail has turned brown or black, if it suddenly hurts, or if it pulls away from the nail bed.

What kills toenail fungus fast?

Can toe fungus go away by itself?

Fungal infections of the toenails — also known as onychomycosis — don't go away on their own, and if left untreated, the fungus will spread and can eventually destroy the nail.

What are the stages of toenail fungus?

What is the white hard stuff under my toenails?

This overgrowth is called subungual hyperkeratosis. People with hyperkeratosis may notice a white, chalky substance under the nail. When this occurs in the toenails, the pressure of shoes pushing down on the nails might cause pain.

Should I wear socks to bed with toenail fungus?

This can help whether you're the one with the infection or not. Wear clean, breathable socks to bed. If you share a bed with another person, the fungus may transfer to them via shared linens. Wearing clean socks to bed and washing sheets regularly minimizes transmission risk.

Can nail fungus spread to other parts of the body?

The greatest danger of not treating the foot or toenail fungus is that it can spread to other parts of the body, such as the hands and groin. If for some reason you can't treat your toenails or your feet right away, at least use an antifungal topical cream on the surrounding skin, Dr.

Can fungal nail infection spread?

Is toenail fungus contagious? Yes, many types of toenail fungi are quite contagious. An infected person can spread the fungus to someone else through direct contact. You can also get toenail fungus by touching an infected surface.

Can toenail fungus make your nail fall off?

Fungi can grow between your nail bed and toenail, eventually making your toenail fall off. Symptoms of a fungal toenail infection include: noticeably thicker toenails.

What is the number one cure for toenail fungus?

The best pill for toenail fungus is terbinafine. Evidence suggests it works better than the alternatives with the fewest side effects. Terbinafine results in resolution of toenail fungus 76% of the time. Common side effects may include headaches, skin rash, and vomiting.

Why is my big toenail so thick?

Toenails that grow thicker over time likely indicate a fungal infection, also known as onychomycosis. Left untreated, thick toenails can become painful. Prompt treatment can be key to curing the nail fungus. Fungal infections might be difficult to cure and may require months of treatment.

What kills toe fungus naturally?

How do Podiatrists treat fungal nail?

The podiatrist can mechanically debride or remove some of the fungal nail infection without the use of local anaesthesia. This is a pain free treatment and needs to be repeated every 2 months until regrowth of the nail is viewed or a change in treatment plan is required.

Do I need to see a podiatrist for a nail fungus?

The truth is that you can go to either a dermatologist or a podiatrist to have your nail fungus treated, but it is especially important to see a podiatrist when it affects your toenails specifically.

What causes severe toenail fungus?

Tiny, microscopic organisms called fungi (the plural of fungus) cause a fungal nail infection. Many people pick up the fungi when they have skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a fungal infection such as athlete's foot or ringworm on their hands.

Should I file down my nail fungus?

With that in mind, I generally encourage healthy adult patients with mild toenail fungus to not treat it or to treat it just using topical measures. For example, you can buff the nail down with a file to keep it thin, so the fungus has less of a home to live in. You should also keep the nail trimmed.

How do you cut thick toenails with fungus?

Why is my big toenail white?

Do you have a toenail that's turned white, or has large powder-like patches? You could have a fungal infection, most likely one called white superficial onychomycosis. If possible, see a doctor as soon as you notice it. This infection spreads across the toenail.