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 will a doctor do for toenail fungus?

Surgery. Your doctor might suggest temporary removal of the nail so that he or she can apply the antifungal drug directly to the infection under the nail. Some fungal nail infections don't respond to medicines. Your doctor might suggest permanent nail removal if the infection is severe or extremely painful.

Is toenail fungus an emergency?

If you have a compromised immune system or you have diabetes, then you should seek care at an emergency room even if the symptoms appear mild. You should also do the same if your ingrown toenail is not responding to home remedies as such a situation may require surgery to resolve.

What happens if you leave a fungal nail 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.

How long does it take for toenail fungus to go away?

Usually three months of treatment cures a toenail fungal infection. Antifungal pills, however, can cause side effects. Your dermatologist will watch you closely. You'll also need to have blood tests every month to check for problems.

How to Spot and Treat Fungal Nail Infections

What kills toenail fungus instantly?

Hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can kill fungus that grows on toenails. You can directly wipe hydrogen peroxide on your infected toes or toenails with a clean cloth or cotton swab. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used in a foot soak.

What are the stages of toenail fungus?

Can you ignore toenail fungus?

Why You Should Never Ignore Toenail Fungus. If you have a case of toenail fungus, please do not ignore this problem. Serious complications can arise if you do not have the fungus treated, including foot pain, widespread infection, the loss of your nail and more.

Is toenail fungus serious?

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 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.

Do I need to see a podiatrist for toenail fungus?

If you have toenail fungus, and particularly if you have toenail fungus and diabetes, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for treatment. If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away.

Should I go to dermatologist or podiatrist for toenail 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.

When should you go to the emergency room for an infected toe?

Pain and swelling are severe. You notice signs of infection including redness, bleeding or pus coming out of the toe, or you feel hot or shivery. You have an allergic skin reaction to a home remedy. You have conditions that cause poor circulation, or you have a compromised immune system.

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.

What looks like toenail fungus but isn t?

If your fingernails or toenails are discolored, cracking, or separating from the nail bed, you may have nail psoriasis or nail fungus. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. Its symptoms can look different depending on skin tone: On light skin tones, psoriasis can appear red with scaly patches on the skin.

How hard is it to get rid of toenail fungus?

In some cases, fungus can get into the cells that make the nail, called the nail matrix. That can make the fungus very difficult to eliminate because the cells manufacturing the rest of the toenail are infected. The good news, though, is that toenail fungus typically does not lead to bigger medical problems.

Can toenail fungus get into your bloodstream?

Widespread infection.

In severe cases of cellulitis, the infection can enter the bloodstream and be deadly. “And it can all start from a simple fungal infection,” Joseph says.

How contagious is toenail fungus?

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.

Should I wear socks to bed with toenail fungus?

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 toenail fungus cause amputation?

Toenail fungus is twice as common in diabetic feet, and severe cases of it along with complications can lead to amputations.

Can you get a pedicure if you have fungus?

If you get a nail fungal infection, you may still be able to wear nail polish, but you should not wear artificial nails because it will be hard for your doctor to monitor your improvement.

Do toenails grow back after fungus?

Toenails and fingernails protect your skin, but you might lose a nail due to trauma, fungus, or other reasons. Most nails grow back, although the rate of regrowth can vary from person to person. It might take several months or a year to grow back.

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 does fungus toenails look like?

Nails with fungus might look yellow. Sometimes a white dot shows up on the nail and then gets bigger. When fungus builds up under your nail, it can loosen and even separate the nail from the bed. The fungus can also spread to the skin around your nail.

What kills toe fungus naturally?