Toenail Infection Causes, Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment
Have you ever noticed that your toenails look yellow, thick, brittle or crumbly? Do you feel pain, swelling or redness around your toenails? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might have a toenail infection.
Toenail infection, also known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium, is a common problem that affects millions of people around the world. It is caused by a fungus that grows under or on your nails and feeds on keratin, the protein that makes up your nails. Toenail infection can affect one or more nails and can spread from one toe to another.
Toenail infection can be more than just a cosmetic issue. It can also cause discomfort, embarrassment, difficulty walking or wearing shoes, and even serious complications such as nail loss, skin infections or blood infections. That’s why it is important to recognize the symptoms and signs of toenail infection and seek treatment as soon as possible.
In this article, we will explain what are the possible causes and risk factors of toenail infection, how to prevent it from happening or recurring, and how to treat it effectively with medical or natural methods. By following these tips, you can keep your feet healthy and happy.
How to prevent toenail infection
Prevention is always better than cure, especially when it comes to toenail infection. To prevent toenail infection from occurring or recurring, you need to take good care of your feet and nails. Here are some tips that can help you prevent toenail infection:
Keep your feet clean and dry. Wash your feet daily with soap and water and dry them thoroughly, especially between your toes. Fungus loves moist and warm environments, so avoid leaving your feet wet or sweaty for too long.
Choose the right footwear and socks. Wear shoes that fit well and allow your feet to breathe. Avoid wearing tight, narrow or pointed shoes that can squeeze your toes or cause trauma to your nails. Change your socks regularly and opt for cotton or wool socks that absorb moisture. Avoid sharing shoes or socks with others who may have toenail infection.
Trim and file your toenails properly. Cut your nails straight across and not too short. Avoid cutting or digging into the corners of your nails as this can cause ingrown nails or injuries that can invite fungus. File your nails gently to smooth any rough edges. Use clean and sterilized tools for trimming and filing your nails and do not share them with others.
Protect your feet in public places. Fungus can spread easily from person to person through direct contact or contaminated surfaces. Therefore, avoid walking barefoot in public places such as locker rooms, showers, pools or gyms. Wear flip-flops or sandals when using these facilities. Also, avoid getting pedicures at salons that do not sanitize their instruments properly.
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How to treat toenail infection
If you suspect that you have toenail infection, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will examine your nails and confirm the diagnosis by taking a nail sample for laboratory testing. Your doctor will also advise you on the best treatment option for your condition.
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The treatment of toenail infection depends on several factors such as the severity of the infection, the type of fungus involved, your medical history and your personal preferences. The available options for medical treatment include:
Oral antifungal medications. These are pills that you take by mouth for several weeks or months. They work by killing the fungus from inside your body and allowing new healthy nails to grow out. Oral antifungal medications are usually effective but they may have side effects such as liver damage, skin rash or stomach upset. Therefore, they are not suitable for everyone and require regular blood tests to monitor their safety.
Topical antifungal medications. These are creams, gels, lacquers or sprays that you apply directly on your infected nails. They work by killing the fungus on the surface of your nails and preventing its growth. Topical antifungal medications are usually safe but they may not be very effective as they may not penetrate deeply into the nail bed where the fungus resides. Therefore, they are often used in combination with oral antifungal medications or for mild cases of toenail infection.
Nail removal surgery. This is a procedure that involves removing part or all of your infected nail under local anesthesia. This allows the underlying skin to heal and reduces the chance of recurrence of the infection. Nail removal surgery is usually reserved for severe cases of toenail infection that do not respond to other treatments or cause significant pain or deformity.
Nail removal surgery. This is a procedure that involves removing part or all of your infected nail under local anesthesia. This allows the underlying skin to heal and reduces the chance of recurrence of the infection. Nail removal surgery is usually reserved for severe cases of toenail infection that do not respond to other treatments or cause significant pain or deformity.
In addition to medical treatment, you can also try some home remedies and natural alternatives for toenail infection. These methods may not be scientifically proven but they may help relieve some symptoms or speed up the healing process. Some examples of home remedies and natural alternatives for toenail infection include:
Tea tree oil. This is an essential oil that has antifungal properties. You can apply a few drops of tea tree oil diluted in olive oil on your infected nails twice a day using a cotton swab.
Apple cider vinegar. This is a natural acid that can help balance the pH level of your skin and inhibit fungal growth. You can soak your feet in a mixture of equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water for 20 minutes a day.
Baking soda. This is a common household ingredient that can help absorb moisture and neutralize odors from your feet. You can sprinkle some baking soda in your shoes or socks before wearing them.
Garlic. This is a natural antibiotic that can help fight fungal infections. You can crush some garlic cloves and apply them on your infected nails or eat them raw daily.
Oregano oil. This is another essential oil that has antifungal properties. You can apply a few drops of oregano oil diluted in olive oil on your infected nails twice a day using a cotton swab.
Conclusion
Toenail infection is a common problem that can affect anyone at any age. It is caused by a fungus that grows under or on your nails and causes them to become yellow, thick, brittle or crumbly.
Toenail infection can be more than just a cosmetic issue. It can also cause discomfort, embarrassment, difficulty walking or wearing shoes, and even serious complications such as nail loss, skin infections or blood infections.
To prevent toenail infection from happening or recurring, you need to take good care of your feet and nails by keeping them clean and dry, choosing the right footwear and socks, trimming and filing them properly, and protecting them in public places.
To treat toenail infection effectively, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible who will advise you on the best treatment option for your condition such as oral antifungal medications, topical antifungal medications or nail removal surgery.
You can also try some home remedies and natural alternatives for toenail infection such as tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, garlic or oregano oil.
Thank you for reading this article on toenail infection. We hope you found it informative and helpful.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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1. What are the complications of untreated toenail infection?
It's generally recommended to drink 8-10 glasses of water daily.
Nail loss: The infected nail may detach from the nail bed completely or partially.
Skin infections: The fungus may spread from the nail to the surrounding skin causing cellulitis (a bacterial skin infection) or erysipelas (a streptococcal skin infection).
Blood infections: The fungus may enter the bloodstream through cracks in the skin causing septicemia (a life-threatening blood poisoning) or endocarditis (an inflammation of the heart valves).
Other organ infections: The fungus may travel through the bloodstream to other organs such as lungs (causing pneumonia), bones (causing osteomyelitis), joints (causing arthritis) or brain (causing meningitis).
2. How long does it take to cure toenail infection?
The duration of treatment for toenail infection depends on several factors such as:
The severity of the infection: The more severe the infection, the longer it takes to cure it. Mild cases may take a few weeks or months, while severe cases may take a year or more.
The type of fungus involved: Different types of fungus may respond differently to treatment. Some types of fungus may be more resistant or persistent than others.
The type of treatment used: Different types of treatment may have different success rates and durations. Oral antifungal medications may take longer to work but have higher cure rates than topical antifungal medications. Nail removal surgery may offer faster results but may require repeated procedures or cause permanent nail damage.
The compliance with treatment: The outcome of treatment depends largely on how well you follow your doctor’s instructions and recommendations. You need to take your medications as prescribed, apply your topical treatments regularly, and avoid factors that can worsen or trigger your infection.
In general, it may take at least six months to a year for your toenails to grow out completely and replace the infected nails. However, some people may need longer or shorter periods of treatment depending on their individual circumstances.
3. Can I paint my nails if I have toenail infection?
Painting your nails if you have toenail infection is not a good idea for several reasons:
It can make your infection worse: Nail polish can trap moisture and dirt under your nails and create a favorable environment for fungal growth. It can also prevent your topical treatments from reaching your nails and reduce their effectiveness.
It can make your diagnosis difficult: Nail polish can mask the appearance of your nails and make it hard for your doctor to examine them and confirm the diagnosis of toenail infection. It can also interfere with the laboratory testing of your nail samples and affect the results.
It can make your treatment ineffective: Nail polish can form a barrier between your nails and your oral antifungal medications and prevent them from working properly. It can also reduce the absorption of your topical antifungal medications and lower their potency.
Therefore, it is best to avoid painting your nails if you have toenail infection until you are completely cured. If you really want to paint your nails, you should consult your doctor first and follow their advice.
4. How can I prevent toenail infection from spreading to others?
Toenail infection can spread easily from person to person through direct contact or contaminated surfaces. To prevent toenail infection from spreading to others, you should:
Avoid sharing shoes, socks, nail clippers, nail files or other personal items with others who may have toenail infection.
Disinfect your shoes, socks, nail tools or other items that may come in contact with your infected nails regularly with bleach or alcohol.
Wash your hands thoroughly after touching your infected nails or applying your treatments.
Wear shoes or sandals in public places such as locker rooms, showers, pools or gyms where fungus may be present.
Inform your doctor, podiatrist or pedicurist if you have toenail infection before getting any nail services done.
5. Can I get toenail infection from a pedicure?
Yes, you can get toenail infection from a pedicure if the salon does not follow proper hygiene and sanitation practices. Some ways that you can get toenail infection from a pedicure include:
Using unsterilized instruments that may have been used on someone else who has toenail infection.
Cutting or injuring your nails or skin during the pedicure process and exposing them to fungal spores.
Soaking your feet in a tub or basin that has not been cleaned or disinfected properly and contains fungal contamination.
Applying nail polish that has been used on someone else who has toenail infection and contains fungal spores.
Yes, you can get toenail infection from a pedicure if the salon does not follow proper hygiene and sanitation practices. Some ways that you can get toenail infection from a pedicure include:
Choose a reputable salon that follows strict hygiene and sanitation standards and uses disposable or sterilized instruments for each client.
Bring your own nail tools and polish if possible and do not share them with others.
Avoid getting pedicures if you have any cuts, wounds or infections on your feet or nails.
Inspect your feet and nails after getting a pedicure and look for any signs of toenail infection such as discoloration, thickening, brittleness or pain.