What happens if toenail fungus is not treated?

If you let a nail fungus infection go for too long, several problems emerge. The infected nail can become misshapen and increasingly separated from your nail bed. Itching and pain are unpleasant side effects; if they're too severe, you can have trouble wearing shoes or walking.

What happens if you leave toenail fungus untreated?

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.

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.

Should I worry about toenail fungus?

When to See Your Doctor. Anytime you think you have a fungal nail infection, or any nail problem, and treating it at home doesn't help, see your doctor or podiatrist (foot doctor). The sooner you go, the sooner your doctor can help. Fungal nail infections can get worse over time.

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.

What is the root cause of toenail fungus?

The root cause of nail fungus are microscopic organisms that cause an overgrowth of fungi. This can occur in, under, or on the nail. Your toenails more often develop fungus because they are usually inside your shoes, where the warm environment allows fungi to thrive.

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.

How do Podiatrists treat toenail fungus?

If you recognize the symptoms of toenail fungus, you must meet with the right doctor, a podiatrist, for proper treatment. Podiatrists will treat toenail fungus by using topical creams, removing part of the nail, and or using more modern methods like laser therapy to eliminate the infection.

What looks like toenail fungus but isn t?

Conditions That May Look Like Toenail Fungus

Several health conditions can affect the appearance of your toenails and may be mistaken for toenail fungus. Psoriasis Psoriasis can cause red, scaly patches on the skin. More than half of people with skin psoriasis also have it on their nails.

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.

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.

Do toenails grow back after fungus?

Sometimes it grows back in as a healthy nail, and sometimes it grows back with the fungus. Home Remedies There are people who swear by applying Vicks VapoRub, oregano oil, or tea tree oil to the toenail daily, says Sunding.

What happens if you have toe fungus for years?

If you have toenail fungus and it goes untreated, you may experience: Pain in your feet and toes due to thickened, distorted toenails. Spread of the fungus to your skin, causing athlete's foot. Infection of the surrounding areas, causing cracked skin, and increasing bacterial spread.

Should I cut away nail fungus?

Studies show that taking antifungal pills and applying medicine to your nails can be more effective than using either treatment alone. 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.

Can toenail fungus spread to internal organs?

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.

How do you know if your toenail is infected?

Toenail infection symptoms

1. Pain with pressure on your toe.
2. The skin next to your nail being swollen, tender, or hard.
3. Redness.
4. Bleeding.
5. Skin that grows over part of your toenail.
6. A blister filled with pus (you may not notice a blister, but have large amounts of drainage coming from your toe)

What kills toenail fungus?

Options include terbinafine (Lamisil) and itraconazole (Sporanox). These drugs help a new nail grow free of infection, slowly replacing the infected part. You typically take this type of drug for six to 12 weeks. But you won't see the end result of treatment until the nail grows back completely.

Does toenail fungus ooze?

The nail can also become pitted and misshapen with grooves or ridges appearing and it could crumble and separate from the nail bed. The thickening, discolouration and irregularities are plainly visible and in some cases an infection can develop causing the skin to ooze pus.

When should you see a podiatrist for toenail fungus?

You should visit a podiatrist when you notice any discoloration, thickening, or deformity of your toenails. The earlier you seek professional treatment, the greater your chance at getting your nails to clear.

How do I know what type of toenail fungus I have?

Essentially, there are three types of fungus that can cause toenails to become infected: yeast, mold, and dermatophyte. A yeast toenail infection is usually white, a mold infection is generally a dull brown, and a dermatophyte infection is generally yellow.

How do you cut thick toenails with fungus?

How to cut toenails with fungus

1. medical-grade toenail clippers, as standard clippers may not be able to cut all the way through and can slip off the nail and cut your skin.
2. longer foot soak (20 or 30 minutes in warm water)
3. clipper disinfection using alcohol or diluted bleach.

How can I make my toenails healthy again?

10 Tips For Growing Healthy Toenails

1. Daily Cleansing. ...
2. Moisturize. ...
3. Frequent Trimming. ...
4. Filing. ...
5. Toenail Friendly Diet. ...
6. Wearing Proper Shoes and Socks. ...
7. Occasional Massage. ...
8. Treat Yourself To Foot Soaks.

Why do toenails get thick with age?

With age, there is a rapid decrease in the growth rate for both toenails and fingernails, said Dr. Richard K. Scher, head of the nail section at Weill Cornell Medical College. As a result, both kinds of nail thicken, because of the piling up of nail cells, called onychocytes.

Can nail fungus cause other health issues?

Even a mild infection like this can snowball into something more serious, like cellulitis, a severe bacterial skin infection. Another problem is that untreated fungus eventually can spread to either neighboring toenails or to the skin of your foot, causing athlete's foot.

What causes thick yellow toenails?

Thick yellow toenails are usually caused by a fungal infection called onychomycosis. This can be irritating or painful. It's less common, but the infection can affect your fingernails as well. Thick yellow toenails can be prevented by taking certain precautions.