Fungal nail infection is a highly prevalent disease. It can readily affect anyone, especially those who have very poor hygiene. The main symptoms include cracked or distorted nails and noticeable nail discolouration. While it’s not a life-threatening disease, it can cause immense discomfort.
The key to managing this condition effectively is to treat the infection as soon as possible with medicines such as those found at https://www.anytimedoctor.co.uk. Like every type of fungal infection, however, it can be a bit tricky to manage or treat the condition.
To completely rid yourself of nail fungal infection, you must first understand some critical things about the disease.
Causes of nail fungal infection
Onychomycosis or nail fungus is caused by an overgrowth of fungal bodies under the nails. This type of disease is commonly observed in cities where the moisture content is too high. It can be triggered by fungal bodies that cause athlete’s foot, ringworm or other similar diseases. Nail fungus tends to be a highly contagious disease, so you must avoid borrowing the socks or shoes of infected individuals.
If you get your nails done at a salon or spa, ask the staff to disinfect the tools and equipment before using them on you.
Anyone can develop nail fungus, but some individuals have a higher risk of getting infected. Some of the risk factors of a fungal nail infection include having diabetes, old age, poor blood circulation, use of artificial nails, and compromised immune system.
It is also more prevalent in women compared to men. Older folks are more likely to develop it compared to younger ones because of poor blood circulation.
Things you need to look out for
Pay attention to early signs and symptoms such as sudden changes in the shape of your nails and the presence of yellowish or whitish build-up under the nails. You should also be wary of foul-smelling feet and cracking or crumbling nails. If you observe any of the mentioned symptoms, you should immediately get in touch with your primary healthcare provider or a podiatrist. This way, experts can assess the condition and prescribe the best medical approach to use.
How to treat toenail fungus
There is a variety of toenail fungus treatment options that you can choose from, depending on the severity of the infection. Most of the time, less severe cases only require applying topical anti-fungal cream on the affected nail. Others even use medicated nail polish to manage a simple infection.
Advanced infections would require you to ingest antifungal medication such as itraconazole and fluconazole. Your physician will set the dosage based on your condition and how long have you had the infection.
During the treatment phase, you should practice good hygiene and get rid of possible sources of fungal spores such as wet socks and damp shoes. Also, try staying away from families, friends or co-workers diagnosed with the same infection.
Toenail fungal infection causes a huge problem for many people. It’s not a fatal disease, but it can cause permanent damage to your nail and nailbed. Before your condition worsens, you should have your nails checked by a seasoned doctor. Find out what caused the infection so you can manage and get rid of it effectively.
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