Toenail infections affect about 14% of adults in the United States, causing an array of unpleasant symptoms. What’s more, these infections are very contagious, spreading from one nail to another, as well as from person to person.
At Texas Foot & Ankle Specialists, PLLC, our team offers custom treatment plans designed to treat even the most stubborn toenail fungal infections, tailoring treatment plans to each person’s specific needs. If you have toenail fungus, here’s what you can do to keep it from spreading — and to get rid of it once and for all.
Toenail fungal infections happen when tiny fungal spores enter your skin through tiny openings — maybe a cut, a blister, or even a scrape. Infections can also happen when you trim your toenails or have a professional pedicure when the cutting tools aren’t properly cleaned.
Once those fungi are inside your skin, they penetrate to deeper layers of tissue where they multiply. The hard “shell” of your toenail provides extra protection that enables infections to grow rapidly — and it also makes these infections harder to treat.
In addition to poorly cleaned pedicure tools, toenail fungi can be found in lots of places — particularly damp areas shared by lots of people. Public pools and locker rooms, showers, and saunas are all potential breeding grounds for toenail fungus. The warm, moist environment inside your shoes supports fungal growth, too.
Anyone can develop toenail fungus, but these infections tend to be more common among people with specific risk factors, like:
If you’re prone to other types of infections, including athlete’s foot, your risk of developing a toenail fungal infection is also higher.
Toenail fungus spreads very easily from one person to another and even from one toenail to another toenail on the same foot. As noted earlier, once an infection occurs, it can be difficult to impossible to get rid of without medical help.
One of the most important things you can do to prevent the spread of the infection is to have it treated right away. If you notice any telltale signs, like discolored or thickened nails, misshapen nails, or nails that lift up from the nail bed surface, it’s important to seek treatment right away. Some infections can cause pain, too, especially when the toe is subjected to pressure — for instance, from a tight toebox in your shoes.
Treatment typically begins with prescription-strength topical medications or oral anti-fungal medications (or both). For very stubborn infections, we may recommend removing the nail in a simple in-office procedure to allow the medication to penetrate to the deeper layers where the fungal bodies are rooted. Prior to removing your nail, your toe will be completely numbed with a local anesthetic.
If you have an infection (or you want to avoid getting one), always wear flip-flops or shower shoes in any damp public areas, including pools, public showers, and locker rooms. Skip professional pedicures, or if you must indulge, bring your own disinfected tools.
Finally, don’t share towels, socks, or shoes with other people, and change your socks anytime they become damp. Swapping shoes every other day gives footwear a chance to completely dry out between wearings.
Fungal infections can be stubborn, but like any infection, they respond best when treated early. To learn how we can help you get rid of your fungal infection so you can flaunt your feet this summer, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Lewis and the team at TLC Medical Group in Port St. Lucie, Florida, today.
