Toenail fungus, known by physicians as onychomycosis, is an annoying, painful condition that can be cured, but usually requires the attention of a medical professional because some fungi require prescription medication and can take up to six months to cure.
They can be dangerous and certainly painful if not treated.
These infections occur when microscopic fungi enter through small vesicles into the feet and then grow and spread in the warm, moist environment that exists in the environments that exist inside of a shoe.
It will affect most Americans at least once by the age of 70, but rarely affects children.
If ignored, it will not go away on its own, if it is a true fungus.
Ignoring toenail fungus will only make it worse, so it's better to seek medical attention at the first signs of a toenail fungus.
The big toe and little toe are the ones that are usually affected first.
Fingernail fungi tend to clear up quicker than toenail fungi, which is a positive, probably because they are not confined inside of a shoe for most of the day.
The problem with any nail fungus is that the fungus itself begins underneath the nail bed, requiring a treatment that will penetrate the thick layer of nail that covers the fungus itself.
Symptoms include swelling, yellowing, thickening of the nail, crumbling of the nail, chalkiness and brittleness, streaks and spots on the nail that are not usual, and sometimes complete loss of the nail if the condition is not seen by a physician.
In its early stages, some doctors simply file it off, cut off the problem or treat it topically.
Most medications are classified as anti-fungal and are prescribed by mouth, may be pricey and can also be associated with side-effects including liver damage, which has to be monitored while taking the medication.
A common medication prescribed is called Lamisil, but when this prescription is given, doctors will carefully follow the health of the patient because of the multiple side effects.
Blood levels are commonly drawn because on rare occasions, use of this medication has been known to cause such serious side effects as hepatitis, blood dyscrasis and Stevens-Johnsons Syndrome.
Another common drug that is used is caused to treat this problem is called Diflucan, but is also monitored because it does cause problems with yeast infections.
Both of them can be found inexpensively in generic form for as little as $4.
00 at places like Wal-mart and other similar pharmacies that have generic drug lists so that patients are not faced with the expense of curing such serious health issues.
Again, some of the drugs prescribed for these problems can be very expensive, so it is important to make it known to the doctor and the pharmacy that the problem needs to be cured, but that price is an issue.
One topical medication that is used and is effective in early stages is called Penlac, so it is definitely worth asking about.
If ignored, a nail fungus will not go away on its own, if it is a true fungus.
Ignoring toenail fungus will only make it worse, so it's better to seek medical attention at the first signs, which include any signs of a toenail fungus.
Causes are very common and can include being in damp areas such as showers, gyms, swimming pools and even among family members.
It is very important to not share towels, shoes, and other items that might spread the infection, even as insignificant as it may seem.
If you aren't certain that you are dealing with a toenail or fingernail infection, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
See your physician and let him be the person to decide if you need treatment or not.
The most important thing is that you are safe and your health is preserved, even for something as unseemingly important as a toenail infection.