Maybe you don’t think having a yellowed or thickened toenail is all that important. Or, do you believe that having athlete’s foot is easy to treat with an over-the-counter spray? But, even a minor discoloration can be a sign of toenail fungus (onychomycosis) that’s worthy of an appointment to my office since it can lead to serious problems. Let’s look at what are the symptoms of nail fungus, what are some of its complications, and how we treat it.
Symptoms
Toenail fungus is often ignored because the infection can be present for years without causing any pain. It is characterized by a progressive change in a toenail’s quality and color, which is often ugly and embarrassing. You could have nail fungus on either your finger nails or toenails, though it is most common on the toes. It begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your nail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. It can affect one or several nails. You may also notice a slightly foul smell.
It gets more complicated
According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, over time, the nail infected with fungus can cause foot pain, making it difficult to walk when wearing shoes. It can become of particular concern especially for people with diabetes and others who have weakened immune systems.
If the infection spreads beyond the nail to the skin, which is quite possible, and causes cracking, bacteria can get in. This may cause cellulitis, a condition that produces swollen, red, tender skin and must be treated with antibiotics. In the most severe situations, if left untreated and gets into the bloodstream, it actually can turn deadly—all from a yellowed toenail.
Treatment is important
Now you can understand why it’s so important to seek medical attention sooner rather than later. I take a sample from the toenail and have it analyzed. If fungus is present, I may prescribe an oral or topical antifungal medication to help treat the fungus. Most medications have few or no side effects and are easily tolerated by patients.
Infected toenails can separate from the nail bed. If this happens, I may need to remove the loose portion of the nail. Even if an infected toenail doesn’t become loose, it may still need to be removed if the fungus doesn’t go away with traditional treatments. Temporary removal of the infected nail might be required to allow for direct application of a topical antifungal. The most extreme treatment involves the permanent removal of a chronically painful nail that has not responded to any other treatment.
When your toenails need help
You should schedule an appointment when you notice any discoloration, thickening, or deformity of your toenails. The earlier you seek professional treatment, the greater your chance of getting your nails back to their clear, healthy state. We are here for all your foot care needs. You may come and see me by scheduling an appointment at