Toenail Fungus
Fungal problems of the toenails is an unsightly infections that
causes the nails to become yellow, thick, discolored, brittle, and
in some cases even painful. This condition is caused by
one of several possible microorganisms that thrive in warm, dark,
moist environments such as in your shoes and socks. They grow
beneath your nails in your nail bed. Is it making you squirm
just thinking about it? Feel like washing your socks and
getting new shoes? Unfortunately, it's not that easy!
It is very difficult to cure.
Signs and Symptoms
In the beginning of the infection you may not notice much of a
difference at all. As the infection spreads you may
begin to notice patches of white or yellowish-tan on your
nail. It will probably become brittle and may start to split
or break. As the infection progresses your nails will become
thicker and may grown at an angle, even becoming ingrown.
Pain may develop which can worsen with contact with your shoes.
Treatment
An evaluation of your nails with a correct diagnosis is
essential because other conditions can look like a fungal
infection. Your doctor may be able to diagnosis it by looking
at it or he may need to take a scraping of your nail and send it to
a lab for accurate identification of the fungus. Topical
medications are usually not effective in these cases because the
infection grows under the nail and topical medications simply
cannot penetrate the nail to get to the fungus underneath.
Inexpensive oral mediation is available that is very effective in
clearing these infections because it reaches the nail bed
through the blood steam. The medicine is taken for 3 months
and your liver function will need to be checked through a very
simple blood test.
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