You have a toenail that’s thickened, yellow, and crumbly—embarrassing! While it can be tempting to hide this unsightly toenail with nail polish or a pedicure, you’re not doing it—or yourself—any favors in the long run. Your toenail will only get worse until one day, you notice that you can’t walk without wincing or even put on your shoes without feeling a stabbing pain in your nail bed.
That is how toenail fungus develops—it sneaks up on you. What starts as a small flake or spot at the end of your nail multiplies and spreads until it covers your entire toe or foot, causing pain and embarrassment. Fortunately, though fungal nail infections can be stubborn, they’re treatable.
At Michigan Foot & Ankle Specialists, our experienced Dearborn podiatrist, Dr. Alexander Thomas, offers comprehensive care to stop toenail fungus in its tracks. Here’s what you should know about this common podiatric problem and how we can help restore your toenails’ health and appearance.
Understanding Toenail Fungus and Its Symptoms
Fungal nail infections can range from barely noticeable to severe. Though most cases of toenail fungus aren’t severe, even mild to moderate infections can cause discomfort or make you too self-conscious to show your feet. The good news is that nail fungus is treatable—and the sooner you act, the easier it is to get rid of uncomfortable, discolored, and deformed toenails.
Watch for these symptoms, which can indicate a fungal nail infection:
- Discoloration. Keep an eye out for discoloration of one or more nails. Though toenail fungus typically results in yellow or brown discoloration, it can also be milky white in color.
- Nail deformity. Toenails that gradually become deformed, begin to separate from the nail bed, or are close to coming off may be infected.
- Nail changes. Fungal infections can cause previously healthy toenails to become brittle, ragged, or crumbly.
- Foul odor. Moderate or severe fungal toenails may smell particularly unpleasant.
- Pain and discomfort. Fungal toenails can make it difficult to wear shoes or cause a constant, throbbing pain when walking.
- Skin infection. Fungal infections can spread from your toenails to the skin between your toes—and vice versa. When these infections affect the skin, they’re called ringworm or athlete’s foot.
Examining Common Causes of Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is typically caused by a fungal organism called the dermatophyte. However, in some cases, molds, yeast, and bacteria around the toenails can grow into a full-fledged fungal nail infection. These organisms thrive in damp environments, making sweaty feet a popular breeding ground. Toenail fungus can also form when fungus enters through a cut, bruise, or crack in the skin or nail, allowing it to multiply.
Home Care for Fungal Nail Infections and When to See Our Dearborn Podiatrist
Your best course of action is to start treating your fungal toenails as soon as you discover them. If you catch toenail fungus early enough, you can try treating it yourself at home. Popular home remedies include:
- Apple cider vinegar
- Vicks VapoRub
- Tea tree oil
- Olive leaf extract
- Snakeroot extract
- Baking soda and borax foot soak
- Ozonized sunflower oil
- White vinegar
- Oregano oil
- Cornmeal foot soak
Keep your toenails clean, trimmed, and buffed to stop the fungus from spreading further. Buffing the nail can also allow over-the-counter topical antifungals to penetrate more deeply, increasing their effectiveness. Clean nail care tools thoroughly before and after use and avoid sharing them with others.
Unfortunately, many at-home treatments fail to provide sufficient relief. If you notice that your toenails are getting worse, the fungal infection may have been more severe than you initially thought. Though toenail fungus isn’t usually severe, these infections can sometimes be debilitating. Don’t put off the professional care you deserve. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Thomas if you:
- Experience swelling around the nails
- Have difficulty walking or putting on shoes
- Feel severe pain under the affected toenail
- Begin bleeding
- Notice the nail beginning to separate from the nail bed
- Have diabetes, as these infections can become serious
- Have a suppressed immune system
Exploring Our Professional Treatment Options for Toenail Fungus
Our professional skin and nail care treatments are more powerful than home remedies and over-the-counter options. After examining your feet and determining the severity of your fungal nail infection, our Dearborn foot and ankle specialist may recommend any of the following interventions:
- Oral treatments. Our podiatrist may prescribe an oral antifungal or a course of antibiotics. In some cases, we may recommend that you first trim the infected part of your toenail.
- Topical treatments. Prescription topical creams and ointments are more effective than their over-the-counter counterparts. However, depending on the severity of your infection and the type of fungus responsible, you may need to use these topical medications for an extended period.
- Oral and topical treatments. A combination of oral and topical treatments is typically most effective for eliminating toenail fungus. The topical ointment treats the infection from the outside and stops the fungus from spreading while oral medications kill germs on the inside. In addition to eliminating fungal nail infections, this combination also helps prevent recurrence.