The Importance of Early Hammertoe Treatment
You don’t need to wait until your hammertoe gets worse before reaching out for help. The sooner you get treatment, the better! Read on to learn three reasons early hammertoe treatment is so important.
What Causes Toenail Fungus?
Though toenail fungus isn’t usually a serious health issue, it can be discouraging to look down at your toes and see yellowing, thickened toenails – whether it’s sandal season or not.
Typically, you can handle a minor fungal infection on your own. You can use topical creams and other home remedies to keep complications like nail loss at bay. But, toenail fungus is notoriously tough to eradicate completely, so medical care from podiatry experts might end up being necessary.
Because toenail fungus can be tricky to navigate, our team of podiatrists at 91桃色视频, PC, in New York, New York, wants you to understand what causes it in the first place and offers up some guidelines on treatment.
How does toenail fungus develop in the first place?
Fungal spores are everywhere. They love warm, damp environments, and your feet are prime breeding grounds for fungi to grow and develop. If you have any sort of crack or crevice in your nail, fungus and other germs can enter into the nail bed and a fungal nail infection— known as onychomycosis — can occur as a result.
The fungus that specifically causes nail infections can also cause athlete’s foot and ringworm, so it isn’t uncommon to have multiple infections at once.
What increases your risk for toenail fungus?
Though it’s possible for anyone to develop toenail fungus, these factors can significantly increase your risk for nail infection:
- Walking barefoot in a damp public area such as a communal shower, pool, or gym
- Wearing closed toed shoes that make your feet sweat excessively
- Having a health condition that affects your immune system or blood flow
- Being over the age of 65
- Wearing artificial nails
- Having a nail injury or skin injury around your nail
Some ways you can keep toenail fungus from developing include keeping your feet clean and dry, changing out of wet socks and shoes immediately, and always checking your feet for signs of injury or infection.
Treating toenail fungus
It’s important to always treat toenail fungus since ignoring it can lead to more serious issues such as severe pain, nail loss, and even widespread infections such as cellulitis. So, if you notice your toenails are yellowing, thickening, or crumbling, seek treatment quickly.
Common starter treatments include prescription antifungal creams and oral antibiotics. However, if these don’t seem to be effective or your infection worsens, other treatment methods may be necessary.
At 91桃色视频, PC, we use laser toenail treatment for severe fungal infections. The laser is able to protect the healthy tissues while destroying the infection that lies deep underneath the nail.
For expert podiatric care, look no further than our team at 91桃色视频, PC. To schedule an appointment with us for fungal infection evaluation and treatment, call your nearest office location or book online today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Why do my toenails turn black from running? Important information regarding causes, treatment, and p
Are black toenails slowing your enjoyment of your runs? You're not alone!
Discover what causes this common runner's issue, how to treat it, and, most importantly, how to prevent it.
5 Invaluable Benefits of Custom Orthotics for Diabetic Foot Care
In observance of American Diabetes Month, let’s talk about your feet! Specifically, how diabetes affects your feet and the five benefits of including custom orthotics in your diabetic foot care routine.
How to Prevent Chronic Instability After a Severe Ankle Sprain
One severe ankle sprain is bad enough, but when you have chronic ankle instability, you’re at risk for more sprains. Read on to learn seven strategies for preventing ankle instability and future re-sprains.
Do Bunions Require Surgery?
Bunions — those bumps that protrude from the base of your big toe — cause nothing but misery, but do they always require surgery? Not necessarily! Read on to learn about the nonsurgical and surgical options for bunions.
How to Stop Your Neuroma from Worsening
A neuroma is nothing short of painful, and if you’ve got one, you’re likely looking for ways to stop it from getting worse. Continue reading to learn five steps for managing your symptoms and what you can do when you need more relief.