Healthy toenails are shiny, smooth, and pink; however, a fungal infection may cause the nails to become thick, brittle, discolored, as well as painful. Toenail fungus infection is also called onychomycosis, which is a common yet challenging condition to treat.
The Causes
Nail fungus infections are brought about by fungi called dermatophytes, which infect the skin underneath the nails. Yeast is also another common cause. Toenails are more susceptible to infection once your bare feet are always in contact with moist and warm surfaces and environments like public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. When you have an athlete’s foot, the infection may spread to the toes and other parts.
Wearing closed shoes like athletic shoes for a prolonged period may also cause an infection or worsen it when the shoes or socks you wear are often damp from sweat or heat. If you also wear footwear that is tight enough to put pressure on your toes, this can damage the nail bed, which makes it more vulnerable to infection. Those who suffer from chronic diseases like diabetes and other circulatory problems may also become more susceptible to infection.
The Symptoms
Toenail fungus symptoms may occur slowly over time, and these may not be unnoticeable at first. The symptoms of this infection may include discoloration of the nail tip, clouding, and darkening of the nail, thickening of the nail, distorted shape of the nail, brittle and crumbly nail, loss of nail shine, pain on the infected toes, foul smell, nail setting off the nail bed, and seeing white spots on the infected nail.
4The Preventive Measures
You can prevent nail infections by making sure that your nails are healthy. Follow these guidelines. Wash your feet and toes with soap and water and dry them well after swimming. Make sure to wear shower shoes when you are in shower rooms and other public areas. You have to wear shoes that fit right and with proper ventilation for the feet. You need to disinfect the nail clippers and other home pedicure devices. Avoid using nail polish on the infected nail, and make sure that the salon you go to adheres to proper disinfection methods for their tools. Wash your feet and keep them dry when you return home from the salon.
