What worsens toenail fungus?

Don't go barefoot in public places The first thing to know about dermatophytes that cause toenail fungus is that they love warm, humid, and dark environments. The second thing to know is that they can be spread by indirect contact. A number of conditions can pose as fungal infections. Age alone thickens and yellows the nail.

Psoriasis can cause the nail and surrounding skin to form scales. Injuries can cause bruising under the nail. Even the chemicals in nail polish can discolor the nail. But you should not wait until the toenail is twisted and raised.

of the nail bed. You should see a healthcare professional as soon as you notice your nails changing.

Toenail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of the toenail

. As the infection deepens, nail fungus can cause the nail to discolor, thicken, and crumble at the edges.

Fungal infections are more likely to occur on toenails than fingernails, because toenails are often confined to a dark, warm, and humid environment inside shoes, where fungus can proliferate. The toes also have less blood flow than the fingers, making it harder for the body's immune system to detect and stop the infection. Fungal toenail infections are more common than fungal nail infections. And, while anyone can be a candidate for toenail fungus, it's more common in older adults. As we age, blood flow decreases, which slows nail growth.

This could cause dry, brittle nails that crack, creating an entry point for fungi. With this in mind, I generally recommend healthy adult patients with mild toenail fungus not to treat them or to treat them only with topical measures. White or yellow spots under the tips of the fingernail or toenail may be the beginning of a common condition known as fungal onychomycosis of the nails. Only a laboratory test with a scraping of the toenail can show with certainty that fungi are responsible for the distortion of the nails.

Misdiagnosing toenail fungus can cost you time and money when trying over-the-counter products that won't have any effect. Toenail fungus doesn't cause physical symptoms at first, but it can make an infected toenail look different from the others. This can make it very difficult to get rid of the fungus because the cells that make the rest of the toenail are infected.