Fungal nail infections typically don't go away on their own, and the best treatment is usually prescription antifungal pills taken by mouth. In severe cases, a healthcare professional might remove the nail completely. It can take several months to a year for the infection to go away.
A severe case of nail fungus can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails. And it may lead to other serious infections that spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.
With treatment, many people can get rid of nail fungus. Even when the fungus clears, your nail(s) may look unhealthy until the infected nail grows out. A fingernail grows out in 4 to 6 months and a toenail in 12 to 18 months.
Fungus is already a difficult infection to get rid of, and what surprises many people is that fungus can live in your shoes for up to 20 months.
If toenail fungus is left untreated, it can spread to the surrounding skin on the foot, causing another condition known as athlete's foot. An athlete's foot is a condition resulting in itchy, red, and cracked skin, which can become very uncomfortable.
As the infection progresses, nails will often become thickened, crumbly and malformed. Although the fungus affects the appearance of the nails, it actually lives on the layer directly beneath the toenail. That's why it's so difficult to treat.
If the treatment is working, you should see a new healthy nail start to grow from the base of nail over the course of a few months. The old infected nail should begin to grow out and can be gradually clipped away. Antifungal treatments are thought to be effective in treating about 60 to 80% of fungal nail infections.
a permanent loss of the affected nail. discoloration of the infected nail. the spread of infection to other areas of the body and possibly the bloodstream. the development of a bacterial skin infection called cellulitis.
If left completely untreated, your stubborn fungal skin infection may cause some or the other kind of permanent damage and in some cases your fungal infection may eventually lead to death.
Damp socks and shoes and warm, humid conditions favor the organisms' growth. Athlete's foot is contagious and can spread through contact with an infected person or from contact with contaminated surfaces, such as towels, floors and shoes.
The fungus thrives in warm, moist areas. Your risk for getting athlete's foot increases if you: Wear closed shoes, especially if they are plastic-lined. Keep your feet wet for long periods.
Toenail fungus can be tough to get rid of because it can get into and in between those layers. It may also sit on top of the nail or grow underneath it. In some cases, fungus can get into the cells that make the nail, called the nail matrix.
Fungal infections are more common in places on your body that trap moisture or have a lot of friction. You're at higher risk for infection, especially severe ones, if you have poor circulation or diabetes, or if you have a weakened immune system from: HIV/AIDS. Cancer or cancer treatments.
So moisturizing your feet regularly can help. If you're prone to athlete's foot or have a history of nail fungus, Lipner recommends daily treatment with a drugstore antifungal product — it reduces your chance of recurrence threefold, she says.
Clear color. Many times, the color on the nail indicating fungus (yellow, black, brown, etc.) will begin to diminish as it grows out and dissipates. Delineation. Over time, the yellowing of the nail should be restricted to the part of the nail that's growing out, giving way to a clear nail at the base of the nail bed.
Try over-the-counter antifungual creams or a drying powder two to three times a day until the rash disappears. Keep your feet dry, especially between your toes. Go barefoot to let your feet air out as much as possible when you're home. Dry between your toes after a bath or shower.
Stress is a common issue that effects your sweat patterns that can lead to fungal-related problems in your feet.
Toenail fungus is an extremely common foot condition. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, onychomycosis occurs in 10% of the general population. That's one in every ten people! The likelihood of being diagnosed with toenail fungus increases as you get older.
If you share a bed with another person, the fungus may transfer to them via shared linens. Wearing clean socks to bed and washing sheets regularly minimizes transmission risk.
Toenail fungus is very common, especially as people start to age. Medical experts estimate that onychomycosis affects 1 in 10 people overall.
Soaking your feet and toes in a bath containing Epsom salts can help dry out fungal infections by killing fungal spores. Add 1–2 cups of Epsom salt to a footbath of warm water and soak for 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can add 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt to 2 cups of water and soak a cotton ball in it.