About Toenail Fungus & Getting It Treated
Are you concerned about how thick your toenails are? It is possible that you have nail fungus, and there are a few different ways that a specialist can treat and get rid of it. Find out in this article what you should know about toenails that are infected with fungus.
What Leads to Toenails Becoming Infected with Fungus?
Toenail fungus is a condition that is contagious. If you are in the habit of wearing other people's shoes, you may want to stop doing it. Wearing the shoes of an infected individual may have led to you getting the condition as well. Even walking without shoes on a floor that an infected individual walked on barefoot can lead to you getting toenail fungus.
You can also get toenail fungus by it entering through a cut nail, such as the area of your nail that is connected to body tissue. The fungus may have started as a small infection without your knowledge, as nail thickening happens only after having the infection for a while. You may also notice that your toenails are discolored if you have toenail fungus.
How Can a Specialist Get Rid of Toenail Fungus?
While your toenail fungus is being treated, a specialist will likely recommend that you allow your feet to get a lot of air. You don't want your feet to sweat from a lack of air, because it can aid in the fungus infection becoming worse. The specialist will either prescribe a topical fungus cream to treat the condition, or may opt for giving you pills.
A specialist may have to perform surgery to get rid of the toenail fungus, but only if it is severe. Basically, the toenails that are infected with fungus will get an injection of anesthesia so you won't feel any pain during the surgical procedure. The specialist will then have to remove a portion of the skin around the infected toenails so they can be lifted up. He or she will then use tools to remove fungus, as well as apply fungus medication. After surgery, you must make sure only clean socks and shoes are worn to prevent the infection from coming back.
It can be embarrassing walking around barefoot or wearing sandals with thick and discolored toenails exposed. Don't delay calling a specialist to make an appointment, so he or she can diagnose and get rid of your toenail fungus infection!
Contact a clinic like Oregon Foot Clinic to learn more.
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