Month: March 2022

How to Know if Toenail Fungus is Dying

There are many ways to treat toenail fungus. And when you’re already on your way to recovery, you are probably wondering how to know if toenail fungus is dying?

Toenail fungus is a common condition that will usually start as a yellow or white spot under the tip of your toenails. Once the fungus gets deeper, it will cause the nails to discolor, thicken, and eventually crumble. Thankfully, there are many ways to stop your nails from getting damaged. If the condition is only mild and does not bother you, you can leave the nails to dry and heal on their own. So, how to tell if toenail fungus is dying? Read on to find out.

Treating Toenail Fungus

Unlike the fungal infections on the skin, toenail fungus is a bit more stubborn to treat. To get rid of the toenail fungus, you may have to use antifungal medications that you can purchase over the counter. Most of these medications are effective. They work by causing new nails to grow to replace the infected nails.

Once the fungi-infected toenails have been replaced with new healthy nails, the fungal infection will disappear. But depending on the person, some nails tend to grow rather slowly. Therefore, it could take a while for the nails to grow fully, which is why many are left wondering, how to know if toenail fungus is dying?

But before the nails can grow fully, you will start to notice a few signs that they are already on their way to recovery. If you are undergoing treatment or applying some medications, this is a good sign that your treatment is truly effective. You have to continue with the treatment even when you are already on your way to recovery.

How to Know If Toenail Fungus is Dying?

In some instances, you might not be able to see sure signs that the fungal infection is already “dying.” However, you should start seeing some subtle changes in the appearance of your infected nails.

If you see improvement in the appearance of your nails, this is a good thing. But then again, do not stop the treatment right away. Even if you see some improvement, this does not mean that the fungus causing the infection is gone. Continue with the treatment according to your doctor’s recommendations.

Signs That Your Toenail Fungus Is Dying

It’s common for people with toenail fungus to ask – how to tell if toenail fungus is healing, especially those who are self-medicating. So, here are some signs that your fungal infection is already on the way to recovery.

Changes in Color

Toenail fungus can cause the toenails to change in color. Once your toenails develop the infection, you will start to notice that your nails will become yellowish. In some cases, the nails will turn brown and even black. But once the fungus begins to diminish, the discoloration of the nails will slowly dissipate. Over time, you will notice the discolored areas get smaller and smaller.

Decreased Thickness

Usually, when you ask some doctors how to know if toenail fungus is dying, they will say that it’s when the thickness of your nails starts to decrease. One of the symptoms of toenail fungal infection is that your nails will become thicker than usual. If your treatment is working, you will notice that the thickness will decrease. But do not immediately assume that the infection has fully resolved. Continue with the treatment until your toenails grow again.

Growth of New Nails

If your fungal infection responds well to treatment, a new set of nails will start growing. The new growth is healthy nails, which are meant to replace the infected nails. These nails look better compared to those nails that have become infected with fungus.

Clear Delineation Between New and Infected Nails

As your nails continue to respond well to the treatment, the new nails that will be growing will become longer and longer. They will make their way towards the top of your toenails. You will start seeing a clear line between healthy nails and older infected nails when this happens. Take that as a sign that your toenail fungus is healing, and you are on your way to recovery.

How Long Is the Toenail Fungus Treatment?

The treatment period for toenail fungus will vary, depending on some factors. Sometimes, the new nails could take up to a year to outgrow the infected nails. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, toenails will typically grow out within 12 to 18 months.

However, the appearance of your nails may start to improve in only a few months. But even when your nails start to look better, do not stop the treatment since reinfection is still possible.

Continue Treatment According to Doctor’s Recommendations

Now that you understand how to know if toenail fungus is dying, you should be able to assess if your nails are already on their way to recovery. But once you see improvement, do not stop the treatment. Even if your nails look so much better, this does not mean that your infection has already been treated. The fungus may still be thriving in the nails, and soon, your symptoms will be back again. Reinfections are highly possible with toenail fungus. So, do not stop the medication unless your doctor tells you so.

Also, when your fungal infection is already healed, practice proper hygiene to avoid getting fungal infections again. Clean your feet at all times and dry them up before putting your socks or shoes on.

Conclusion

So, how to know if toenail fungus is dying? Many signs can indicate that your toenails are already dying after undergoing treatment for some time. But if you are not sure if your nails have already been cured or not, see your doctor. Your doctor can check your toenails to see if the infections have gone away. He can also advise you if it’s already safe to stop taking antifungal medications.

Can You Scrape Out Toenail Fungus?

If you develop fungus on the toenails, your nails will look unappealing, which is why some people are tempted to scrape it. But the question is – can you scrape out toenail fungus? And is it safe to do so?

Toenail fungus is a type of fungal infection that will get into the cracks of your nails, leading to the discoloration and thickening of your nails. Sometimes it can cause some pain. Since toes are often damp and warm, fungus thrives well there. Different types of fungi strains can cause fungal infections on the nails. If left untreated, it could spread to other parts of your toes.

Removing toenail fungus can be difficult and is not often advised by doctors. If you develop toenail fungus, the nails can grow thicker, crumbly, brittle, and generally unwieldy. Since it looks very unattractive, people start to wonder, can you scrape out toenail fungus?

Scraping Thick Nails

Before you learn the proper way of scraping toenail fungus, it’s important to note that fungal infections are not the only reason your toenails have become thickened. Other conditions, such as psoriasis or diabetes, may also cause the nails to thicken. Sometimes, trauma or injury can thicken your nails. Wearing tight-fitting shoes can also lead to the thickening of your nails. Heredity is also among the reasons why your nails grow thicker.

To determine the exact reason why your nails have thickened, see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Your doctor can check if you have toenail fungus. If it is, your doctor can offer some tips about proper nail fungus removal. But if your nails have thickened due to other reasons, your doctor can advise what would be the best way to trim or cut your nails.

Keep Your Nail Trimming Equipment Separate

When scraping your thick nails, make sure to separate the trimming equipment you have used. Since it has come into contact with the fungal areas, you should avoid using the same trimmer in cutting your other nails. Otherwise, the fungus will spread and make the other nails thicken as well. As mentioned, the fungus could spread to other areas of your skin if left untreated.

Try to avoid sharing nail trimmers between family members as well. You must also not use the same trimmers for your toenails and fingernails. Because if one of you has developed a toenail fungus, there’s a chance that it will spread to others. Fungal infections are contagious and can easily spread from one person to another.

When cutting fungal toenail, use proper trimming equipment. Avoid using the smaller fingernail clippers that are only intended for fingernails. These clippers may not be strong enough to trim your thick toenails.

Even if you have toenail fungus or not, make it a habit to regularly disinfect your equipment. Soak the clippers in rubbing alcohol for a few minutes after every use. You can also soak them in diluted bleach. Just make sure to dry them completely before storage to avoid rusting. Also, make sure that all the nail debris has been cleaned off.

Consider Using Heavy Duty Equipment

Sometimes, the toenails have become so thickened and toughened by fungal infections that a standard pair of clippers may not do the work. In this case, consider using heavy-duty equipment for cutting the nails.

If the pair of nail clippers or trimmers you are using is not doing the job well, don’t force it. Scraping your toenails like this will only cause damage to the nails even more by ripping or tearing them and will make them look even more unappealing. What’s more, the clippers or trimmers can get broken.

So, how to cut toenails with fungus properly? Use a pair of toenail nippers. It’s a more suitable choice when it comes to scraping your toenail fungus. These clippers look somewhat like pliers, and you can buy them from drugstores. Also, these are sharper compared to the standard toenail clippers.

The toenail nippers are not recommended for patients who have diabetes and other conditions that could affect the ability to sense pain, blood circulation, or the ability for the feet to heal. If you want to know the safest equipment to use to scrape your toenail fungus, ask your doctor about it.

Soften Your Toenails with a Foot Soak

Can you scrape out toenail fungus? The answer will depend on the severity of your fungal infection. If you feel like the symptoms are mild and don’t feel any pain, you can consider trimming the toenails yourself. But scraping your thickened nails requires a bit of preparation to make the job safer and easier.

Consider soaking your toenails to soften them a bit. It can be as simple as taking a shower to make the toenails wet and soft enough to be more easily clipped. It’s a good idea to schedule your trimming time just after you have dried off.

A foot soak is a more effective way of making your toenails soft enough for trimming. It could be as simple as soaking your feet in warm water for 10, 20, or 30 minutes. Dry off your feet thoroughly after soaking, and then you can start to clip them. You can also add antifungal products to your foot soaks, such as Epsom salts or essential oils. These products can help kill the fungus that causes the infection on your toenails.

Take It Slow and Steady

Thickened fungal nails tend to crumble easily, so be careful when trimming them. Avoid taking off too much at once. Otherwise, the nails will split and fracture in ways you did not intend them to.

Trim only a small part of your toenails at a time, beginning at one corner and slowly moving straight along the nail. Ensure the nails are relatively straight and uniform to prevent any jagged edges from snagging against socks.

Don’t round the nails off at the corners, as this could increase the risk of ingrown toenails. Having inflamed, painful, and open skin is not something you want after already developing toenail fungus.

Is Toenail Fungus Contagious?

If you are suffering from toenail fungus, you probably find yourself wondering – is toenail fungus contagious? Yes, it is, which is why you must treat your infected toenail so as not to infect the other nails.

Toenail fungus is a common condition. That’s because many people don’t give that much attention to their toenails unless they start exhibiting symptoms of toenail fungus. Healthy toenails are shiny and smooth. But if you develop a fungal infection on your toenails, you will notice that the nails will start to brittle, thicken, and discolor. Unfortunately, this condition is contagious, which means you can pass it on to others. Also, if only one nail gets infected, there is a possibility that the other nails will get infected if you are not careful.

Causes of Toenail Fungus

Before we address the question, is toenail fungus contagious, let us first find out what are the causes behind this infection.

Usually, toenail fungus is caused by a fungus known as dermatophytes that would infect the skin under the nails. Yeast is another common culprit of toenail fungus. The toenails are especially vulnerable to infection once your bare feet get into contact with damp surfaces like swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms. If you develop an athlete’s foot, the infection will eventually spread to the nails.

Wearing closed and tight-fitting shoes for an extended period can also cause toenail fungus, especially if your socks have become damp due to sweat or heat. In addition, if your shoes fit snugly enough that it will put pressure on your toes, the nail bed will eventually get damaged, making the toenails more susceptible to fungal infection.

People suffering from chronic diseases like circulatory problems and diabetes are also at high risk of developing toenail infections.

Is Toenail Fungus Contagious?

When it comes to the question, is nail fungus contagious, the answer is yes. Toenail fungal infection can be contagious. But you will not catch it just by standing beside a person who has the infection. However, if you live in close quarters with someone who has a fungal infection, be very careful and take preventative measures to avoid getting infected.

Avoid wearing a person’s socks or shoes if you know they have toenail fungus. Also, when trimming your nails, make sure to disinfect the nail clippers, especially if the infected person has used them.

While toenail fungus infection is contagious, the chance of it spreading to others is very minimal. You can also minimize your risk of picking up the toenail fungus by wearing shower shoes when you shower, especially if you use a public shower. Also, when swimming at a public pool, try to wear something to cover your feet to lower your chances of getting infected.

Symptoms of Toenail Fungus

The symptoms of toenail fungus can develop slowly over time. In most cases, the fungus may go unnoticed at first. But if the condition is diagnosed early enough, it can be pretty easy to eradicate the fungus and save your nails from getting damaged. So, inspect your nails from time to time and be mindful of the changes.

Here are some of the symptoms of toenail fungus.

Crumbling or brittle nails

Darkening or clouding of nails

Distorted shape of the nails

Lack of shine

Nail thickening

Nails have foul odor

Pain at the tip of the toes

White spots on the nails

Yellowish discoloration of the nails

If your symptoms have gotten so severe or your toenails have started to turn black, it is best to make an appointment with your doctor instead of trying to treat the condition yourself.

Preventing Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is not necessarily dangerous. But for those who have certain illnesses like diabetes, the fungal infection can develop into more severe symptoms. Therefore, it is best to prevent toenail fungus.

Follow these tips to minimize your risk of getting toenail fungal infection.

Trim your nails properly – cut your toenails properly and make sure you use nail clippers that have been well-sanitized. Make sure to cut your nails straight across to avoid jagged edges. You can use a nail file to gently sharpen the edges of your toenails after cutting them.

Avoid tight shoes – your shoes should not be touching your toenails in any way. Otherwise, you could put yourself at high risk of getting a toenail fungal infection. Avoid wearing shoes that are too loose or too tight, and make sure they are clean and dry before putting them on.

Wear ventilated footwear – the more air that can circulate inside your shoes, the better. Wearing ventilated footwear will allow the air to circulate better. Thus, your feet will be drier and less susceptible to fungus. Your best bet is to wear shoes made from breathable materials such as canvas or leather.

Alternate your footwear – putting the same shoes from yesterday’s sweaty workout could increase your risk of getting toenail fungus. Therefore, invest in a few good pairs of shoes so that you can alternate them. Try to avoid wearing the same pair of shoes in a row, especially during sweaty workouts.

Don’t go barefoot in public places – when using public pools, showers, and locker rooms in the gym, do not go barefoot. These areas are often loaded with fungi just waiting to get into your toenails. Always bring flip-flops that you can wear when showering at the gym.

Conclusion

So, is toenail fungus contagious? Yes, toenail fungus is infectious. Therefore, if you have this condition, always exercise proper foot hygiene to avoid infecting the other people in your household. Get your infection treated immediately by using antifungal medications. There are also home remedies for treating fungal infections, such as using foot soaks made of baking soda, Vicks VapoRub, Apple Cider Vinegar, or essential oils. And if your condition has gotten so severe, stop self-medicating. Instead, see a doctor immediately. Your doctor will diagnose your symptoms and prescribe proper treatment.

What Causes Toenail Fungus?

Toenail fungus is a common condition suffered by millions of people worldwide. But not many people are aware of what causes toenail fungus. The infection is a result of fungal strains sneaking beneath your nail beds. Once the fungus grows, it will cause the nails to get darkened and brittle. Sometimes, the nails will become smelly.

While anyone can develop toenail fungus, some people are at high risk of developing this infection. As a matter of fact, factors such as genetics, gender, and overall health could affect your risk of getting a toenail fungal infection.

In case you are wondering what causes nail fungus, read the following.

Family History

A toenail fungal infection could be due to heredity. This is one of the reasons why some people are more at risk of developing this infection than others. For those infections due to heredity, the infection is often seen at an earlier age. However, the condition is usually more common in men who are more than 60 years old.

If one of your family members has a history of fungal infections, then there is a good chance that you could get it at some point in your life. So, once you start to develop any of the symptoms of toenail fungus, see your doctor right away.

Other Health Conditions

Certain chronic medical conditions could put you at risk of developing a fungal infection on the toenails. These conditions include the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), diabetes, poor circulation, and other conditions that could compromise your immune system and interfere with the healthy flow of blood in your toes.

If you are suffering from any of these health conditions, you have to take extra precautions by keeping your feet clean and dry at all times. People with diabetes should be very careful not to get a fungal infection on the toenails since it could take longer for the infection to be healed. Also, if their fungal infection is left untreated, they could suffer from more severe symptoms.

Wearing Tight Shoes

When you ask doctors what causes toenail fungus, one of their answers would be wearing tight shoes. If you are fond of wearing closed-toe shoes that are very tight, you could put yourself at a higher risk of developing the toenail fungus. This is especially true for shoes that are a bit narrow in the toe box. Frequently wearing a pair of tight shoes can cause trauma to your toenails, which can eventually weaken your toenails and make it easier for the fungus to get into the nails.

If you need to wear closed-toe shoes, opt for those shoes that provide plenty of room, allowing your toes to freely move around without being pinched. Better yet, choose shoes that will allow your feet to breathe. Alternate your closed-toe shoes with flip-flops or open-toed shoes to allow enough air to circulate and prevent fungus from thriving in your nails.

Nail Polish

Nail polish might help look your toes more presentable, but it is actually one of the causes of toenail fungal infection. Heavy-colored nail polishes could block the light into your nails, creating an environment that’s more susceptible to fungal growth. Therefore, give your toenails a break from nail polishes.

If you are getting your nails done at a salon, choose those that will properly sanitize all their tools after serving each customer. Toenail fungus is highly contagious and can be passed on to another individual through nail clippers. Also, try to schedule your appointment early in the morning so you will be the first to use the newly sanitized tools or equipment.

Public Shower Rooms

If you regularly use the public shower rooms, either at the pool or in your gym, make sure you wear flip-flops at all times. These places are the perfect breeding ground for fungus since they are wet and humid. So, try not to walk around barefoot while in these public places.

If you are swimming in a public pool, make sure you wear proper footwear. The fungus can thrive in the water, too. And if other people who have fungal infections will use the pool at the same time you are there, there’s a good chance that you could develop a fungal infection. Also, thoroughly dry your feet after swimming and showering before putting back your shoes.

Health Issue for Runners

Runners are among those people who are at high risk of developing fungal infections on the toenails. In fact, this is one of the most common health issues for runners, and it’s easy to see why. Runners tend to sweat quite a lot during a marathon. And as you know, fungus loves to thrive on damp surfaces, such as sweaty socks or shoes.

If you are a runner, avoid wearing a pair of tight running shoes. These shoes can further intensify the moist environment due to sweaty socks, creating a perfect setting for fungus to thrive in. Also, try wearing a pair of special socks made from fabric that can wick away moisture to help keep your feet dry and prevent fungal infections. It’s also a good idea to alternate the running shoes you wear and allow the shoes to dry out before you wear them again.

Frequent Wearing of Stockings

Regularly wearing a pair of stockings could easily lead to sweaty feet, making it easier for the fungal infection to grow. If you need to wear a pair of stockings before wearing a shoe, apply baby powder or antiperspirant powder on your feet before you slip into the stockings. This can help minimize sweating and prevent any chances for the fungus to grow.

Conclusion

Knowing what causes toenail fungus can help you minimize your chances of developing this fungal infection. But if you do get infected with fungus on your toenails, make sure to get it treated immediately, especially if you start to notice symptoms like foul odor on your feet, brittle nails, and others. Toenail fungus can be treated easily, especially if the condition is diagnosed early on.