A fungal infection is progressive and does not go away on its own. If left untreated, it can cause pain and mobility problems that can affect your life and routine activities. Call Premier Podiatry and schedule an appointment with Trevor Prior to discuss your symptoms of toenail fungus as soon as possible. He will focus on the causes of your symptoms to determine the type and stage of toenail fungus. He also recommends the best treatment options to cure the infection and suggests lifestyle changes to help prevent toenail fungal infection in the future as well.

Fungal infections affect fingernails and Toenail both, but toenail fungal infections are more common due to the damp and warm environment created by wearing socks and shoes for long periods. Fungi are tiny organisms that can only be seen through a microscope. Many different types of fungi can cause a nail infection. Sometimes, they live on the skin and do not cause any trouble, but if you have a lot in one area, they may lead to infection.

Toenail Fungus is something we don’t like or want to think about, but it can be painful and lead to other serious health conditions if it is not addressed timely. Fungal infections are common and affect a large population, but they are easy to treat and prevent.

What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like?

Common symptoms of a toenail fungus include a thickened, cracked, rough, or crumbly skin surface. Toenail fungus can also cause discolored nails and lead to nail separation if it is not treated early. Toenail fungus is not always painful, but it is best to seek treatment as infection can spread to other nails and affect the way your toe and nails look.

Read on to learn more about different types of fungal toe infections, the stages of toenail fungus, and what you can do to treat and prevent this infection from occurring in the future.

Types of Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is a common fungal infection that occurs when microscopic fungi enter the nail through a small cut, crack, or trauma. Officially known as onychomycosis, toenail fungus can lead to infection if it is not treated timely and spread to the surrounding toenails, skin, or even the fingernails.

There are three main types of toenail fungus, caused by different infection agents. They are:

Subungual Onychomycosis

It is the most common infection caused by dermatophytes, the same class of fungus as an athlete’s foot. You can get it in your fingernails or toenails. It is known as distal subungual onychomycosis when it affects the skin under the nail, and proximal subungual onychomycosis when it starts at the base of the nail. There are nearly 40 types of species of dermatophytes that can cause subungual onychomycosis.

White Superficial Onychomycosis

This type of toenail fungus first appears as white spots and only occurs in the top layer of the toenail. It is a less common type, caused by fusarium and acremonium, fungi known as hyphomycetes. It starts as white spots that become powdery, and cause the nail to crumble. This type of toenail infection is easiest to treat but can spread quickly.

Candida Onychomycosis

It is caused by candida, a type of yeast that usually affects the fingernails. The area around the nails is often swollen and inflamed, and the nails may come off entirely. It mostly happens to nails damaged by an injury or another infection. It is also the primary cause of human fungal infections overall as it affects the mucus membranes and GI tract.

What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like?

Toenail fungus occurs in several ways, which may make it difficult for you to identify it initially. If you notice any significant changes to your toenails, it is essential to see a podiatrist as soon as possible to prevent complications. Even though early-stage toenail fungus does not cause pain, knowing how it looks can help you seek timely treatment.

Fungal Nail Infection Symptoms

Symptoms are different, depending on the type of fungal nail infection you have. They usually start mild and get severe if they are not treated early.

Toenail fungus may present in the following ways:

• White spots on the surface of the toenail
• Change of toenail color, such as white, yellow, or brown
• The toenail looks chalky or cloudy in spots
• Cracked or broken toenail
• Dry or brittle toenail
• Misshapen or thickened toenails
• The toenail pulls away from the nail bed, leaving a gap between the nail and the skin beneath

Is Toenail Fungus Contagious?

Yes. Toenail fungus can be contagious, but toenail infections require a specific environment to grow and spread. Coming into physical contact with toenail fungus or touching items that have been in contact with the fungus can greatly increase the chances of spreading the infection. Podiatrists suggest avoiding wearing old shoes and always wearing clean socks to minimize your chance of reinfection.

People with weak immune systems or ongoing health problems are at higher risk of contracting toenail fungus, and it can spread to other toenails and fingernails. Touching the infected surface can also lead to a transfer of infection, so it is essential to wash your hands regularly.

Stages of Toenail Fungus

Although they are not clearly defined, generally there are three stages of toenail fungus. They are:

Early-Stage Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungal infections often first develop at the front or side edge of the nail as it is easy for fungus to enter the nail here. You may notice a white or yellow-brown spot just under the nail or a subtle change in texture, but it is something you can easily miss too. It is necessary to keep your eyes open as toenail fungus is easiest to treat at this initial stage.

Moderate-Stage Toenail Fungus

This is the stage where the nail is thick enough to cause pain, especially when you wear shoes or participate in activities that put pressure on the toenail. The fungus will continue to spread and may even spread to other nails and worsen if left untreated.

Later-Stage Toenail Fungus

It is the final stage, where the infected nail or nails turn very thick and brittle. They may even begin to detach from the nail bed. In severe cases, the fungal infection can also spread to the surrounding nails and skin.

How Would You Know What Type of Toenail Fungus You Have?

It is important to have your toenail fungus diagnosed by a healthcare provider. Your doctor can tell you what type of nail fungus you have by thoroughly examining your toenails. He may also take a sample of the nail clipping or scrapping from your nail and send it to the laboratory to find out the type of toenail fungus.

Sometimes, other skin conditions are also confused with nail fungus, such as a bacterial nail infection, or a non-infectious condition like psoriasis. Knowing the causes behind your infection can help the doctor determine your condition accurately and recommend the best treatment.

Treating Toenail Fungus – Effective Treatment Options

Fungal nail infections do not usually go away on their own. They can be difficult to cure and may take several months or even a year to clear. There are no home remedies for toenail fungus and fungal infection, and treatment options consist of over-the-counter or prescription medications. You can look forward to timely relief with early treatment.

Your doctor will recommend the following treatment options to clear the infection quickly:

• Oral antifungals – The doctor may prescribe medications to kill fungus in the body. It is usually the best way to get rid of a nail infection. Treatment may last for three months for infection in your toenails.
• Topical antifungals – These medications can be rubbed or brushed on the nails and help eliminate fungus. They work for mild infection, but as they do not get deep into the nail, they cannot cure severe cases of toenail infection. The doctor may recommend topical treatment in combination with a pill for better results.
• Surgery – If no other treatment works, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the nail entirely to let a healthy one grow back in its place.
• Laser or photodynamic therapy – It uses special light to kill the fungus.

How to Know if Toenail Fungus Is Dying?

You will know the treatment is working and the toenail fungus is dying when your toenail changes back to its natural color, decreases in thickness, and shows healthy new growth. You will also see a clear delineation between the infected part of the toenail and your new nail growth.

If you suspect a toenail infection, do not wait, as it can lead to infection in the surrounding skin and nails. Consult an experienced and trained podiatrist at the first signs for early diagnosis and treatment to clear up the infection and prevent further complications. Trevor Prior specializes in creating effective and personalized treatment plans to help you achieve optimal health. With a focus on the type and stage of toenail infection you have, he offers the highest quality of care to ensure you get quick relief.

The post Types & Stages of Toenail Fungus appeared first on Premier Podiatry: Velimir Petkov, DPM: Podiatrists: Clifton, NJ.