Toenail Fungus Treatment in Takoma Park And Riverdale MD
When you’re dealing with an issue like toenail fungus, it can make you feel uncomfortable to have your feet exposed or awkward if you need to take your shoes off in public. Toenail fungus is easy to prevent if you’re taking proper care of your feet and if you’re dealing with toenail fungus, you can talk to your podiatrist serving the Washington DC area about treating your toenail fungus and improving your overall foot health.
Signs and Causes of Toenail Fungus
It’s important to keep an eye out for any symptoms that you may be battling toenail fungus. Some signs to look out for are:
- Thickened nails.
- Yellow or brown discoloration.
- Brittle or crumbly nails.
- Misshapen toenails.
- Foul smell.
- Darkened color, caused by debris buildup under the nails.
Some of the causes and risk factors for toenail fungus include:
- Older age.
- Constant heavy sweating.
- A history of athlete’s foot.
- Going barefoot in communal areas, such as a pool or locker room.
- Diabetes or circulation issues.
Treating Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is a common issue that people everywhere struggle with, but luckily, it’s simple to prevent and treat. When identifying toenail fungus, you may notice that your toenails are thick, discolored, brittle, misshapen, smell foul, or have a buildup of debris under the nail. Toenail fungus might make you want to hide your feet away with closed toed shoes and socks, but if you’re spending long periods of time covering up your feet, you’re at risk for creating a habitat that helps the fungus thrive.
Toenail fungus can easily be treated and you may need to try more than one form of treatment. Your podiatrist will determine the best treatments for you based on the severity of your toenail fungus. This could be oral antifungal drugs to treat the problem from the inside, medicated nail polish, or medical nail cream that will penetrate through the nail. Your doctor might recommend combining some of these treatments for the best results possible. Results could take weeks depending on the severity of your condition.