5 Things We Want You to Know About Toenail Fungus

One of the joys of summer is releasing your feet from winter shoes and boots and allowing them to bask in the warm air. You know what else loves summer? Toenail fungus.

The prevalence of toenail fungus among Americans is about 10%, and reports suggest that the problem is on the rise thanks to an aging population.

At Neuhaus Foot and Ankle, our team of foot health experts can attest to the rise in fungal nails. We can also report that toenail fungus can be frustrating to deal with once the infection takes hold.

Here’s a look at a few more things we want you to know about this common foot issue.

1. Toenail fungus is highly contagious

First, toenail fungus is highly contagious and is easily passed from one person to the next. This means public spaces are ripe for getting toenail fungus, such as hotel carpets and shared towels.

Furthermore, the fungi and molds that create fungal infections enjoy hanging out in warm, wet environments, such as public pools, wet towels, and locker rooms.

2. Toenail fungus isn’t medically serious (most of the time)

The good news is that toenail fungus is largely harmless, but it can pose serious cosmetic problems if you enjoy showing off your feet during the warmer months.

That said, people with circulation issues in their lower legs due to diabetes or peripheral artery disease might run into more serious complications if they develop toenail fungus.

As the fungus takes hold, it can weaken toenails and lead to openings in your skin, which can set the stage for problematic foot wounds and ulcers.

3. Toenail fungus often recurs

Toenail fungus can invade the cellular matrix of your toes and nails. Even if we successfully eliminate the fungal infection, it can easily develop again with the smallest exposure.

4. Toenail fungus should be treated as early as possible

As with most medical conditions, and especially infections, the earlier we can treat the problem, the better. The earliest signs of toenail fungus are white or yellowish spots that develop in your toenail.

From there, the fungal infection can quickly take hold of your nail and lead to toenails that thicken and crumble.

So, when you first see those troublesome spots in your toenail, schedule an appointment as soon as possible so we can treat it with:

Antifungal oral medications
Topical medications
Medicated nail polish

If the fungus is too far along and doesn’t respond to these efforts, we might have to remove the nail to hit the reset button. So, early intervention is key.

5. Toenail fungus can be prevented

The best way to deal with toenail fungus is to not deal with it at all. Some prevention practices include:

Wearing flip flops or sandals in public places, especially in showers and around pools
Never sharing socks or towels
Swapping out sweaty shoes and socks
Sterilizing anything that touches your toenails, such as clippers and files
Washing and drying your feet daily

If you’d like some more prevention tips or you want to learn more about your treatment options for toenail fungus, we invite you to contact Neuhaus Foot and Ankle today. To get started, please contact one of our 18 locations in Tennessee to schedule an appointment.