Fungus
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- Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)
- Accessory Navicular Syndrome
- Common Disorders of the Achilles Tendon
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Diabetic Complications and Amputation Prevention
- Ankle Arthritis
- Ankle Fractures
- Chronic Ankle Instability
- Ankle Pain
- Ankle Sprain
- Arch Pain
- Arch Supports
- Athlete's Foot
- Baseball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Basketball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Soft Tissue Biopsy
- Black Toenails
- Bone Healing
- Bone Infection
- Bone Tumors in the Foot
- Brachymetararsia
- Bunions (Hallux Abducto Valgus)
- Bursitis
- Calcaneal Apophysitis (Sever's Disease)
- Fractures of the Calcaneus (Heel Bone Fractures)
- Calf Pain
- Callus
- Capsulitis of the Second Toe
- Cavus Foot (High-Arched Foot)
- Charcot Foot
- Clubfoot
- Cold Feet
- Compartment Syndrome
- Contact Dermatitis
- Corns
- Cracked Heels
- Crutch Use
- Custom Orthotic Devices
- Cyst-Ganglion
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Dermatitis
- Diabetic Complications and Amputation Prevention
- Diabetic Foot Care Guidelines
- Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
- Diabetic Shoes
- Drop Foot
- Dry Heels
- DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
- Eczema of the Foot
- Equinus
- Extra Bones
- Fallen Arches
- Field Hockey Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Fifth Metatarsal Fracture
- Flatfoot-Adult Acquired
- Flatfoot-Flexible
- Flatfoot-Pediatric
- Flexible Flatfoot
- Foot Arthritis
- Foot Bumps
- Foot Drop
- Foot Fracture
- Foot Lumps
- Foot Odor
- Foot Rash
- Football Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Fracture-Ankle
- Fracture-Foot
- Fractures of the Calcaneus (Heel Bone Fractures)
- Fractures of the Fifth Metatarsal
- Fracture-Toe
- Frostbite
- Fungal Nails
- Ganglion Cyst
- Gangrene
- Golf Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Gout
- Haglund's Deformity
- Hallux Rigidus
- Hammertoes
- Heel Bone Fractures
- Heel Cracks
- Heel Fissures
- Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)
- High-Arched Foot
- Inflammation: Actue
- Ingrown Toenails
- Instructions for Using Crutches
- Intermetatarsal Neuroma
- Intoeing
- Joint Pain in the Foot
- Joint Swelling in the Foot
- Jones Fracture
- Lacrosse Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Lisfranc Injuries
- Lumps
- Malignant Melanoma of the Foot
- MRSA Infection of the Foot
- Orthotics
- Os Trigonum Syndrome
- Osteoporosis
- Osteoarthritis of the Foot and Ankle
- Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection)
- Osteopenia
- P.A.D. (Peripheral Arterial Disease)
- Pediatric Flatfoot
- Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.)
- Peripheral Neuropathy: Diabetic
- Peroneal Tendon Injuries
- Pigeon-toes
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Plantar Fibroma
- Plantar Wart (Verruca Plantaris)
- Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)
- Pump Bump (Hallux Rigidus)
- Puncture Wounds
- Rash
- Raynauds Phenomenon
- Restless Legs
- Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Foot and Ankle
- R.I.C.E Protocol
- Rugby Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Running and Track Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Running Injuries
- Sesamoid Injuries in the Foot
- Shin Splints
- Shoe Inserts
- Skin Cancer of the Foot and Ankle
- Smelly Feet
- Soccer Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Soft Tissue Biopsy
- Softball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Sports Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Staph Infections of the Foot
- Stress Fracture in the Foot
- Sweaty Feet
- Swollen Ankles
- Swollen Feet
- Synovitis
- Tailor's Bunion
- Talar Dome Lesion
- Tarsal Coalition
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tennis Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Thick Toenails
- Tingly Feet
- Tired Feet
- Toe and Metatarsal Fractures (Broken Toes)
- Toe Walking
- Turf Toe
- Ulcers/Wounds
- Varicose Veins
- Volleyball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Warts
- Weak Ankles
- Webbed Toes
- White Toenails
- Wounds/Ulcers
- Wounds-Puncture
- Yellow Toenails
Many people don't realize they have a fungal nail problem and, therefore, don't seek treatment. Yet, fungal toenail infections are a common foot health problem and can persist for years without ever causing pain. The disease, characterized by a change in a toenail's color, is often considered nothing more than a mere blemish. Left untreated, however, it can present serious problems.
Also referred to as onychomycosis, fungal nails are infections underneath the surface of the nail, which may also penetrate the nail. Fungal nail infections are often accompanied by a secondary bacterial and/or yeast infection in or about the nail plate, which ultimately can lead to difficulty and pain when walking or running. Symptoms may include discoloration, brittleness, loosening, thickening, or crumbling of the nail.
A group of fungi, called dermophytes, easily attack the nail and thrive on keratin, the nail's protein substance. In some cases, when these tiny organisms take hold, the nail may become thicker, yellowish-brown, or darker in color, and foul smelling. Debris may collect beneath the nail plate, white marks frequently appear on the nail plate, and the infection is capable of spreading to other toenails, the skin, or even the fingernails.
Nail bed injury may make the nail more susceptible to all types of infection, including fungal infection. Those who suffer chronic diseases, such as diabetes, circulatory problems, or immune-deficiency conditions, are especially prone to fungal nails. Other contributory factors may be a history of Athlete's Foot or excessive perspiration.
You can prevent fungal nail infections by taking these simple precautions:
- Exercise proper hygiene and regularly inspect your feet and toes.
- Keep your feet clean and dry.
- Wear shower shoes in public facilities whenever possible.
- Clip nails straight across so that the nail does not extend beyond the tip of the toe.
- Use a quality foot powder (talcum, not cornstarch) in conjunction with shoes that fit well and are made of materials that breathe.
- Avoid wearing excessively tight hosiery, which promotes moisture. Socks made of synthetic fiber tend to "wick" away moisture faster than cotton or wool socks, especially for those with more active lifestyles.
- Disinfect home pedicure tools and don't apply polish to nails suspected of infection.
Depending on the type of infection you have, over-the-counter liquid antifungal agents may not prevent a fungal infection from recurring. A topical or oral medication may need to be prescribed, and the diseased nail matter and debris removed, a process called debridement. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications.
In severe cases, surgical treatment may be required to remove the infected nail. Permanent removal of a chronically painful nail, which has not responded to any other treatment, permits the fungal infection to be cured and prevents the return of a deformed nail.