Prevention of toenail fungus Toenail fungus, also know as onychomycosis, is the most common nail disease.
Besides the discoloration, it also causes changes to the nail plate and nail bed.
It is very important to evaluate your nails often, especially if you are an athlete or visit nail salons often.
Prevention is the key.
It is important to avoid sharing of nail clippers, barefoot walking in public showers/restrooms, trauma to the nail due to shoe gear or injury, and keeping feet clear of athlete's foot.
Different types of toenail fungus There are different types of fungus, depending on the severity and appearance.
The most common pathogen is Trichophyton Rubrum but other organisms also can cause fungus.
A fungal infection can range from a white superficial infection (white islands) to a proximal subungual infection (yellow, thick nail plate).
What are the symptoms of toenail fungus? Toenail fungus, also know as onychomycosis, is the most common nail plate disease.
Besides the discoloration, it also causes changes to the nail and nail bed.
If your nail plate is abnormal, thickened, and/or discolored medical attention is needed.
Catching the infection before spread is key to complete resolution of the disease.
Many times the abnormal shape of the nail plate, due to the onychomycosis, can cause ingrown nails and pain to the nail bed.
The thickened nature of the nail plate makes it more susceptible to trauma from shoe gear and can cause bleeding underneath nail plates.
This can be especially dangerous to the diabetics.
How contagious is toenail fungus? Fungal infections are contagious.
Having one type of fungal infection can make you susceptible to other types.
Trichophyton Rubrum, known to cause toenail fungus, is also a pathogen that causes athlete's foot.
Both types of infection can be picked up from communal showers/locker rooms, nail salons, and sharing of nail instruments.
Suggestions for healthy toenails It is very important to evaluate you toenails.
Many women keep nail polish on their toenails for extended periods of time.
Your nails need air.
Lack of air can cause your toenails to discolor, this is not a fungus.
Continuous lack of air will weaken your nails making it more susceptible to the fungus.
Wearing an incorrect shoe size can also cause nail trauma which will allow fungus to invade.
Check your shoes and avoid excessively snug or large shoes.
Besides the discoloration, it also causes changes to the nail plate and nail bed.
It is very important to evaluate your nails often, especially if you are an athlete or visit nail salons often.
Prevention is the key.
It is important to avoid sharing of nail clippers, barefoot walking in public showers/restrooms, trauma to the nail due to shoe gear or injury, and keeping feet clear of athlete's foot.
Different types of toenail fungus There are different types of fungus, depending on the severity and appearance.
The most common pathogen is Trichophyton Rubrum but other organisms also can cause fungus.
A fungal infection can range from a white superficial infection (white islands) to a proximal subungual infection (yellow, thick nail plate).
What are the symptoms of toenail fungus? Toenail fungus, also know as onychomycosis, is the most common nail plate disease.
Besides the discoloration, it also causes changes to the nail and nail bed.
If your nail plate is abnormal, thickened, and/or discolored medical attention is needed.
Catching the infection before spread is key to complete resolution of the disease.
Many times the abnormal shape of the nail plate, due to the onychomycosis, can cause ingrown nails and pain to the nail bed.
The thickened nature of the nail plate makes it more susceptible to trauma from shoe gear and can cause bleeding underneath nail plates.
This can be especially dangerous to the diabetics.
How contagious is toenail fungus? Fungal infections are contagious.
Having one type of fungal infection can make you susceptible to other types.
Trichophyton Rubrum, known to cause toenail fungus, is also a pathogen that causes athlete's foot.
Both types of infection can be picked up from communal showers/locker rooms, nail salons, and sharing of nail instruments.
Suggestions for healthy toenails It is very important to evaluate you toenails.
Many women keep nail polish on their toenails for extended periods of time.
Your nails need air.
Lack of air can cause your toenails to discolor, this is not a fungus.
Continuous lack of air will weaken your nails making it more susceptible to the fungus.
Wearing an incorrect shoe size can also cause nail trauma which will allow fungus to invade.
Check your shoes and avoid excessively snug or large shoes.
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