You must have heard at least once about toenail fungus infection. In the unfortunate case you experienced it first handedly, you know how horrible it is to deal with it and how hard it is to find treatments for it.
If we take a look at the percentages about this infection, it’s easy to see that it’s so very common and the numbers increase along with the age. In people over 70 the percentage can rise as high as 50%.
Should we care about it?
Yes we should definitely pay attention to it since if left untreated, it can lead to serious complications.
First of all, it can leave impairments on the infected nail for a lifetime, it can spread to your other toes and the skin around the nails and in severe cases the infection can attack other body parts as well, leading to serious problems, even amputation.
Let’s take a look at some myths or truths about toenail fungus infection:
- It is ugly but can be harmless
So true. In certain cases it’s only the aesthetic of the toenail that is affected but not the overall health of it. In case it causes serious pain and you notice a change in shape and odor, do not hesitate to contact your doctor for further investigations.
- Nail polish can cause toenail fungus infection
Not exactly true. Although applying nail polish can cause a great environment for fungus to develop in, if you take proper care of it and dry it afterwards, it should be harmless.
- Over-the-counter products cure it
Maybe yes, maybe no. it all depends on how sever the infection is and how stubborn it gets. If the infection has evolved, homemade products might not have the necessary efficiency to cure it.
- It is contagious
Sort of, yes. Meaning, it’s essential that you pay attention to always wearing slippers in public shower places and pools. Also, dirty nail saloons are a great spot to catch fungus from. Walking barefoot in dirty public places is not a great idea either.
- Can proper footwear fight fungus?
Yes it can. It’s important to pay attention to the footwear you invest in, to the socks you wear and so on. Also, trimming your nails on a regular basis and having an accurate foot hygiene can go a long way.
- Yellow nails are a symptom
Yes they are. In many cases symptoms appear such as changes in color, shape and odor. In the best case scenario the infection doesn’t spread any further, but most of the cases the fungus is hard to treat and stubborn.
- Antifungal drugs are antibiotics
Not really. Most of the cases doctors prefer to prescribe antifungal drugs because they work fast. Although these drugs come with a long list of side effects, they are not antibiotics.
These are just some of the myths we wanted to bust regarding toenail fungus infection. The fact is, that you need to pay proper attention to your feet, know your feet so you can notice changes when and if they occur and take the right measurements before it’s too late.
Don’t neglect the infection or it can lead to serious problems!
