toenails Light yellow, crisp An abnormal appearance may be a sign of a fungal infection of the nails, called onychomycosis. Experts say these infections don’t go away on their own and can easily spread from one person to another if left untreated.
‘Fungi tend to be greedy’said Boni Elewski, chief of dermatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. For example, if a person becomes infected by being in close contact with an infected person or walking barefoot in a locker room, the virus could crawl under the toenails and spread to the nails themselves, he explained.
Footwear use wet Can promote the growth of fungi.
Toenail fungus is estimated to affect one in 10 people worldwide, and it becomes more common with age: It affects More than half of people over 70.
Shari Lipner, a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York, says people with diabetes or weak immune systems are also susceptible.
Is it really a mushroom?
According to experts, the first step to restoring normal toenails is Check if you have fungus. Some telltale signs are thickened, discolored, cracked, misshapen nails, and sometimes even pain or an odor.
However, according to Elewski, fungus only causes the abnormal appearance in half of all nails.this trauma On toenails, either a specific injury or repetitive activities wearing shoes that are too tight can also cause the nails to become discolored or thickened. “Vision alone is not enough It was definitely onychomycosis,” he said.
Doctors usually confirm the presence of toenail fungus by examining a slide under a microscope, according to Lipner.
They can also do a PCR test or fungal culture Determine the type of fungus that infects your nails.But these tests are not always necessary because most people have a condition called Trichophyton rubrumAccording to Lipner.
However, if treatments don’t work, your dermatologist may want to learn more about the microorganisms under your nails.
Elewski explains that prescription antifungal medications can often solve the problem, but it’s a bad idea to take them without first confirming that you have fungus.he unnecessary use Antifungals can make these drugs Invalid Over time, this leads to a growing problem known as antifungal resistance.
Which antifungal drug works best?
While some pharmacies stock their entire shelves with over-the-counter antifungal creams, Elewski says the next best thing is over-the-counter treatments or home remedies. Improve the appearance of nails.
If you really want to get rid of fungus, “the only option is prescription antifungals,” says Antonella Tosti, a dermatologist who treats nail diseases at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
have topical prescriptionsuch as creams, ointments or serum-like solutions, and Oral antifungalsthat is, pills.
Lipner noted that for mild cases that affect only one or two toenails, topical antifungal medications may be helpful. One drawback, however, is that it can take about a year for the fungus to completely disappear.
Lipner says if there’s fungus on several nails or if the toenails are thick, he usually opts for Oral diet.
These pills (terbinafine or itraconazole) can get rid of toenail fungus about three months. However, even if the medication eliminates the fungus, the nails may look strange for up to a year while new, uninfected nails grow.
In the meantime, some over-the-counter medications can improve the appearance of your nails by soothing the surrounding skin or thinning them, Elewski says.
Lipner notes that it’s usually OK to use nail polish on infected nails while taking oral antifungal medications. But don’t do this if you use topical medications.
This is important whether you’re taking a topical or oral antifungal, Tosti says Follow treatment every day. “This is not something that can be cured in a few weeks,” he said. “It’s very important to follow the rules.”
How to prevent the infection from happening again?
Experts warn that successfully eliminating toenail fungus doesn’t mean it won’t come back.In fact, it is estimated that 25% of people suffer from recurring infections.
Lipner Recommends Wash socks thoroughly or other clothing that came into contact with the first infection and throw it away, or use a disinfectant spray on shoes that you wear regularly when you have toenail fungus.
To avoid getting toenail fungus, Lipner recommends trimming your toenails regularly and avoiding walking barefoot in gym locker rooms or around swimming pools.
If you often sweat in closed-toed shoes, wear moisture-wicking socks and dry shoes when possible.
If the skin on your feet becomes dry, itchy, flaky, or inflamed, you may have athlete’s foot, which is caused by the same fungus that affects your nails.That’s why it’s important Treat immediately.
Unlike onychomycosis, some over-the-counter medications can help treat athlete’s foot.
“But don’t blind yourself,” Lipner stresses. “Check with your dermatologist that you are using the correct treatment.”
Translated by: Patricia Saar
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