Five Things To Know About Toe Fungal Infections

ust about everyone will suffer from some type or form of foot problem in his or her lifetime. This is due to the fact that while the feet are tough and able to withstand a great deal of pressure, small issues can have a significant impact on the health and mobility of your feet. Construction workers, athletes, running enthusiasts and office employees can all experience a problem if they wear the wrong footwear or don’t take the time to identify problems early on.

Fungal infections are very common with children, teens and adults. They can get their start in salons with poor hygiene practices, wet areas such as swimming pools and communal shower areas (outside or inside) where fungus likes to live or by wearing tight, sweaty shoes for an extended period of time. The fungus can take root and if caught early by the symptoms, treated with over-the-counter medications. However, many times, people ignore the signs of this condition, which can include brittle nails, distortion, a slight foul odor, unusual coloring of the nail and thickening of the area. Something to keep in mind is that there are many different conditions that can affect the toes, which present similar symptoms so it can be hard to diagnose this at home and treat properly.

The best thing to do is to schedule a visit with the local podiatrist and heel pain specialist in Houston to have a physical examination performed. This way the doctor can review the medical history, lifestyle and examine the feet to determine the exact condition and offer treatment that is needed. It is always better to catch this early because more severe conditions can require complex treatment or possibly even surgery to resolve the issue. Once the fungal infection is full-blown, it can only be treated with antibiotics prescribed by a physician so you will need to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. 

Fungal infections are not necessarily ‘contagious’ but it isn’t unusual for several people in the same house or living area to get it if they share a common shower or have the same habits. As an athlete, it’s important to wear comfortable footwear to give the foot time to breathe. All fungus thrive on dark and moist places so the more you can deprive the foot of this then the better the chances are of not developing any issues. It will easily get underneath and take up residence under the nail and start spreading into other parts of the foot.

Report this Page