Nail fungus treatment is something thousands of people deal with on a daily basis. If you have a distorted toenail or nails, you may require treatment as well. The good news is there’s absolutely no reason to panic. In most cases, the treatment process is relatively easy and can be performed in the comfort of your own home.
Fungal nail infection is extremely common. Statistics show that as high as 10 percent of the population has dealt with, deals with or will deal with the condition at some point in their lifetime.
Distorted toenails stay distorted until the issue is corrected (if it’s correctable) and the nail has a chance to completely grow back out. This typically takes approximately four months.
Nail Fungus Symptoms
If the misshaped nail is a result of toenail fungus, it’s just one of many signs and symptoms of the condition. Other symptoms include:
- A bad odor
- Yellow nails
- Nail separation from the skin underneath
- Redness and swelling
- Crumbling nails
- Toe pain
Nail Fungus Treatment
A fungal nail infection doesn’t go away on its own. The longer it goes untreated, the worse it gets. This is especially dangerous if you’re a diabetic, have AIDS or take a cancer-related drug.
Please note, if you fall into one of these three categories, professional treatment is highly recommended. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. You don’t want the infection to spread to the foot or other parts of your body.
Choosing a treatment method is generally a personal preference. Methods to consider include:
- Over-the-counter topical treatments (lotions, ointments and creams)
- Laser treatment
- Home remedies (Vick’s rubs, foot soaks, Listerine)
Toenail Fungus Prevention
Once you’re officially fungus-free, it’s important to do all that you can to prevent re-infection. These precautions are simple and don’t take much time to initiate. The more proactive you are in taking these steps, the less chance you’ll have of toenail fungus cropping up again.
- Keep your feet clean and your nails trimmed as short as possible
- Wear flip-flops in damp public areas such as pools and the gym (where fungi thrives)
- Don’t share footwear or nail grooming tools
- Choose shoes with a wide toe bed, which allow your feet to breathe better
- Don’t wear nylon socks
Remember, as soon as you notice a distorted toenail, it’s best to take action as soon as possible. If it is a fungal infection, it has the ability to spread to your other nails. As long as you know the facts, nail fungus treatment isn’t a complicated task.
