Are your toenails yellow, cracked or chipped? Are you experiencing pain, redness or swelling around your toenail area? If you have these symptoms, you could have toenail fungal infections, or also known as onychomycosis.
Toenail fungus infections affect around 12 percent of all Americans. It is hereditary and runs in families. Nail disorders are common in adults, but rare in children. Age causes nails to thicken and become more susceptible to nail fungal infections.
The two most common types of nail fungus are dermatophytes and yeast. Dermatophytes tend to be more common in toenails, while yeast infections are more common in fingernails. Dermatophytes can be picked up from walking barefoot in public places such as pools and showers. The fungus likes to grow in warm and wet places, like shoes that are too tight or that make your feet sweaty and hot.
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should contact your Water’s Edge Dermatology practitioner.
- Nail color or shape change
- Dents or ridges in a nail
- Pain or swollen skin around a nail
- White or black lines on a nail
Nails grow slowly, which means healing will occur slowly. Topical medications are often not effective enough, so often oral medication is necessary. Our practitioners provide some of the best toenail fungus treatment options in Florida.
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