If you do not address toenail fungus at the very first indication of the problem, it may grow and develop beneath your nails. Ruben Nieto, DPM, and the Diabetic Foot and Wound Center team in Bakersfield, CA, understand how rapidly fungus may harm your nails and neighboring skin. For this reason, they suggest that patients seek treatment for toenail fungus as soon as they notice it. For expert care for toenail fungus in Bakersfield, call the office or request an appointment online today at Diabetic Foot and Wound Center.
What Exactly is Toenail Fungus?
Toenail fungus manifests itself as a little yellow or white patch beneath your nail. Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is caused by molds, yeasts, and bacteria. When the fungus has penetrated your nail, usually through microscopic breaks and cracks, it could proliferate and damage your neighboring nails.
What is the Best Way to Tell Whether You Have Toenail Fungus?
If any of your toenails have the following characteristics, you could have toenail fungus:
o Brownish or Yellow
o Thickened
o Crumbling
o Distorted
o Easy to break
o Filled with dirt
When toenail fungus begins to grow, it can emit a horrible odor. If your toe is gushing pus or blood, you could have an infection that has to be treated at Diabetic Foot and Wound Center.
Wound care treatments can help avoid gangrene, infection, and other consequences if you have diabetes, chronic venous insufficiency, or another chronic condition impacting your circulation.
Who Is Afflicted with Toenail Fungus?
Toenail fungus can affect anyone, although it is more prevalent in elderly folks with thicker toenails and persons with sweaty feet. Other risk factors for toenail fungus include:
o Diabetes
o Having a history of athlete’s foot
o Having a weaker immunity
o Having skin disorders such as psoriasis
o Walking barefoot in moist locker rooms
If you utilize public swimming pools frequently, you are also more prone to develop toenail fungus.
What Are the Options for Treating Toenail Fungus?
In most circumstances, topical remedies might be sufficient to treat your toenail fungus. Nonetheless, if the fungus grows, you might require oral medication to manage it.
If toenail fungus is not responsive to topical therapies like medicated nail polish, it is hard to cure. To entirely eradicate the fungus, surgical intervention is, at times, required.
Diabetic Foot and Wound Center provides exfoliation to detach the diseased nail from the tissue under it. In some cases, they might advise fully eradicating the nail to administer antifungal medication immediately beneath it.
How Can You Keep Toenail Fungus At Bay?
If you are susceptible to fungal infections, maintaining your feet clean and dry as much as practicable might help you avoid toenail fungus. Trimming your toes can also help to keep dirt and bacteria from being stuck beneath your nail.
When toenail fungus is treated promptly, you can prevent it from affecting your life quality. Ruben Nieto, DPM, and the wound care specialists at Diabetic Foot and Wound Center offer appointments seven days a week. To arrange an appointment with the experts, call the office or request online. They allow walk-in visits and offer telehealth services.
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