The Unwanted Fungal Nail

By Rhea Manussen|2024-05-15T01:47:17+00:00January 25th, 2022|

Summer is a great time of year; the sun is out the sandals are on and life’s good. But then you look down at your toenails only to find the dreaded fungal nail. It’s yellow, discoloured and often very thick. The common mistake is covering it up with nail polish all the time.

Fungal toenails are unpleasant and can be difficult to manage if you aren’t sure what to do. Almost half of all nail problems are attributed to nail fungus. The most common cause of nail fungus is micro-trauma. Trauma allows a pathway for the fungal organism to enter the nail and nail bed.

Other causes of nail fungus

Other causes of nail fungus include:

Exposure to warm, moist environments that are publicly used e.g. public pools, gyms and showers.
Constant use of nail polish especially if done at a salon that does not sterilise.
Not drying your feet off thoroughly following showers.
Certain health issues such as; diabetes, poor circulation and a range of auto-immune conditions

Symptoms of fungal nails

Toenail fungus itself does not cause pain but can leave the nail soft, brittle and discoloured. Be on the lookout for vertical yellow/bright white streaks as an early indication of nail fungus. Soft debris may be present under the nail and there may be malodour.

How to prevent toenail fungus

The following measures can help prevent toenail fungus:

Wear thongs or protective footwear in public pools and showers.
Dry your feet off well after a shower.
Change socks regularly, especially after a long work day or exercise
Use natural fibre socks such a cotton or bamboo and avoid nylons.
Avoid leaving toenail polish in place for long periods of time, your toenails need a break.
Avoid nail salons and strong chemical polishes such as shellac or SNS.
Get your footwear fitted properly to avoid micro-trauma.

Nail Fungus Treatment

If you think you may have toenail fungus, it recommended you see your podiatrist before it gets worse. Don’t be embarrassed to come in, we see it a lot and the earlier you stop it, the better.

Podiatrists can assess your nails to determine if fungus is present. They can guide you in the right direction to getting your nails back to being fungus free and provide you with tips to prevent reinfection so that your toenails remain healthy in the long term.

If you are ready to take back control of your nails and foot health, make an appointment to come and see one of our friendly Melbourne podiatrists today!