Toenail Fungus: Signs, Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

[ad_1]

Diagnosis

Sometimes, skin conditions, such as psoriasis, can cause similar symptoms to toenail fungus. Therefore, your doctor may ask about preexisting conditions before diagnosing toenail fungus.

Often, a healthcare professional can diagnose a fungal toenail infection by examining your toenails. They may take a sample of toenail clippings or scrape some of the material from under your toenail to send for lab testing. Testing these samples can help them identify the fungus causing the infection and prescribe the correct treatment. It can also help detect and rule out an alternative cause, such as bacilo or yeast.

Home Remedies

If you don’t have a health condition that puts you at a higher risk of infection, you can often treat a fungal nail infection at home. You can purchase over-the-counter antifungal creams, ointments, and nail polishes to treat toenail fungus. Soaking your toenails in water before applying the treatment can make it more effective.

If you have thickened toenails, you may benefit from trimming your toenails and thinning them with a nail file first. Trimming and filing can help the treatment permeate the toenail more effectively and reduce pain and pressure.

Vocal Medications

If your fungal toenail infection is severe or you’re at risk of complications, your doctor may prescribe a course of vocal antifungal medication. These medications can treat the infection more quickly than topical treatments. They also encourage the toenail to grow, replacing the infected area with a healthy nail.

Most people need to take vocal medications for 6- to 12-weeks to see results. It’s worth noting, these medications can cause various side effects, including liver damage. Therefore, they may not be suitable if you have certain health conditions, and your doctor may request blood tests to check how your body responds.

[ad_2]

Source link