Causes of toe nail fungus complications

What is toenail fungus?

Onychomycosis or toenail fungus is a common condition that occurs when there is a proliferation of fungi in the toenail area; this eventually leads to disfigurement and discoloration of the nail. The two nails that are most prone to this condition are the big and little toes.

It is believed that at least one toe will be infected by an estimated 48% of people in the United States by the age of 70. People who wear nail polish all the time or those who wear tight and restrictive shoes are more prone to developing onychomycosis.

What are the symptoms?

Discoloration of the nail: your nail with either turn brown, green or yellow.
Foul smell: You may also experience a foul smell emanating from under the nail.
Disfigurement of the nail: Your nails will appear overgrown and thickened.
Pain: You may experience pain while wearing shoes
Broken nail: The infected nail may also fall apart partially or completely.

What can you do?

As soon as you suspect nail fungus, see your doctor. Nail fungus complications are more likely to affect diabetic patients, organ transplant recipients, and those suffering from leukemia or AIDS. If left unnoticed, the nerve and blood supply to your feet may be reduced, which, in turn, could leave you with no sensation in your feet. Those infected with toenail fungus are also are at a greater risk of contracting cellulitis, a severe bacterial skin infection.

It is best to not ignore the signs of toenail fungus, as the complications could considerably worsen the situation. Getting adequate treatment in time will help relieve the condition. Listed below are some of the natural remedies for toe nail fungus; however, do consult your doctor as well before opting for one of these.

Vinegar: Vinegar has high acidity and it is effective in getting rid of nail fungus as fungi cannot thrive in acidic conditions. Simply soak your feet in a 50:50 solution of water and vinegar. The best options are white vinegar and apple cider vinegar. You can also try applying the vinegar directly on the infected toe. Do this once a day.

Tea tree: The antifungal and antibacterial properties of tea tree oil work well to help treat toenail fungus. Dab 2 to 3 drops of undiluted tea tree oil on a cotton swab then wipe the affected nail with it. Let it dry and leave it overnight. The oil attacks the fungus and kills it. Do this consistently till a fresh nail starts growing.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Apply a few drops of hydrogen mixture with a cotton swab on the affected toe. Remember to mix it in equal proportion with water.

Treating toe nail fungus requires a lot of patience, and the time taken will also depend on the severity of the condition.

Doctors generally prescribe antifungal medicines to be taken orally for 2 to 3 months. In some cases, if the nail is too damaged, your health care giver may have to remove the nail. There is no sure way to get rid of toe nail fungus other than a new nail growing and even then the chances of the fungus returning are high.