Toenail fungus accounts for more than half of nail conditions that people suffer with and by the time most people reach the age of 70 they will have sought Fungus Nails Treatments in Joliet IL. The medical term for this condition is onychomycosis and it often arises as a result of a previous fungal infection like athlete’s foot. It occurs mostly in adults and rarely in children.
* Symptoms – In the early stages, the affected nail will have a yellow or white patches. The nail may also become thickened, crumbly, or erode and flake off. Sometimes the toe will admit a faint, foul odor and can lift from the nail bed.
* Causes – Tichophytonrubrum, a form of dermatophyte fungus, is most commonly associated with onychomycosis. Fungi can exist without light and are at home in dark, moist, and warm environments. They can enter the body through the tiniest of cuts, gaps between the nail bed and the nail, or through an ingrown toenail. Damp environments such as swimming pools, gyms, and shower stalls are places where fungus’s are readily acquired.
* Risk Factors – Prior trauma to the toes can leave them vulnerable to ingrown toenails or fungal infections. Wearing shoes that are too tight or that don’t allow the feet to dry out can increase the risk of contracting a fungal infection requiring Fungus Nails Treatments in Joliet IL. Other risk factors identified are failing to completely dry off after swimming, showering, or bathing. People with weakened immune systems are also at an increased risk of nail fungus infections.
* Treatment – Nail fungal infections will not heal on their own and if left untreated, may spread to the surrounding skin, potentially affecting one’s ability to walk without difficulty. Oral and topical medications are available, however, oral medications are preferred as they work systemically to fight the infection. The downside to oral therapy is the potential for liver damage, therefore, many patients and doctors at Suburban Foot & Ankle Associates in Joliet IL choose topical ointments.
Fungus Nails Treatments in Joliet IL can take a year or more to resolve because the new nail must replace the infected nail. In some cases, surgery may be required in which the nail is removed so that topical medications can be directly applied. Recently approved topical creams have a high success rate in completely curing nail fungus infections. Browse website for more information.
