Even though toenail fungus invokes all sorts of unpleasant images, it is a serious condition that needs to be treated right away. There are a lot more people than you can imagine who develop this condition. Any fungus that grows enough to turn into an infection should be taken care of rapidly. If this is allowed to continue, then additional problems occur such as loss of finger and toenails. This fungus likewise could appear in your fingernails, although it typically appears in toenails. The type of fungus involved in this condition has a more conducive habitat in toenails due to the limited light conditions plus the moisture. One other good reason for containing the spread is due to its being communicable.

You can see when it begins growing because the infected nail is going to have little spots with a different shade to it. Initially you may believe your nails just have to be cleaned due to the stain. This discoloration is beneath the nail, but it is hard to get rid of. That inability to clean the dirty nail is something you should keep in mind. You can cleaning and scraping but the stained appearance does not disappear. Many of us know what a smashed nail looks like, it becomes dark or black; that is what this will advance into. There are many different products available you can find that do not require that you have a prescription.

With the continued growth of the fungal infection, the nail is going to right away start to show other signs of infection. Drastically thinner nails is very common with a large number of people, even though not everybody experiences it. However, there are people who whose nail become thicker. In any case, the toenail will become weaker and can start breaking here and there. Of course pretty soon the entire nail is going to fall off, which is highly undesirable for anyone. The infected nail will begin to smell awful as the infection grows underneath the toenail.

Some other signs include pain which can be a very real problem with toenails and putting on shoes. Keep in mind that the toenail fungus infection doesn't occur on the outer nail, but it does start off on the nail bed below. It is the keratin that this fungus lives off of, and that is why the nail becomes so weak. Remember that the fungus likes damp and dark areas so it can thrive well. As far as the causes for toenail fungus, ill-fitting shoes worn constantly as well as poor nail care. An unusual pH of the skin for a long time may likewise lend to its growth.

Sufficient cleanliness of your self and nails, of course, is the easiest way to keep this condition out of your life. However it is crucial that you are aware that the fungus can spread from other people directly to you or from wet community conditions. But you can easily and quickly take drugs by mouth or apply it topically to the affected toenail.