Got an ugly nail fungus infection? Here’s what you need to do
If you have noticed a yellowish discolored patch on your nail you might have developed a common fungal disorder known as onychomycosis. It’s probably a good idea to get a definite diagnosis from a dermatologist. Although it’s not a life-threatening disease, don’t be tempted to ignore it as it is very unlikely to clear away on its own. It’s also progressive in nature and can cause permanent damage to the structure of your nails.
The condition is caused by a group of fungal organisms that thrive in moist, protected environments. So the more hours each day you can expose your toenails to sunlight the better. You really want to cut down on the length of time they stay cooped up in socks and shoes. Change out of sweaty exercise shoes quickly and make sure that any footwear you wear is well ventilated and made from natural fibers. And of course completely dry your toenails after showering.
When it comes to treatment your dermatologist may discuss oral medication therapy with you. There are a number of very effective prescription antifungal drugs available on the market. But as some of these have been linked to liver problems and side effects, many sufferers opt to treat their condition using topical therapies. Again choose your product carefully as you want to ensure that it can penetrate through the nail layers to reach the fungus (here are some reviews to chew over). You’ll have to be consistent, applying the treatment regularly.