If you have a serious fungal infection, one of the foremost questions on your mind is probably: “Will my toenail grow back after fungus?” Learn about how to treat toenail fungus, and how to once again enjoy clear and beautiful nails.
Will My Toenail Grow Back After a Fungus Infection?
A loss of a toenail also called onychoptosis commonly happens when toenails are infected by fungus. This happens because the fungus feeds on the keratin, which is the protein your nails are made out of. Some signs of an infection are:
- Crumbly or brittle nails
- Thickening of the nails
- Discoloration
- Foul odor
Your nail will start to grow back after an infection, however, toenail fungus is persistent and difficult to treat on your own. Unless you seek proper treatment, chances are that the new nail growth will also be infected. Toenail fungus does not usually go away by itself, and treatment is almost always needed.
Can I Prevent My Toenail From Falling Off?
With proper and early treatment, chances are that the toenail can be saved before it falls off. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes a doctor will remove the nail depending on how bad the infection is.
There are things you can do to prevent the infection in the first place. These include the following:
- Wearing socks that breathe, and changing them often, especially if you sweat a lot
- Sprinkling your feet and shoes with anti-fungal powder
- Avoiding walking barefoot in public places like showers or pools
- Avoiding nail polish, since this can trap moisture in the nail bed and make the infection worse
- Washing your hands after touching your nails
Treatment for Toenail Fungus
Laser treatment for toenail fungus is by far the best way to get rid of toenail fungus. This is because it is painless, quick, and effective. A high energy laser will penetrate the nail, killing the fungus.
Will My Toenail Grow Back After Laser Treatment?
Your nail will grow back, but it takes time. Toenails in particular tend to take longer to grow, between 6-12 months. Once the fungus is killed, the nail will grow back clear. Make sure you follow the aftercare instructions to avoid re-infection.
Sometimes if a person experiences persistent and chronic infections, a doctor will remove the nail and destroy the nail bed with a chemical. In this case, the nail will not grow back. However, this is rare and normally done when people also have an autoimmune disorder.
