If you suspect that you have toenail fungus, there is a possibility that you do. There are certain disorders that mimic toenail fungus, and when there is yellow coloration, it is an indication of underlying conditions. However, the other signs remain quite unclear. Apart from the yellow coloration, the thickness of the nails is another sign. Normally, infected nails have a horny and thick texture. In fact, they are harder to clip and tend to grow in an uneven pattern.
How to Treat Toenail Fungus
If you suspect that you have this kind of fungus, it is vital that you seek medical attention immediately. If you allow the infection to advance, it will be harder to treat it and it will take a long time to heal completely. It is impossible to eradicate nail fungus; it has to grow to a point it will take to clip off a fully grown nail and regrow a new one.
Symptoms of Toenail Fungus
If you have thicker nails on either your toes or feet, which are becoming harder to clip, yellow in color and tend to crumble when you clipping them, chances are that you could be having toe nail fungus. At this point, the best course of action is to schedule an appointment with you physician to ascertain whether or not that is the problem.
Scheduling an appointment with a good doctor is the only way you are going to know how to handle the problem. There are different ways in which you can treat toe nail fungus. However, the method you choose depends on your body, the extent of the infection, your immune system and how committed you will be to the treatment.
Oral Medications
Some infections are beyond the normal drugs, which mean you need to take anti-fungal medication orally to combat the disorder. The most popular and effective medication that your physician may prescribe is Lamisil.
It is also good to incorporate over-the-counter ointments and creams that can be purchased at your local drug store. Your pharmacist will advise on the best kind of treatment. Most importantly, do not forget to mention if you are taking any prescription medication.
Laser Treatment
Laser treatment for toenail fungus is the most effective way of getting rid of toenail fungus. The procedure takes about 30 minutes and the best thing is that it is painless. Patients report feeling a warm sensation in the affected toes.