Toenail fungus is an infection which causes the toenails to become unusually thick and yellowish in color. It is estimated that to date, the percentage of population with toenail fungus stands at about 10 percent of the overall population.
Understanding Onychomycosis
The condition is also known as onychomycosis and is a relatively common condition which attacks and destroys the toenails, with the big toe and the little toe being the ones prone to more attacks. As the name suggests, this condition is caused by any number of the many types of fungi which usually grow in moist and warm environments such as your shoes.
As these funguses grow, they usually attack on a protein known as cretin by feeding on it. The end result is that the nail loses its hardness on the surface. Fortunately, this condition is rare in children, though the probability of contracting it increases with age.
Symptoms of Toenail Fungus
The main symptom associated with this condition is that the toenail becomes discolored, by either being yellow or brown in color. As stated earlier, it also grows really thick thus tends to appear as being overgrown.
As the fungus spreads, you may get a whiff of a pungent smell emanating from underneath the toenail. When treatment is not sought soon enough, the nail crumbles and later on completely falls off. This makes wearing shoes painful and uncomfortable.
Laser Treatment As An Effective Cure
Luckily, there are several cures one can use in the treatment of this terrible disease. Among the most effective and quickest way to cure this condition is through the laser treatment method. The treatment works by use of what is known as a Q switched laser which is the most cutting edge dermatological laser tool.
In a split second, an impulse of the high powered laser is passed through the nail bed area which essentially does not cause any damage to the nail and surrounding tissue. During this procedure, there are no visible changes so do not panic as the change will become visible only when the nail starts to grow. This typically takes between 8 to 12 months.
Alternative Treatment Options
The other option is rather simple, though it depends on the extent to which the infection has spread. The nail is trimmed and then filed carefully. This can either be done by a qualified podiatrist or at home. Should the infection be localized, a doctor may prescribe good old nail polish which contains ciclopirox or amorolfine, coupled with some oral pills.
Alternatively, the doctor may also recommend a more topical treatment such as an anti-fungal cream, which is much more effective should you detect the condition much sooner. It should be noted that many topical and oral remedies may not cure the root problem of the fungus which may result in a recurrence. Thanks to such medical options, the overall percentage of the population with toenail fungus has been reduced significantly, with greater strides expected in the future.
