Toenail fungus is not something that most people want to get. Unfortunately, it is a problem that is very common. Each day, thousands deal with the shame that stems from having unsightly, thick toenails.
Out of all the different nail problems, 50 percent of these issues involve some form of nail fungus. This issue can affect the whole nail, or in some cases, it only affects a part of the toenail.
Most fungal nail infections involve adults. Men are more likely to end up with the fungus than women.
What Does It Do?
There is no doubt that nails infected with fungus look unsightly. In many cases, this is understatement. Some people who have infected nails experience frequent pain, while others experience no pain at all. The symptoms caused by toenail fungus vary from one case to another.
Fortunately, nail fungus can be treated and cured. But, the problem is the length of time required for treatment. Due to the slow speed of toenail growth, it can take a significant amount of time to cure the fungus.
The severity of the infection is one of the major factors that will determine how long it takes to kill the fungus.
A severe infection will likely need both oral and topical treatments. The oral medications also come with a long list of side effects.
What Happens If Toenail Fungus Goes Untreated?
Many people who ask this question have a severe case of fungus. But, some people are not in such a dire situation and want to know just how bad the fungus can get. In the majority of cases, nothing serious will result from untreated toenail fungus.
Letting the fungus go untreated won’t kill you. But anyone who has any fungus should get treatment immediately. If left untreated, even a mild case of nail fungus can make its way to the toenail cuticle. This causes the whole toenail to become inflamed, discolored and thick.
At some point, toenails infected by the fungus will begin to grow away from their nail bed. Although it is extremely rare, there is a chance that the fungus will spread to other body parts. Anyone who has diabetes or undergoes chemotherapy is at a greater risk for nail fungus.
How Bad Can It Get?
In a worst-case scenario, the fungus will spread to other nails, and the infection in each nail will get worse.
Some people start with a small portion of a single infected nail. After a year or two of no treatment, the tiny bit of fungus will consume all 10 toenails.
Although it is quite rare, there is the chance that the fungus will also spread to the fingernails. Fortunately, it is unlikely that the fungus will cause other health problems. It should have no impact on your health.
Will It Go Away On Its Own?
The sad reality is that toenail fungus will not go away on its own. Once it has reared its ugly head, it can only be removed with proper treatment.
For minor infections, such as a tiny portion of a single toenail, the fungus can be treated with topical solutions. But, once the fungus penetrates deep into the nail, it’s likely that both oral and topical treatments are in order.
The worst part of having toenail fungus is the fact that it looks horrible, which can drag down a person’s self-esteem. Although it is a physical condition, nail fungus can produce many negative emotions. Get treatment immediately.
