Toenail fungus is surely not a good topic for discussion when you're eating. What may be surprising is there are millions of people who get this unsightly fungal infection. Since this is a fungus infection that has become more severe, it should be taken seriously and treated. If you let the infection continue, then additional problems may appear such as loss of finger and toenails. This kind of fungus commonly develops in toenails, but it may certainly get it under your fingernailsas well. Higher humidity with low light encourages the growth of this fungus, and that is the reasin it is known as toenail fungus. Toenail fungus also have to be treated because it is communicable not only to other people but can spread in your body.

The affected nail will get a different color to it in the beginning stages. It may appear to be yellowish or white in appearance, and people usually think they merely have grime underneath their toenails. An obvious giveaway with it, though, is those spots cannot be cleaned away. And so that is one way you can remember the signs of it. You can clean and scrape but the stained look of the nail is not going to go away. As the infection becomes more serious, then the nail could turn totally blackish or brownish in color. You can rapidly treat the toenail fungus with a medication you can purchase at the pharmacy, or possibly have your health care provider treat the infection.

You will quickly find yourself having more issues to deal with if you don't have the toenail fungus treated. There are a variety of symptoms as things become severe, and others have severe nail thinning. On the other hand, you'll see that there are people whose nails become thicker as a result of the infection. But no matter what, the infected toenail will turn weaker and can begin breaking off here and there. Of course eventually the entire nail is going to fall off, which is highly unwanted for anyone. One more symptom as the infection progresses is a slightly foul odor given off by the infected toenail.

Other signs include pain which can be a serious issue with toenails and putting on shoes. What makes it tough to pick out right away is the fact that the fungus begins to accumulate and develop underneath the nail. It is the keratin that the toenail fungus eats, and that is why the nail becomes very weak. Usually, toenail fungus survives extremely well in damp places away from light. Some of the more common causes of toenail fungus can be poor nail hygiene or even constantly wearing shoes that fit too tightly. Optimum growth conditions may occur as a result of a skin pH that is outside of what is normal.

You can generally stop toenail fungus from forming in the first place through proper hygiene and nail care. However it is important to know that the fungus can spread from others directly to you or from wet community conditions. But you can easily and quickly take drugs by mouth or apply it directly to the infected nail.