Foot fungus can plague you even during the colder months. The right approach to discourage the toenail infection is to limit the conditions welcoming to the foot fungus. Foot fungus or onychomycosis thrives in dark, humid conditions. Wearing moist shoes left in dark, damp places and forgetting to wear shower slippers in the gym or swimming pool can give a chance for the foot fungus to grow. The fungal infection causes discoloration of the toenail to yellow and turns the nails thick and brittle. Though infected nails can undermine your confidence if left untreated, the fungus can destroy the nail and cause pain and inflammation in the surrounding nail bed.
The risk of a person developing foot fungus increases with the involvement of the following factors:
The physical symptoms may not be enough to diagnose a case of foot fungus. Some other infections and conditions may share the same signs with the foot fungus. For example, discoloration and stress lines from a stubbed toe may seem like a fungal toenail. Consulting a professional foot doctor can save you time and effort in getting the correct diagnosis and timely treatment.
The treatment of the foot fungus varies according to the type of fungus and the severity of the infection. A Podiatrist will know the best treatment route for your situation. A fungal toenail should be treated as soon as possible to reduce the chance of it worsening. For the treatment and diagnosis of foot fungus, you can contact the office of Dr. John C. Marzano of Westchester Podiatric Healing Medicine, P.C., in Yonkers, NY, to schedule a consultation. Located in Yonkers, NY, you can find us at 984 N. Broadway, Suite LL03, Yonkers, NY 10701.