You'll discover that some topics are better left to private places, and admittedly toenail fungus has to be one of them. There are more people than you realize who contract this fungal condition. Any type of fungus that grows enough to develop into an infection needs to be attended to promptly. Failing to administer treatment to toenail fungus will result in a lot more issues including nail loss. This type of fungus is more common in toenails, but you can surely get it under your fingernailsas well. Higher humidity with little light promotes the development of this fungus, and that is why it is known as toenail fungus. Also bear in mind that this condition spreads very easily from person to person, or in community conditions.

You can see when it starts growing because the nail is going to have little spots that have a different color to it. It may show itself to be yellowish or white in color, and many usually think they just have dirt underneath their toenails. This discoloration is underneath the toenail, but it is impossible to clean. Therefore that is one way you can remember the symptoms of it. You can clean and scrape but the discolored look of the nail is not going to disappear. Most of us know what a smashed nail looks like, it tturns dark or black; that is what this will develop into. You can quickly stop the toenail fungus with a medication you can purchase at the store, or maybe have your doctor treat the fungus.

If the fungus is allowed to grow, then there will be additional complications. There is variation, but the nail itself is going to grow weaker and even turn thinner. Still, you'll see that there are people who have their nails thicken from the infection. Other signs are flaking of the nail, or the nails become chipped or damaged easily. Of course pretty soon the entire nail will probably fall away, which is extremely unwanted for anyone. All the while, as the result of the presence and growth of fungus, you will notice an unpleasant scent.

Regrettably there is a pain component linked to toenail fungus, and the more serious it becomes the more pain there is. What makes it difficult to see immediately is the fact that the fungus begins to amass and grow beneath the nail. It is the keratin that this fungus eats, and that is why the nail gets so weak. This fungus may develop in lighter places, like fingernails, but it does best underneath toenails because of the lower light. You can help prevent this from developing if you take good care of your nails, and avoid wearing too tight shoes day in and day out. Optimum growth conditions may occur due to a skin pH that is outside of what is typical.

More often than not, you can arrest toenail fungus from forming in the first place through proper hygiene and nail care. Since toenail fungus is communicable, then you should take care in public places that are wet such as pools and locker rooms at gyms and wellness facilities. Oral and topical skin remedies can be purchased without prescription that are efficacious.