If you’ve noticed your toenails changing in color, texture and thickness, you may be experiencing toenail fungus. It’s often accompanied by other infections, such as athlete’s foot, jock itch in the groin, or, less commonly, infection of the fingernails. Toenail fungus occurs when a microorganism called a dermatophyte finds its way between the toenail and bed through skin damage, such as a cut or crack.
A dermatophyte is a type of mold that needs keratin to grow—the material that gives your nails structure. Since your feet are often in warm, moist environments like shoes and socks, it provides the fungus with an optimal growing environment. Read on to learn all about toenail fungus, including:
- What does toenail fungus look like? Toenail fungus pictures and more
- Does peroxide kill toenail fungus? What to know about toenail fungus treatment at home
- What to expect when visiting a dermatologist for toenail fungus
What does toenail fungus look like? Toenail fungus pictures and more
The appearance of nail fungus varies from person to person, but it has some common characteristics. Be on the lookout for the symptoms below, as shown in these toenail fungus pictures:
- The nail appears white, yellow or brown
- Nail discoloration spreading
- Debris under the nail
- Nails separating from the nailbed
- A soft, dry or powdery nail texture
- Thinning or thickening nails
The likelihood of getting toenail fungus increases for those with athlete’s foot, psoriasis, a weakened immune system, poor circulation, diabetes, cancer or injury. It’s also more likely for someone to experience toenail fungus if they walk barefoot in places like locker rooms or pools, have sweaty feet, spend a lot of time in water or share infected nail clippers.
Toenail fungus is quite common and can affect people of any age, though it becomes more common the older you get. It’s estimated that one in two people older than seventy are affected by it at any given time.
Does peroxide kill toenail fungus? What to know about Toenail fungus treatment at home
You may have come across articles recommending at-home toenail fungus treatments such as soaking the feet and affected nails in Listerine, tea tree oil or hydrogen peroxide. However, these treatments are only slightly effective.
Trying toenail fungus treatment at home will only delay proper care and often the delay in treatment means that the fungus is so far gone that medicines won’t succeed by the time you get to a dermatologist. “The goal is to get to the dermatologist early, so there is a chance of success because once the nails become overly infected or deformed, it’s much harder to treat,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joel Schlessinger says.
While options for toenail fungus treatment at home may appear to provide temporary relief, they usually do not treat the core of the issue, which leads to recurring infections, worsening symptoms and skin irritation.
This means the avoidance of dirty gyms, showers and pool areas where people go without socks and often leave fungus as a ‘gift’ to others. Also, don’t forget that once the fungus is cured, it’s important to throw out your shoes that almost certainly still have fungus in them. At the very least, get fungal powder to put in them if they are special to you and apply it liberally!
In fact, even though social media abounds with recommendations for laser treatment for toenail fungus, they can be ineffective too. “For a laser to work on toenail fungus, the energy of the laser has to be so high that it makes it painful enough for most people to avoid it,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says. That’s why seeing a board-certified dermatologist is essential when it comes to toenail fungus treatment.
What to expect when visiting a dermatologist for toenail fungus
“Since toenail fungus is usually accompanied by a skin infection like athlete’s foot,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, “the skin must also be examined in addition to the affected nails. This type of fungus and corresponding skin infection may be overlooked as something unserious, but left untreated, it can cause the skin on the legs and feet to break down, increasing the risk of other serious infections such as cellulitis.”
After the dermatologist has examined your nails and skin, they may take samples for further examination to determine the source of the issue. Your dermatologist will most likely recommend antifungal pills, often in combination with topical medications. “While toenail fungus is relatively simple to treat, it’s not always quick and easy,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says. “It can take anywhere from three to six months or more of using oral medications and topical treatments to see results.”
“The organisms that cause toenail fungus are becoming harder to eradicate. Sadly, many of the available prescription medications have become less effective, but they are definitely more effective than over-the-counter remedies. In fact, we see many people who have tried all the folk remedies and come to us with toenail fungus that has become nearly impossible to treat.”
While the process may take time, working with a board-certified dermatologist to address toenail fungus is your best course of action. Drs. Joel and Daniel Schlessinger have a vast knowledge of the best approaches and can help you get rid of toenail fungus for good. If you’re ready to address it, visit our appointment portal to schedule a time to see them.