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Podiatrist Toronto, ON Sheldon H. Nadal D.P.M.
586 Eglinton Avenue E. Suite 501 Toronto, Ontario M4P1P2
Local: 416-486-9917 Toll free: (877) 456-3338

6 Reasons Why You Must Treat Fungal Toenails ASAP

6 Reasons Why You Must Treat Fungal Toenails ASAP!

Fungal toenails affect millions of Canadians each year. While they are not considered a debilitating condition, they can be uncomfortable, unsightly, and even painful. Although fungal toenail infections are treatable, most people ignore them, hoping they will go away, or worse still, hide them in the hope that no one will notice. However, not treating fungal toenails is a bad idea.

In this post, we list six of the top reasons you must treat fungal toenails as soon as possible.

     1. Fungal toenail infections can spread to other parts of your body. 

Fungal infections are notorious for spreading to other parts of the body. For example, a fungal toenail infection can jump to the hand’s nails and subsequently to the mouth or other vulnerable skin areas. Treating fungal toenail infections is the best way to prevent cross-infection.

     2. Fungal infections do not go away on their own.

Although fungal toenail infections may not seem aggressive, they are very resilient. No matter how much you wash and clean the area, they do not just go away without proper treatment. The best option is to see a podiatrist and get the right medication to eradicate the infection.

     3. Hiding them will only worsen the condition.

Funguses love dark, damp places. If kept hidden away in closed shoes all day, fungal toenails will not only not heal, but they can get worse. Besides getting the right treatment, podiatrists also recommend you air your feet regularly to prevent reoccurrence.

     4. Home remedies almost always never work.

The Internet is flush with home remedies that supposedly cure fungal toenails. Although such remedies work for some people some of the time, in most cases, the fungal infection recurs after a short time. For best results, podiatrists prescribe antifungal medications, either oral or topical, to effectively treat the condition.

     5. Fungal toenails easily recur.

Fungal toenails can easily recur, especially under two conditions: the treatment course is not completed, or reinfection occurs either from poor hygiene or through cross-infection (like from a pedicure). Promptly treating fungal toenails as soon as they occur is the only way to ensure effective treatment and prevent a recurrence.

     6. It takes time to eradicate fungal toenail infections.

The sooner fungal toenails are treated, the faster they will heal. Most fungal treatments last around three months, so if treatment is delayed, it only means that getting rid of the infection will take more time. As soon as you suspect you have a fungal toenail infection, schedule a visit with a podiatrist as soon as you can so you can start treatment quickly.

What are your treatment options?

Fungal toenails can be a nagging condition but, thankfully, a treatable one. If you already have an infection, your foot specialist will prescribe oral antifungal medication that you might take for up to three months. They may also recommend topical medications like antifungal sprays, creams, or powders.

Besides medication, your podiatrist will also recommend additional measures to keep the infection at bay, including:

  • Washing and thoroughly drying your feet daily
  • Using socks with breathable fabrics and changing them as soon as they get damp
  • Not going barefoot in public places like swimming pools and the beach
  • Keeping your toenails short and avoiding sharing clippers with others (to prevent cross-infection)
  • You may also benefit from laser treatment
  • There is a new treatment called photodynamic therapy which utilizes a special stain which is activated by a light source. This causes oxidization which can kill fungus
  • If you or your loved ones suffer from toenail fungus, contact the podiatrist, Sheldon Nadal, D.P.M at 416-486-9917 to find out which is the best treatment option for you





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