Even though toenail fungus conjures all sorts of awful images, it is a serious condition that should be treated promptly. What may be startling is there are many people who develop this unpleasant fungal infection. Any type of fungus that grows enough to turn into an infection has to be treated rapidly. If you let the infection continue, then other problems could come up such as loss of finger and toenails. This fungus likewise could occur in your fingernails, although it is more common in toenails. Higher humidity with dim light promotes the development of this fungus, and that is why it is called toenail fungus. Also remember that this condition spreads very easily from one person to the next, or in community conditions.

Some of the first symptoms of toenail fungus is nail discoloration. In the beginning you may believe your nails merely need to be cleaned due to the stain. This discoloration is beneath the nail, but it can be difficult to clean. That inability to clean the infected nail is something you should remember. You can rubbing hard but the dirty appearance does not vanish. If you don't treat the nail, you are going to see your infected nail eventually grow very dark in color. You can quickly stop this fungus with a medication you can buy at the pharmacy, or maybe have your physician treat the infection.

You will quickly find yourself having more problems to deal with if this condition is ignored. There are various symptoms as things become more serious, and some people say they experience serious nail thinning. Nevertheless, in true variability with symptoms, quite a few people will develop thicker nails instead of thinner nails. Other indications are flaking of the nail, or the infected toenails are easily chipped and damaged. The outcome will be loss of the nail completely with serious instances. The affected toenail is going to start to smell terrible as the infection grows under the nail.

Unfortunately there is a pain factor associated with toenail fungus, and the more severe it becomes the more discomfort there is. This type of fungus actually grows on the nail bed, and that is the reason the initial symptoms are beneath the nail. What takes place is the fungus begins metabolizing the nail because it is feeding on the keratin protein within in the nail. On the average, toenail fungus survives extremely well in humid environments far from light. You can help keep this from occurring if you take good care of your nails, and avoid wearing excessively tight shoes all the time. An unusual pH of the skin for an excessive period may as well add to its growth.

More often than not, you can stop toenail fungus from developing in the first place through proper hygiene and nail care. However it is crucial that you realize that the fungus can spread from other people directly to you or from wet community conditions. Oral and topical skin cures are available with no prescription that are efficacious.