The best toenail fungus treatment options for quick relief
Keeping the body clean is important to lead a healthy life. The nails are one of the exposed parts of the human body that can get a fungal infection. This can happen by not cleaning or maintaining the nails properly. The nails look dirty and yellow when a fungal infection affects them, and it is recommended to get it treated right away, as the infection can spread to other parts as well. Toenail fungal infection affects 10 percent of the adult population, and males are affected more than females. Older people are more prone to toenail fungus infection.

If you or someone you know has toenail fungus, here are a few details that will tell you everything about the best toenail fungus treatment.

What is toenail fungus infection?

• Toenail fungus infection is known as onychomycosis.
• The nail gets discolored and looks yellow when fungus infects it. Toenails and fingernails are the first to be infected in onychomycosis.
• This fungal infection can get serious by causing cellulitis of the lower leg in some cases.

What are the different types of toenail fungus infection?
The four types of onychomycosis are as listed:

• Distal subungual onychomycosis : This is the most common type of infection caused by Trichophyton rubrum, which infects the nail bed.
• White superficial onychomycosis : This is caused by infection to layers of the nail plate by the fungus to form white islands. This type of infection accounts for 10 percent of onychomycosis.
• Proximal subungual onychomycosis : This is caused by the penetration of the fungus in the new nail plate through the proximal nail fold. It is the least common type of onychomycosis.
• Candidal onychomycosis : The Candida pathogen can infect the fingernails and cause infection. It commonly affects people who immerse their hands in water more frequently. If the nails have prior damage, Candida pathogen can infect them easily.

What are the causes of toenail fungus infection?
The pathogens in the fungal kingdom such as dermatophytes, Candida, nondermatophytic molds, etc. are the main causes of fungal infection in toenails. Below are a few details:

• Dermatophytes : Trichophyton rubrum is the dermatophyte that causes fungal infection. Other dermatophytes such as T. tonsurans, T. violaceum, T. soudanense, microsporum gypseum etc. can also infect toenails.
• Other pathogens : Pathogens such as Candida, Scytalidium, Aspergillus, Scopulariopsis, etc. can infect the toenails and cause infection. If hands are submerged in water quite often, Candida pathogen is the most likely to cause a fungal infection. There are many other molds that infect people over 60 years of age, as the nails become weak to fight a fungal infection by then.
• Aging : Due to aging, the blood circulation reduces and hence the nail becomes weak and more prone to fungal infection.
• Heavy perspiring : Spending more time in a humid environment, wearing socks that prevent ventilation, walking barefoot in damp places, having athlete’s foot etc. are other reasons that can increase the probability of a fungal infection.

What are the symptoms of a toenail fungus infection?
The symptoms of toenail fungal infection are as follows:

• The nail becomes thick and discolored. The color can be white, yellow, black, or green.
• The nail can also become brittle and break piece by piece.
• The skin around and below the infected nail can swell and become painful.
• Yellow patches can be seen around the nail bed.
• The skin can become scaly and a foul smell emanates from it.

How can a toenail fungus infection be diagnosed and treated?
Toenail fungal infection is diagnosed based on the appearance and laboratory tests of the nail scrapings. The four main tests performed to diagnose it are as listed:

• Potassium hydroxide smear
• Histology examination
• Polymerase chain reaction
• Culture

Toenail fungal infection can be treated in the following ways:

• Oral antifungal drugs : These drugs are the most effective in clearing the nails and are the best toenail fungus – treatment.
• Medicated nail polish : Antifungal nail polish such as ciclopirox is a toenail fungus – treatment that can be prescribed by the doctor to treat the infection.
• Medicated nail cream : Antifungal creams are also effective in treating the fungal infection.