Unsightly Toenails? Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist
Wearing flip-flops and open-toed shoes helps us stay cool in the summertime. If you are someone that avoids exposing your toes due to their appearance or if you suffer from pain in your toenails, you may have a nail fungus.
A nail fungal infection may begin as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the nail fungus spreads deeper into your nail, it may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and develop crumbling edges. This may also lead to pain in your nails.
Microscopic organisms that cause infection live in warm, moist environments, including swimming pools, gyms and showers. They can invade your skin through tiny invisible cuts or through a small separation between your nail and nail bed. If your nails are continually exposed to warmth and moisture, it provides a perfect environment for the growth and spread of fungi. Infection with nail fungus occurs more in toenails than in fingernails because toenails are often confined in a dark, warm, moist environment inside your shoes — where fungi can thrive.
To avoid infection or keep it from spreading to other nails, let your feet breathe and expose them to air! Keep your nails short and always dry them thoroughly after bathing. Wear synthetic socks to keep your feet drier if your feet sweat excessively. Do not pick at the skin around your nails. Always wear shoes in public places. Make sure you are using a reputable nail salon that sterilizes their equipment and/or bring your own tools. Wash your hands after touching an infected nail.
Nail fungal infections are typically caused by a fungus that belongs to a group of fungi called dermatophytes. But yeasts and molds also can cause nail fungal infections. A dermatologist will typically examine your nails and may take a sample for lab analysis. Once the exact cause is determined, she can prescribe an appropriate remedy. This may include a prescription oral medication, an anti-fungal cream or a medicated lacquer.
Nail fungus can be difficult to treat and may be persistent, so it may require long term treatment. However, for most of my patients it is worth the effort. Its better to keep the fungus from spreading to other nails, to avoid possible pain if left untreated and to be able to bare your feet without embarrassment.
Tags: bay area dermatologist, fingernail, fungus, nail fungus, nail infection, san francisco dermatologist, toenail
This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 at 12:09 pm and is filed under Skin Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
