Call for an appointment

Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus, also called onychomycosis or tinea unguium, is an infection below the surface of the nail caused by contact with different types of fungi. Nail fungus usually begins with white or yellow spots under the tip of the toenails. If left untreated, the infection can grow deeper, which can cause the nail to become weak or brittle to the point that it eventually may fall off.

Types of Common Fungal Nail Infections

In general, there are four types of fungal infections that affect the toes. These include:

  • Distal subungual onychomycosis (DSO): This is the most commonly diagnosed and treated fungal infection. Also known as Athlete’s Foot, this infection spreads across the nail bed, causing the nail to become discolored and weak.
  • White superficial onychomycosis (WSO): Far less common than Athlete’s Foot, WSO causes white patches to appear across the entire nail.
  • Candida onychomycosis: This chronic fungus is usually caused by trauma, and it causes the toenails to become bulbous or enlarged.
  • Proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO): This fungal infection causes yellow or white spots to appear near the base of the toenail.

Signs & Symptoms of Toenail Fungus

Because there are varying types and levels of severity for toenail fungus, it’s important to have your condition diagnosed by a podiatric physician. If you are worried that you might be suffering from a fungal infection in your nails, perform a self-evaluation to look for the following common symptoms:

  • Scaling under the nail
  • Distorted nail
  • White or yellow streaks on the nail
  • Foul odor from the infected nail
  • Crumbling corner or tip of nail
  • Flaking white areas on the toenail’s surface
  • Loss of the nail
  • Thickening of the nail

How are Fungal Nail Infections Treated?

Depending on the severity of your condition, treatment isn’t always necessary. However, because fungal infection can be contagious, treatment is recommended. Fungal infections can spread to others and depending on the type of fungus, it can also spread to infect your other toe nails.

For mild cases of toenail fungus, your doctor will likely start with conservative treatments. These may include prescription anti-fungal oral medications or topical solutions. For patients who exhibit severe symptoms, or for those who do not respond to medication, the doctor may recommend nail avulsion surgery. During this procedure, the nail plate is removed either temporarily or permanently.

Contact your podiatrist for more information or to schedule a consultation.

Office Hours
Monday
8:00am
4:00pm
Tuesday
8:00am
4:00pm
Wednesday
8:00am
4:00pm
Thursday
8:00am
4:00pm
Friday
8:00am
1:00pm

Office Location

Looking Glass Foot and Ankle Center, PC