Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails. This ailment causes nails to thicken, discolor, disfigure, and split. At first glance, onychomycosis appears to be only a cosmetic concern. However, without treatment, the toenails can become abnormally thick forcing the nail to dig into the skin resulting in a infected ingrown toenail.
Initially, onychomycosis doesn't cause symptoms other than its cosmetic affect. However, if the disease continues to progress without treatment it will spread to multiple nails and may interfere with standing, walking, and exercising.
Onychomycosis is easily identified by its appearance. However, there are similar conditions and nail infections that can cause the nails to host a similar appearance as onychomycosis, therefore a proper diagnosis is very important. Treatments for this condition are:topical and/or oral medication, K-Laser nail treatment or Keryflex nail restoration.
Risk factors making one more susceptible to onychomycosis include:
Advancing age
Showering in communal showers—such as fitness clubs
Habitually wearing shoes that doesn't allow proper airflow
Treatment options vary along with the severity of the ailment. It's very important to address this problem as early as possible since the fungus infection can severly advance by the time the nails are beginning to change color and pain has occured.