Nail fungus refers to an infection affecting the nail, usually on the toes. It presents as white or yellow discoloration on the tip or side of the nail. You might feel self-conscious about the way that this condition makes your feet appear, but the fungus can pose a major threat to your foot health as well.
A podiatrist can evaluate your condition and find a treatment that will clear up this fungus and restore your foot and nail health. You might benefit from a topical treatment, oral medication, or laser procedure to get rid of toenail fungus.
However, some people may wonder if visiting your foot doctor for this issue is worth the hassle. The answer is yes, you should seek treatment for fungus as soon as you can.
You may feel more encouraged to pursue the treatment that you need when you understand the risks of untreated nail fungus. Read on to find three reasons why you should seek urgent attention from a podiatrist to treat toenail fungus.
Toenail Fungus Does Not Go Away On Its Own
Some patients may try to get rid of fungus on their toenails on their own. They may file away the damaged part of the nail or apply over-the-counter products or homemade solutions to the toe. These efforts might control the fungus somewhat, but you will need targeted fungal treatments to kill the fungus for good.
Toenail fungus will not go away without intervention from a medical professional. Sometimes a patient may think they got rid of the fungus only to have it come back.
This is because the fungus can penetrate many layers of the skin and nail so it is difficult to destroy the infection completely. For this reason, you should seek evaluation from a foot doctor for full eradication.
Nail Fungus Is Contagious
Without treatment, nail fungus will spread across the toenail. The fungus can also transfer to socks and shoes, which can then put your other nails in danger of infection. Nail fungus is contagious enough that you could spread it to another person as well if you are not careful.
To stop the spread of the fungus, do not delay treatment from your podiatrist. Call your foot doctor for an evaluation of your condition to find the optimal fungal treatment option for your unique case.
Fungus Can Lead to Irreversible Nail Damage
Untreated nail fungus could damage your toenail irreversibly. The nail might fall off, and while nails could grow back in many cases, they might not grow into place in the same way.
Nail fungus could also create health complications beyond your feet. If the fungus reaches a small cut or ingrown hair in the toes, the infection will reach your bloodstream and lead to serious issues with your skin and other systemic concerns.
Patients with compromised immune systems can have a higher risk of this problem. So to avoid further medical concerns, talk to your podiatrist right away about signs of toenail fungus.