Athletes Foot Toenail Infections
Athletes Foot Toenail Infections and What to Do about Them
There are a number of different types of athletes foot problems that you may be dealing with. The most common type of athlete's foot is found in between the toes and it may be associated with cracking or peeling skin, along with an itching or burning sensation.
Another type of athlete's foot, known as moccasin type athlete's foot is visible on the sides or the bottom of the feet. A less common type is athletes foot toenail infections and these can either occur on their own or they may be associated with another type of athlete's foot.
As with any type of fungal infection, you are going to need to take some kind of medication in order to get relief from athletes foot toenail infections. It is important for you to realize, however, that it may not be the fungus that causes athlete's foot which is also causing the toenail infection. Other types of fungus can also cause similar types of infections and all of them will cause the nail to discolor, thicken and in some cases, peel away from your foot altogether.
It is important for you to treat athletes foot toenail infections whenever you first recognize the problem and not to wait until the problem becomes so severe that the toenail falls away. There are some over-the-counter medications which are available for treating athletes foot toenail infections but you may need to go to your doctor in order to get something that is strong enough to handle it. He will be able to make a diagnosis or to send part of the toenail away to a laboratory in order to find out for sure what type of fungus is causing the problem.
Some of the treatments that may be available for athletes foot toenail infections would include oral medications that are prescribed by your doctor, or perhaps a toenail polish which is put onto the affected area. A combination of these two things may also be recommended by your doctor in order to have the most effect on the infection. It is also important to treat any secondary infections that may occur, such as a bacterial infection if the fungus has been allowed to grow to that extent.
While you are dealing with athletes foot toenail infections, it is important for you to isolate the nail from your other nails if at all possible. This type of fungus is easily spread in between your toenails and even, in some cases, to your fingernails. It is also important that you limit your exposure to areas which would cause additional infections to occur, such as communal showers.
Once the toenail infection has cleared, make sure that you do what is necessary in order for it not to return again. This would include keeping your feet dry, changing your socks regularly and making sure that your shoes are sprayed with an anti-fungal medication. By doing these things, you will ensure that you do not have the problem again.