What Happens If A Fungal Nail Infection Is Untreated?

Apr 29, 2018 Fungal Nail Infection

A fungal nail infection on the toe is easy to hide so we only worry about it when it is sandal season.  For most people, a fungal nail infection results in crusty, thick and unsightly nails that are more of an inconvenience than a concern. We seem to think that an infection on our nails is nothing serious and merely an inconvenience. Many of us walk around with yucky toenails without considering the health implications. For many, the fungal nail infection remains the same not getting any worse or better.  Some people find the damage to the nail starts to affect their walking and spreads to other nails.  Others are not so lucky and the infection spreads to other parts of the body causing athlete's foot or ‘Jock Crotch’.  It also infects skin causing cellulitis which causes the skin to swell up and requires antibiotics to treat it. People with diabetes, taking immunosuppressants, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease or AIDs are more prone to fungal nail infection. Diabetics have to be particularly vigilant because extreme cases may result in gangrene and ultimately amputation. People with these conditions must visit their doctor regularly to monitor their nails.

What Causes Fungal Nail Infections?

A fungal nail infection occurs on your fingers and toenails.  The main causes are sweaty shoes, sharing towels, other people’s shoes and communal showers.  This type of infection is not contagious so you can’t catch it by standing next to someone with an infection.  At first, the damage to your nail is minor and involves slight discolouration at the edges of the nail. As the infection progresses the nail gets thicker and yellowy.  Eventually, the nail disintegrates and bits of nail start falling off. Your toe is likely to become more sensitive and walking gets more uncomfortable so getting treatment is important. You can prevent fungal nail infections by throwing out old shoes, not sharing towels or nail clippers.  Treatment includes; antifungal tablets and creams which soften the nails and destroys the infection. The infection is gone when a healthy nail grows in the nail bed.

Why Nail Lacquer Is Better Than Cream

The principle behind fungal nail cream is great but it has one major downside.  Cream washes off easily and becomes extremely ineffective. Loceryl is a fungal nail lacquer which is very effective because it doesn’t wash off.  Before using Loceryl you file the surface of the nail to prepare it for the lacquer. You apply the lacquer using the applicator and let it dry allowing the medication to work without washing off.  Reapply the lacquer every few days remembering to keep the affected area clean and dry. Repeat treatment until a healthy nail emerges from the nail bed. If you have an underlying health condition such as diabetes you must seek medical advice otherwise it may get much worse.  Fungal nail infections are unsightly and don’t look good in flip-flops so treating them is important. If you would like to review or purchase treatment for fungal nail infection please click here.