Toe Nail Fungus: How to spot it, treat it and keep it from coming back

Though it may not be fun to talk about, toe nail fungus is among the most common foot problems. And while the changes it causes to the toe nail are not pretty, the most dangerous part of toe nail fungus is what it can do when left untreated. Here you'll learn the symptoms of toe nail fungus, your treatment options and preventative measures to avoid future infections.

What is toe nail fungus?

It's an infection caused by the onychomycosis fungus. This group of fungi feed on the hard keratin protein in your toe nail. Because the likelihood of developing toe nail fungus increases with age, approximately 48% of people will have at least one infected nail by the time they reach age 70.

How do I know if I have toe nail fungus?

Because your feet spend most of their lives in dark, moist, enclosed spaces, toe nail fungus is very common. Symptoms included a yellow or brown discoloring of the toe nail and flaking or thick toe nails. People with toe nail fungus may also notice an unpleasant smell from toe nail clippings. Though these symptoms seem purely cosmetic, if toe nail fungus goes untreated, it could spread and even lead to painful infections in the nail bed.

How do I treat toe nail fungus?

Because toe nail fungus is unlikely to heal on its own, it's important to seek treatment. Your doctor may begin by removing the infected nail and applying an anti-fungal medication to the nail bed. Since toe nail fungus resides under the nail, it's hard for topical anti-fungal treatments to reach the toe nail fungus without removing the nail. But if the infection is mild, you can sometimes use a medicated nail polish to take care of the toe nail fungus. Doctors can also prescribe prescription pills that kill the toe nail fungus over a period of months.

How do I prevent toe nail fungus?

• Wear shoes with plenty of toe room.
• Wear natural fiber socks and hosiery – synthetics may make it harder for toes to “breathe.”
• Don't polish your toes excessively.
• Wear flip-flops in public showers
• Keep your toe nails trimmed
• Keep socks, hosiery and pedicure tools clean

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