Who Suffers From Black Toenail Fungus?
Black toenail fungus is more common than you think. It's common among people who walk around barefoot in public places and also in athletes and people who are over the age of 65. Basically, anyone whose feet are damp and moist a lot is at a higher risk for black toenail fungus. If your job requires that your feet be constantly exposed to moisture, dry your feel regularly and change your socks frequently.
What are the Symptoms of Black Toenail Fungus?
Symptoms often include black spots on the toenail. Unfortunately there are many other reasons as to why someone might have black spots on their toenails. Athletes often experience bruising during games or if someone steps on their toes. Choosing to wear shoes without socks or wearing sandals, open-toed shoes or no shoes at all in public locker rooms, bathrooms and other similar places can be the reason why someone may suffer from black toenail fungus.
Fungus is found in warm damp places, which is why black toenail fungus is a common affliction. Fungus can enter through small cuts or openings around or underneath the toenail.
Treatments
Though you will find that there is a lot of information regarding over-the-counter treatments and home remedies for black toenail fungus, the odds of such treatments working to cure black toenail fungus are slim to none. Even if those treatments do work, they are not a cure and the toenail fungus is likely to return.
Seek out the advice and help of a certified healthcare provider for the best treatment options. Often times, we end up spending a lot of time and money on treatments with little to no results. Your doctor can take a sample of the infected toenail to determine exactly which type of fungus it's infected with and can then put you on the right course of treatment specific to that infection.
You may be given a topical treatment in conjunction with (or by itself) an oral medication. The right course of treatment should begin to work within two to four weeks, but it can be two or more months before the full results take effect.
Prevention
Since fungus thrives in moist places, the first obvious rule of prevention is to observe good hygiene, washing regularly, and making sure to thoroughly dry your feet after washing. Keeping your toenails trimmed, but not trimmed too short will also help in preventing black toenail fungus because you are less likely to create small cuts near or under the toenail.
Avoid walking barefoot in public and change your socks often. Talc and other drying powders can be helpful in keeping moisture levels down. Be sure to wash your shoes regularly if possible, but make sure they are completely dry before wearing them again.
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