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A common question we get is: is toenail fungus contagious?
The simple answer to this question is YES.
So how can you prevent that from happening?
Toenail fungus is a condition that affects millions of Americans and millions of people around the world. The toenail gets infected when it comes into contact with the fungus. The symptoms include discoloration of the toe or finger nail. The nail may become thickened, discolored or even brittle. Most people seek medical attention because they don’t like the color of their nails.
How do you get fungus on your toenails or fingernails?
- Fungal infections of the toe and finger nails occur especially in people who frequent moist areas like swimming pools, swamps, locker rooms, especially when they walk barefooted.
- People who share personal items like bath towels, clippers
- People with Athlete’s foot can easily develop toenail or fingernail fungus
- Nail Salon customers – from the use of nail clippers which are not properly sterilized
How do I prevent spreading of toenail fungus to my fingernails or to other family members?
- Don’t walk barefooted in the house. You can easily spread it to other family members and this will make it very difficult to eradicate
- Avoid moist areas
- Keep your feet dry all the time
- Change your shoes and socks frequently
- And most importantly get treated.
Treatment Options:
- Topical Antifungal medications need to be applied daily for several months. The topical medications may not be able to penetrate the nail well
- Oral Antifungal medications. Many of these medications are toxic to the liver, so your doctor will need to check your liver enzymes before starting these medications and your liver enzymes will need to be monitored during treatment.
- Laser treatment for nail fungus. Some lasers are are approved by the FDA for speeding up the temporal clearing of your toenails or finger nails. Here is what your nails could look like after treatment:
Need treatment for Your Nail Fungus?
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