Is a toenail’s change in color nothing more than discoloration? Women think, ”just put nail polish on it and no one will see it.” The problem is that it is probably a fungal infection. If so, it needs to be treated.
The change in color is usually the sign of a disease that may take months to control, if it is not treated in its early stages. What you are experiencing is an infection underneath the surface of the nail, which can also penetrate the nail. If you ignore it, the infection could eventually inhibit your ability to walk. This can happen because thickening of the nail often occurs at the same time making it difficult to trim. A fungal infection may also concurrently appear with a secondary yeast and/or bacterial infection in or around the nail plate.
A daily cleansing may temporarily slow mild infections. You can file off the white markings on the surface of the nail. Follow this with the application of an over-the-counter antifungal agent. Even the best over-the-counter treatments, however, usually fail to prevent the infection from recurring. You need to see your podiatrist when the infection reappears.
Your podiatrist will develop a treatment plan for you. This may consist of topical or oral medication. It may also include removal of the diseased nail matter and debris. In some cases, surgical treatment is necessary. If your podiatrist performs a temporary removal of the nail, he will then be able to apply a topical antifungal medication. He can cure the fungal infection and prevent the return of a deformed nail by permanently removing the continually painful nail that has not responded to other treatment.
Trying to solve the problem without the help of a podiatrist can lead to serious problems. With today’s technological advances, in combination with simple preventative measures, you have no reason not to consult with your podiatrist.
Dr. Robert Abrams, DPM, is medical director of the FootCare Center of Santa Clarita. He can be reached at 661-253-3668. You can also visit his web site at www.killerfeet.net .