How to Catch Nail Fungus Early

The Earliest Signs of a Fungal Toenail Infection

Nail fungus can be quite subtle. During the infection’s initial stages, there may be no noticeable symptoms, making diagnosing it difficult. Chances are, by the time you’re detecting any signs, the fungus has already rooted itself deeply into the toenails and has been there for some time. It is imperative to take prompt action to prevent further damage.

That said, below are a few early signs to look out for if you suspect you have toenail fungus:

• Discoloration of the toenail: The nail can turn extremely white, yellow, green, or black. Depending on the fungus’s duration under your toenails, the discoloration can show as streaks or spots or affect the entire nail.
• Distortion of the nail: Nail fungus can also alter your toenails’ texture and shape. For example, it might cause nail flaking or thickening.
• Weakening of nails: As the infection progresses, it can weaken and make your toenails crumbly and brittle. As a result, parts of the nails may break off or flake.
• Discomfort: Another common sign is painful toenails when you put on closed shoes or walk slightly longer distances. Sometimes, this may lead to itching, swelling, reddening, or cracking of the skin surrounding the toenail.
• Foot odor: If you don’t notice toenail fungus early enough, it might affect the skin beneath your nails and cause foot odor. Similarly, it can spread to the area between your toes, and develop into athlete’s foot.

The spots and streaks can be a particularly tricky symptom, as such marks can appear when you have bumped your toe against something as well.

The best way to tell the difference between nail trauma and a fungal infection is to keep an eye on the marks for a while. Marks from a nail injury will eventually fade or grow out as the nail does. Spots and streaks from a fungal infection, however, will gradually change shape and grow.

If you are uncertain of your symptoms, it is never a bad idea to err on the side of caution and have them checked out anyway. Even if it doesn’t turn out to be a fungal infection, you’ll at least have the peace of mind of knowing.

What if I Have Later Stages of Toenail Fungus?

Are your toenails already weak, extremely thick, crumbly, and discolored? Don’t fret — our experts can help you manage and recover from these conditions. We’ve helped hundreds of clients like you get their perfect toenails back.

One of the treatment methods that most people find helpful is laser treatment. This non-invasive technique involves directing laser beams to the affected toenails to kill the fungus without harming the surrounding tissues.

Laser treatment is able to pass through nail tissue and hit a fungal infection right at the source. Topical medications, on the other hand, can have more trouble reaching the underlying infection. And oral anti-fungal medications, while able to treat the problem from the inside out, can sometimes come with side effects that don’t make them recommended for certain patients. (However, we might still recommend one of these treatments instead of or alongside laser treatment, depending on the specific circumstances surrounding a case.)

Depending on your condition’s severity, you might require 3-4 sessions that typically take a few weeks or months. These sessions don’t cause any burning and rarely cause any pain – most patients will feel a warming sensation and nothing more.

Although laser treatment can be very effective at eliminating the fungus, you should not expect your nails to look perfect immediately after the final session. Although the fungus may be gone, the damage it left to the nails will remain until fresh, clear nails can grow out to replace it. Full results may take anywhere from 6-12 months to see.