What is nail fungus?
Nail fungus is a nail infection that will cause your nail to become yellow, thick and friable. Because it is an infection of the nail bed itself, it stays in your nail even though you cut away the affected part. Aside from the aesthetic problem, it is also a health issue – left untreated, it can easily spread to the entire nail and contaminate other nails.
Toenails can take up to a year to grow back completely. Therefore, treatment for nail fungus can take a long time. This is why it is crucial to start treatment as early as possible if you suspect you have a nail fungus infection.
What causes nail fungus?
The main cause of nail fungus is the presence of a fungus inside your nail bed. It can easily spread around if you use the same nail clippers on your other toenails and/or share clippers with someone with nail fungus. Fungus thrives with the humidity and the darkness of a closed toe shoe. Therefore, it is normal to see your nail fungus spread more during winter.
Fungal infections can start on your skin and work its way up to your nails. They can also affect your skin after affecting your nails. This is why it is important to verify the bottom of your feet and in between your toes for a skin fungus infection.
