How Toenail Fungus Can Affect Your Health if Left Untreated

Fungal infection of the nails is one of the most ignored conditions that affect many people. It commonly begins as an inconsequential complaint, but if left untreated, it may cause many health complications. What is toenail fungus? How does it impact you, and why should you get treated?

What is Toenail Fungus?

Onychomycosis, also known as toenail fungus, is a fungal infection that develops on toenails. It usually begins when fungi grow in or under the toenail. It prefers warm, moist conditions and is caused by things such as sweaty socks or shoes. It can take time for the infection to worsen and affect the nail itself by turning it yellow, becoming thick and weak.

The Symptoms of Toenail Fungus

How do you know if you have toenail fungus? Here are the common signs:

Discoloration: Your toenail can become yellow, white, or brown.
Thickening: The nail may thicken and become brittle and hard to manage, especially when it comes to cutting or trimming.
Brittleness: The nail may become fragile or begin to split all over the place.
Distorted Shape: It may look abnormal or else the nail may begin to grow separately from the nail bed.
Foul Odor: Most patients can feel a bad smell coming from the infected toenail.

If you have any of these signs, then that means you must seek medical help before it gets to this stage.

How Toenail Fungus Can Affect Your Health

Toenail fungus might seem like a small issue at first, but if left untreated, it can lead to bigger health problems. Here’s how:

1. Spread of Infection

It can then infect other nails and, in some cases, other parts of the body, with the affected area becoming red and inflamed. If it is not treated, the infection does not necessarily remain localized in one toe. It might affect the skin around the affected area or even your hand if you develop the habit of scratching the affected part.

2. Pain and Discomfort

Toenail fungus can make walking painful. Since the nail becomes thickened and brittle, it may cause discomfort in your shoes or even sharp pains. Eventually, if the nail becomes severely infected, it may detach from its base, causing further discomfort with subsequent inflammation.

3. Increased Risk for Diabetics

Individuals with diabetes are more prone to severe reactions to toenail fungus. Diabetes affects blood circulation and the immune system thereby complicating your body’s ability to combat infections. An untreated fungal infection can cause more severe problems with an infection of the skin and the tissues beneath it.

4. Cellulitis (Skin Infection)

Fungus nails can lead to cellulite when it affects the skin of the feet that it belongs to to affect the skin in general. This condition brings about the formation of redness, swelling and warmth in the affected part. If left untreated cellulitis can progress to cause further infection and sepsis in some instances.

5. Foot Deformities

If left untreated, toenail fungus can lead to deformities in your feet, especially if left for several years. Thickened nails and infection can distort the shape of your toes, making it difficult to walk or stand properly. Often, you may end up having other foot complications which include hammertoes or bunions because of the pressure exerted by the fungus.

6. Reduced Quality of Life

The discomfort and embarrassment caused by toenail fungus can affect your confidence and your daily life. You may be reluctant to wear sandals or go barefoot, and activities like exercising, swimming, or even socializing may become less enjoyable.

7. Chronic Infection

If left untreated for too long, toenail fungus can become chronic. In some cases, it may never fully go away. The infection may continue to flare up, causing ongoing issues and requiring more extensive treatment to manage.

8. Weakened Immune System

A weakened immune system that results from disease like HIV, cancer, or autoimmune diseases or recipients of organ transplant will not be able to fight fungus expressly. From the patient’s perspective, toenail fungus could result in further severe and chronic infections that are difficult to treat in such individuals and will overall harm his health.

Why Treating Toenail Fungus is Important

Knowing these risks, it becomes very apparent that a treatment for toenail fungus is necessary. If the infection is treated early it will not cause other illnesses that are associated with the infection.

Early Treatment Prevents Spread: If you ignore the toenail fungus in its early stages, it will progress to the neighboring nails and in the worst-case scenario, other extremities of the affected body.
Minimize Pain and Discomfort: All these symptoms are normally experienced and are also reduced if the disease is detected early and therefore patients are able to carry out their normal activities.
Avoid Long-Term Damage: This infection can cause the alteration or complete loss of nails in the toes, loss or alteration of the skin on your feet and much more in the long-run.
Boost Confidence: Once the infection has been taken care of, the person can regain a healthy nail condition and this gives confidence.

How Laser Therapy Can Help Treat Toenail Fungus

At Restore Podiatry, we offer advanced laser treatments to fight toenail fungus. Laser therapy is fast, safe, and effective. It is a non-invasive option that works better than traditional treatments.

Types of Laser Treatments at Restore Podiatry

Class-4 Laser Therapy

This laser targets the toenail and surrounding tissues. It destroys fungus quickly and painlessly. There is no downtime.

Nd: YAG Laser Therapy

Our Nd:YAG laser delivers powerful antifungal energy. It reaches deep into the nail bed. This treatment is great for tough infections.

Class-2 Laser Therapy

Class-2 lasers are ideal for mild-moderate fungal infection. They are not aggressive towards the nail surface and the tissues beneath.

High-Power Laser Therapy (HPLT)

HPLT employs strong laser energy and is in a position to penetrate through the thickened nail. It acts on severe fungal infections with skin, hair, and nails. The treatment is quick, easy, and aimed at the regrowth of healthy nails.

High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT)

HILT sends concentrated energy deep into the nail. There has also been a mention that is good for severe and stubborn fungus. Effects are quick and immediate.

Lunula Laser Therapy

Lunula Laser uses low-level energy to heal. It targets fungus gently and without heat. This is a painless option for all patients.

Clear Nail Program

In our clear nail program, we use several sets of laser treatments. It also has aftercare for long-term results. This program has a 98% success rate.

Essentially, laser therapy is safe as well as simple in application. It assists you in eliminating toenail fungus and growing healthy nails. Take the first step today with Restore Podiatry towards regaining your normal life!

Why You Should Seek Professional Help

If you think you have toenail fungus, it’s always best to consult a podiatrist. A podiatrist is a foot and ankle specialist who can assess your condition and recommend the most effective treatment. Restore Podiatry offers advanced treatments for toenail fungus that are both effective and safe. With a focus on patient care and long-term results, they can help you regain healthy, fungus-free nails.

Contact Restore Podiatry today for a consultation and start your journey toward healthier feet!

Final Thoughts

Toenail fungus is not just a cosmetic problem. It can lead to serious health complications if ignored. From spreading infections to pain, cellulitis, and even long-term damage, the risks are real. Don’t wait for the infection to worsen—seek treatment now.

Take care of your feet. They carry you through life.