Foot and toenail infections can be extremely annoying. They can also cause a high level of insecurity and pain in individuals who suffer from them. Although rare, foot and toenail infections can even spread to other parts of the body and cause severe complications.
By understanding the warning signs of foot and toenail infections, you can treat the symptoms and underlying conditions in a timely manner. This helps restore feet and toenails to full health.
Foot and toenail infections
Most of the warning signs of foot and toenail infections are visual, rather than symptoms that affect the health of the individual.
It is important to check your feet and toenails often for the following four warning signs.
Discoloration
Perhaps the most noticeable sign of a foot and toenail infection is a discoloration, particularly of the toenails. When a toenail infection occurs, the nail turns from a healthy, white color, to a darker yellow or brown color.
Most cases of foot and toenail infections begin with just several darker spots on the toenail. But if left untreated, the discoloration can spread to cover up the entire toenail and eventually all of the toenails. The affected nails then carry a risk of spreading to other parts of the body including the foot.
Distorted shape
Along with a discoloration, a foot or toenail infection can cause a distorted shape of the toenails. Most commonly, foot and toenail infections cause the toenail to rise up from its current position. Then it can eventually lead to a complete loss of the toenail if not treated in a timely manner.
In some cases, the toenail may become brittle and start to split and crumble. This can be slightly painful to go through.
Any time the shape of a toenail becomes distorted, it is important to seek treatment as an infection is likely the cause.
Debris build up
One of the main reason a major discoloration takes place once foot and toenail infections occur is due to a buildup of debris underneath the surface of the nail. This is largely the reason the nail begins to rise up as well.
In the event debris is noticed underneath the surface of the toenail, there is a good chance that there is either a foot or toenail infection.
The best way to treat the debris build-up is to visit a doctor and treat the underlying cause of the symptoms, rather than attempting to clean the debris out yourself.
Nails thicken
Toenails have also been observed to thicken during foot and toenail infections. In most cases, all of the toenails thicken, rather than simply one or two of the toenails.
When the toenails thicken, it is important to seek care from a podiatrist or medical doctor that is able to treat foot and toenail infections.
If you experience any of the aforementioned warning signs of foot and toenail infections, give us a call and schedule a visit. This will help you find out how we can help stop the infection and restore the health of your feet and toenails.
Are you considering treatment for foot and toenail infections in the Pocatello area? Get more foot and toenail infections information at https://www.pocatellopodiatry.com.