Superficial fungal infections, particularly fungal nail infections, take anywhere from a few days to a few months to heal, and deep tissue infection may require treatment for up to two years. Cellulitis may develop when a toenail fungus infection spreads beyond the nail, causes cracks in the skin, and allows bacteria can get in. If the cellulitis is severe, the infection may enter the bloodstream - with dangerous, even deadly, results. Dermatophytes, a pathenogenic fungus, can also arise on toenails and fingernails, mucous membranes, hair, and skin and it requires thorough and aggressive treatment.
Athlete's foot and toenail fungus live in your shoes
Another common fungus fond of the same environment is athlete's foot, or tinea pedis. Unlike onychomycosis, this fungal infection thrives also in a dry environment, so is common in summer months among sandal and flip-flop wearers. Athlete's foot manifests in intense itching; cracked, blistered or peeling skin; and redness and scaling in dry, flaky areas. If you don't wear socks, dead skin cells may rub off your feet onto your shoes, creating a surprisingly efficient breeding ground for fungi.
Tinea pedis and onychomycosis fungi will remain active on dead skin cells and wait inside your shoes until the next time you slip them on. A dry environment may be less friendly to fungi than a moist environment, but wherever fungi cells are allowed to thrive, the scene is set for infection by toenail fungus spores and athlete's foot.
See your doctor
If your feet tend to be very sweaty and if you detect a foul odor from your shoes, it's probably a good time to seek professional attention. See your family doctor to begin treatment. In some cases, your doctor may immediately refer you to a dermatology specialist or to a DPM - a podiatrist - to correctly test and diagnose the fungal infection, determine its severity, and recommend the most effective treatment regimen to defeat it.
What to do with your toenail fungus
Effective options exist and your medical professional will know which anti-fungal tablet, cream, spray, or liquid will work best on your infection. Lamasil, Jublia, and Sporanox are among the most widely prescribed, depending on a person's age and the type and severity of the fungal infection. All these treatment regimens work by encouraging new nail growth free of infection. Because the infected nail can be replaced only by the slow nail growth process, you must take these medications for six to 12 weeks, or longer.
Adopt good foot hygiene habits
There are sensible precautions you can take to head off toenail fungal infection, foot fungus and athlete's foot in the first place — or to prevent reinfection after successful treatment.
* Don't wear anyone else's socks or put on their shoes. Keep in mind that if they have a toenail fungal infection, it will then likely become yours.
