Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a common fungal infection that occurs underneath the surface of the toenail, causing crumbling edges, discoloration, and thickening of the nail. If the toenail fungus is left untreated, it can cause extreme pain, permanent damage to the nails, and potentially lead to other diseases that can travel to other parts of the body, especially for those who have a weakened immune system or diabetes.

Find out what toenail fungus is, the symptoms to look out for, and how Comprehensive Foot Specialists in Huntington, NY, regularly diagnoses and treats toenail fungus.

What is Toenail Fungus?

Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a common condition many people experience at some point in their life. A fungal infection of the nail often creates a thickened, raised, and discolored nail plate. A person’s chances of contracting toenail fungus increase with age. Approximately 10% of adult Americans have the infection, but there is a 20% increase in people over the age of 60, and up to 50% increase in people over the age of 70. If your toenail or toenails have the following traits, you may have developed a toenail fungus infection:

• Thickened
• Discolored (i.e. whitish or yellow-brown)
• Brittle or crumbly
• Distorted shape
• Dark color (caused by debris underneath the toenail)
• Vile odor

What Causes Toenail Fungus?

There are many different factors that can cause someone to develop toenail fungus, including:

The primary cause of shin splints is repetitive stress placed on the shinbone, as well as on the connective tissues and tendons that attach the muscles to the bone. The excessive amount of stress placed on the shinbone and tissues causes the muscles to swell, which increases the pressure against the bone, resulting in inflammation and pain. Less strenuous activities, such as walking, can lead to the occurrence of shin splints, however, athletes who repeatedly participate in high impact sports are at a higher risk, especially if they partake in running, dancing, basketball, tennis, or soccer.

How is Toenail Fungus Diagnosed?

Podiatric sports injuries are diagnosed through standard diagnostic modalities. Certain sports injuries can be diagnosed through a physical examination of the foot, ankle, or toes, while others will require an X-ray or other diagnostic tests to determine the full extent of the injury. For example, if an ankle sprain is suspected in an athlete, the doctor may perform an X-ray or MRI to get a clear picture of the area, which also allows them to check if a fracture or dislocation is present.

As many different injuries can occur in this area during sports, it is important that the correct diagnosis is made so treatment can be as successful as possible.

How Comprehensive Foot Specialists Treat Toenail Fungus

Sports injuries are amongst some of the more difficult injuries to treat, being that time is of the essence. However, it is important to note that patience in returning to full activity only benefits the athlete immensely for the best possible immediate and future results.

At Comprehensive Foot Specialists, we are proud to help athletes perform at the top of their game by treating a wide variety of sports injuries. Our expert podiatrists are skilled in diagnosing and treating various foot and ankle injuries and are certified in Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) for more severe injuries. We are committed to each of our patients and their full recovery, working with them each step of the way at our office in Huntington, NY. To learn more about the services we offer and to make your appointment, please contact us today!