What Is Toenail Fungus?

A fungal toenail (also known as “onychomycosis”) is a fungal infection of the nail.  It can cause the toenail to become thick, discoloured, brittle and fragile.  As the fungal infection grows, it can crack the nail or even lift it off the nail bed.  This can cause pain and discomfort.  

While not necessarily a serious health condition, toenail fungus is contagious and will progress if not properly dealt with.  Toenail fungus can also be difficult to treat on your own, so it is best to consult a foot specialist as soon as you suspect a problem – even if you’re unsure, it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

What Are The Symptoms Of Fungal Toenails

Common signs and symptoms of toenail fungus are:

What Causes Toenail Fungus?

A fungus is a tiny living microorganism.  Yeast, mold and mushrooms are examples of fungi. Fungi are naturally present on the body, but when they begin to overgrow, you can develop an infection. Fungal infections can develop anywhere on the body, but the feet are especially vulnerable because our shoes provide a dark, warm, and moist environment for fungus to thrive. 

A fungal toenail develops when fungus finds its way into your nail through tiny cracks or skin breaks by the nail.  It then makes itself at home underneath the toenail, where it feeds off nail tissue, grows and reproduces.  As the fungus grows and more spores form, it causes the nail to change in colour, thickness and composition.  Eventually the fungus itself can dislodge the nail off the nail bed.  

There are many species of fungus that can cause toenail fungus.  The most common are called dermatophytes.  Candida (yeasts) and certain molds can also cause toenail fungus.

Athlete’s foot is another common fungal infection that affects the feet; however it is a fungal infection of skin as opposed to the nail.

How Do I Treat Fungal Toenails?

Why Do I Get Toenail Fungus?

Certain risk factors can make you more prone to developing fungal toenails:

• Walking barefoot in communal swimming pools, gyms, yoga studios, showers, and locker rooms:  These hot moist areas are breeding grounds for fungus.  Because fungal infections are contagious, if someone else using the facility also had a fungal infection, the fungus will set up shop there, grow and spread to others who come into contact with it.
• A toenail injury that causes a cracked toenail or open sore around the toenail or cuticle
• Age:  The elderly have the highest risk of developing fungal toenails because as we age, our toenails get brittle and fungus can enter through cracks.  Age also diminishes blood circulation, and poor blood flow makes a person more prone to infection.  
• Sharing towels, shoes, nail clippers, or nail polish with someone who has a fungal infection
• An existing athlete’s foot infection:  Although athlete’s foot affects the skin, if left untreated it can cause toenail fungus due to its close proximity to the toenails.
• Reduced circulation in the feet due to conditions like peripheral vascular disease or diabetes
• Plantar Hyperhidrosis:  Fungus thrives in moist environments, so if moisture buildup from plantar hyperhidrosis (sweaty feet) goes unchecked, it can make a foot prone to fungal infections.  
• Wearing socks and shoes that don’t properly ventilate or wick moisture away from the feet and toes.
• Living in moist, hot, humid environments

How Do I Prevent Fungal Toenails?

Here are various foot care solutions for preventing toenail fungus:

• Wear flip flops or a foot covering when visiting public pools, gyms, yoga studios, and locker rooms
• Maintain good foot hygiene: Keeping your feet clean and dry will help reduce any risk factors for developing fungal infections. Healthy skin and toenails also reduces the likelihood of cuts or abrasions through which infections can enter your skin and toenails. One of the best ways to keep your feet healthy is to get routine medical pedicures by a chiropodist. 
• When having a pedicure at a nail salon, always ask how often the salon staff sanitizes their tools and how they do it: pedicure tools such as nail clippers can spread toenail fungus from person to person if they are not properly disinfected between uses.  Steam sterilization is the gold standard for infection control and is required by foot care professionals such as chiropodists and podiatrists. (You can also opt for a medical pedicure instead, which is done by a foot specialist in a sterile environment, and can help detect any infections at its early stages.) 
• Wear moisture-wicking socks and change your socks midday if you have sweaty feet
• Wear shoes made from breathable materials
• Thoroughly dry your feet – including between your toes – after showering, and before putting on your socks and shoes
• Air out athletic shoes after use to ensure they thoroughly dry before the next wear

Moisture-control shoes and sandals, as well as over-the-counter foot deodorants and anti-fungal products are available at our Toronto foot clinic shop. You can also use our online booking form below or call us at 416-769-FEET (3338) to book an appointment for preventative nail care. 

We are open Mondays to Fridays from 9 am to 6 pm, Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm.