Before diving into the topic – of why you need to see podiatrists for nail fungus treatment in Canada or athletes’ foot treatment in Montreal, let’s first take a look at what these nail fungus or an athlete’s foot is and how do they vary from each other–
Nail fungus is a familiar infection that results in white or yellowish-brown patches on the tips of your nails or under your toenails. It usually occurs when the fungal infection is deep and the staple is thin, or the lead is damaged. If one of your fingers is affected, it can affect others too.
After getting infected with this fungus – if its effect is not so devastating you need not have to go for treatment. However, in any circumstances, if it creates pain and makes your nails thick then self-care and medications are requisite to get yourself out of this issue.
Remember, even though the treatment is successful, nail fungus can often come back.
This fungi virus is also called onychomycosis (on-ih-Koh-my-KOH-sis). And, whenever this fungal infection infects the area between your toes and the skin of your feet, it’s also called an athlete’s foot (tinea pedis).
This athlete’s foot frequently happens in those people’s feet whose legs are always dampened with sweat while confined within tight-fitting shoes. An athlete’s foot Signs and symptoms consist of itchy, scaly rash. The state is contagious and can be stretched from contaminated floors, towels, or clothing.
Symptoms of nail fungal infection
• Opaque.
• Pale.
• Fragile, crumbly or ragged.
• Misshapen.
• Separate from the nail bed.
• Foul-smell.
The risk factor for nail fungus: –
Elements that are accountable for developing the perilous chances of nail fungus in your foot are: –
- Increase in age.
- Owning shoes for long time that makes your feet sweat heavily.
- Have had an athlete’s foot in the past.
- Moving shoeless on dampen public areas, such as swimming pools, gyms, and shower rooms.
- Early exposure to minor skin or nail injuries.
- A skin condition that affects the nails, like psoriasis.
- Enduring with chronic diabetes, blood flow problems, or a weakened immune system.
- Symptoms of athlete’s foot: –
This infection can influence one or both feet. The colloquial signs and symptoms are: –
• Having scaly, peeling, or cracked skin between the toes.
• Particularly, having itchiness right after taking off shoes and socks.
• Inflamed skin color like reddish, purplish, or grayish, depending upon your skin color
• Burning or stinging.
• Blisters.
• Arid, scaly skin on the bottom of the foot that extends laterally.
The risk factor of athlete’s foot
The greater risk of having athlete’s foot – if you:-
- Frequently wear enclosed footwear
- Sweat heavily
- When you Split your things like mats, rugs, bed linens, clothes, or shoes with those who have a fungal infection.
- Walking shoeless in public domains from where the infection can spread, such as locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools, communal baths, and showers.
When should you visit a podiatrist for nail fungus treatment in Canada or athlete’s foot treatment in Montréal?
If you’re suffering from nail fungus or athlete’s foot, or any of these fungal infections and self-care steps aren’t helping, you may want to see a health care provider for treatment because of your chronic problem. When you meet them, you should not only tell them about this purpose but also tell them all the information related to your health. For example –
• You have diabetes and realize that your toenails will develop fungus.
• Bleeding from around the nail.
• Swelling or pain around the nail.
• Difficulty in walking etc.
Precautions that can be taken to prevent a nail fungus or an athlete’s foot are:-
• Keep your nails clean and dry. Wash your hands and feet regularly. Clean your hands after touching infected nails. After drying well, apply antifungal foot powder and moisturize your nails. Consider using a nail hardener, which can help strengthen nails and cuticles.
• Keep your nails short. Cut the nails straight, smooth the edges with a file and file the thickened areas. Disinfect your nail clippers after each use. Allowing your nails to grow longer will create more room for the fungus to grow.
• Use absorbent socks or change your socks throughout the day.
• Pick shoes that are made up of breathable materials.
• Let the air flow out from the shoes you wear. If you can, use sandals to let your feet air out as much as possible.
• Wash your feet daily by using warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry your feet thoroughly, mainly between the toes. Apply a medicated foot powder (like Tinactin, Gold Bond, others) or other medicated powder (such as Lotrimin AF, Zeasorb, others) if you’re prone to athlete’s foot.
• Change socks regularly. Swap them at least once a day — if your feet get really sweaty more often. Socks that are moisture-wicking, for example, those made up of cotton, can support in keep your feet dry than nylon materials product.
• Use alternate pairs of shoes. Use different shoes from day to day. It provides your shoes to dry after each use.
