Symptoms typically include discoloration, brittleness, gunk under the nails, and a bad smell. If left alone, these can lead to worse things like tissue damage, nail loss, or spreading infections that could cause serious health problems like cellulitis or sepsis.
Treating thick toenails takes consistent care. It’s tricky because meds have a hard time getting through the nail. Home fixes like soaking feet in a vinegar-water mix or using antifungal creams after might work.
Natural options like tea tree oil or Vicks VapoRub can be helpful too. For bad cases, oral meds or laser therapy might be needed. It’s super important to see a doctor for the right diagnosis and advice.
Prevention is key to dodging these problems. Keeping feet clean, trimming nails often, and drying feet well are musts. Risk factors include going barefoot in public, getting lots of pedicures, wearing ill-fitting shoes, and having a weak immune system. Protecting feet in places like locker rooms and using separate nail clippers for sick and healthy nails can cut risks.