subject: Treating Onychomycosis - Recognizing And Treating Toenail Fungus [print this page] When it comes to toenail fungus infections, knowing what you're looking for is a key component of victory in the battle for healthy toenails. The earlier you catch a case of onychomycosis, or toenail fungus, the faster you'll recover and the easier treatment will be. But if you put off treating onychomycosis either because you don't recognize it at its onset or because you simply want to avoid dealing with it, your infection could become so severe that it could take up to a year of regular treatment to remedy the situation. Knowing what you're looking for is the best way to make sure you catch onychomycosis at its earliest stages.
The first step to treating onychomycosis is recognizing onychomycosis. When a toenail fungus first takes hold, it can look innocent enough. It usually starts as what looks like an unassuming white spot underneath your toenail. It could easily just be the result of banging your toe against something. But if you do spot the spot, keep an eye on it. Examine it daily to see whether it begins to fade or begins to grow. If it begins to fade, keep track of it until it fades completely so that you can be sure that it was simply a banged toe and nothing more.
If that white spot begins to grow or turn yellow in color, then there's a good chance that you're looking at the early onset of a toenail fungus. At that point, it's best to see a doctor to confirm the diagnosis so that you can begin treatment. Fortunately, treating onychomycosis is relatively simple. It can be a little tedious, since toenail infections can be so stubborn, but it's not complicated or expensive. Your doctor may prescribe or recommend a treatment to you, or he or she might advise you to find a simple, over-the-counter treatment.
There are plenty of effective ways of treating onychomycosis over the counter. If you know what you're looking for, then you're sure to pick an effective treatment. You definitely want a treatment with a strong fungicide, but you also want one that softens the nail and gets rid of debris so that the fungicide can reach the infection. And you want a treatment that also encourages your nail to grow back quickly. Onychomycosis can be a real pain in the foot, but with a little patience and persistence, you can kick it to the curb.
