If you are unsure if what you are experiencing is a result of toenail fungus, please click HERE to review the symptoms.
But… if you are pretty sure that what you have IS actually toenail fungus, the next question then becomes…
Why Should I Treat this Disgusting Problem?
If you don’t treat toenail fungus, can it cause other problems? Are there really toenail fungus complications?
“Can toenail fungus cause other problems?” you ask… The short answer is YES… it can!!!
Aside from the unsightly appearance of a fungal toenail and other, merely cosmetic concerns, if left untreated, this condition can spiral out of control and potentially cause other health concerns that we call toenail fungus complications.
This is why early treatment is key! You need to prevent the potential complications of toenail fungus!!!
Don’t let this embarrassing problem get this bad…
There ARE dangers of ignoring this seemingly minute condition!!!
What are the Complications of Toenail Fungus?
Some of the potential complications of “letting a toenail fungus go” without implementing any form of treatment is not limited to, but can include the following:
- Increased pain with potential difficulty walking (Can toenail fungus cause pain?… ABSOLUTELY!!)
- Spread of fungus to other toenails and/or foot and/or other body parts (Learn more about Athlete’s Foot by clicking HERE!)
- Permanent damage to your nail
- Permanent loss of the affected nail
- Bacterial infections that can spread to other areas of the body and/or bloodstream (cellulitis) requiring oral antibiotics and/or amputation
In individuals with co-existing conditions such as Diabetes, a weakened immune system, or decreased blood circulation there is even a greater risk of these complications occurring. Click HERE to read about a product that is hands-down the BEST product to help increase circulation to your feet!
Avoid the Complications of Toenail Fungus – Treat Early
I recommend that if you have a co-existing conditions and believe that you have a toenail fungus to see your doctor for a personalized treatment plan due to the fact that even a nail fungus, which is a relatively minor injury/condition, can quickly advance to more serious complications.
There are so many treatment options available that it is silly to allow this simple disease to progress to the level where complications can occur.
As a podiatrist, I can help direct you to the treatments that really work and even show you how to prevent this condition from recurring once you have successfully treated it
But… you MUST treat it! Don’t let your toenail fungus get to the point where complications begin to occur!
There are currently THREE amazing products that I routinely recommend to my patients to treat this unsightly disorder! All three of these products REALLY work… you just have to decide the method of treatment that you prefer and DO IT!
Go to next Section: Treatment Options for Toenail Fungus!
Those are some pretty disturbing complications…..I will heed your warnings Doc….
Thanks
Kevin
Yes sir. They are!!! That’s why we like to begin treatment in the initial phases!!! Thanks for the comment and please feel free to ask questions!!! ((:
Hi Dr. Misty,
Thanks for your article on toenail fungus. I have read the views of persons who have used ZetaClear. It is one of the treatments that you are recommending. They who have used it are amazed by its effectiveness.
I do not have a toenail problem, but please tell me can it be used for finger nails as well?
Awaiting your answer. Keep up the good work
Thanks for your comment! So glad to hear that you have personal experience of hearing of the effectiveness of one of my recommended products!
I know there are many products available, but by-and-far the THREE products that I recommend to treat toenail fungus definitely surpass anything else that is out there hence my passion on the subject and product awareness!
Absolutely any of the three products that I recommend, including Zeta Clear, are just as effective for fingernails vs. toenails. I really focused on toenails here (podiatrist lol), but these products work just as effectively, if not more effectively, for fingernails!
With fingernails you do not have co-existing conditions such as a dark, warm, moist environment (such as socks and shoes) that aids the fungus in taking over. Fingernail fungus is much easier to cure than toenail fungus and these products actually do work to target the fingernails as well!!!! (((:
Thanks for commenting and feel free to comment with any further questions!!! Have a fabulous evening!
Hi
I had no idea that complications of toenail fungus could be so drastic. That photo is a bit scary!
So, what causes this fungus? Is there something that can be done to prevent it in the first place? This is not something I have experience with but am curious as to whether or not there are precautionary measures that can be taken to ensure this never happens!
I often get pedicures…..is that ever related to this sort of thing?
Thank you for taking the time to answer. Have a great day!
Hello! Most people don’t realize everything that can occur with toenail fungus!
Please refer to the Causes of Toenail Fungus page to get an in-depth review of the potential causes of toenail fungus!!!
I also have a page – Prevention of Occurrence and Re-Occurrence of Toenail Fungus – which I think will help you really understand the measures you can take to prevent this unsightly problem!!! Here, it talks a little about pedicures and how to minimize your chances of contracting toenail fungus via a pedicure!!!
Hope this helps!!
Feel free to comment with any further questions or concerns! I am here to help!!! Have a fabulous Tuesday!!!
Hello there!
These pictures were not the prettiest pictures I have ever seen I must admit but toe nail fungus is an issue many people struggle with!
It is frustrating and needs special care and attention.
I always make sure to remove my shoes and socks after the gym and wash my feet really well. Regular pedicures help too.
Thank you for sharing. Helpful post!
Hello! I know these pics can be disturbing, but I just try to get the point across as the seriousness of this condition just cannot be underestimated.
Sounds like you are doing the right things with your feet!
I appreciate your kind words.
Should you have any additional concerns or questions please feel free to comment. Have a fabulous Friday evening!
Yuk! Surely no-one would allow their feet to look like this!
My toenails are relatively strong and I see no real issues with them, but my fingernails break so easily that it’s really annoying.
I have worked on my diet etc and just when I think they are starting to come right, they start to break… one by one until we have to start again.
Any thoughts?
That is awesome news about your toenails!
If there is no discoloration or added thickness within your fingernails then the breaking does not sound like it is caused due to a fungus. That is great news!
Your brittle fingernails could be caused by a multitude of things such as Hypothyroidism, low iron levels (anemia), low daily water intake, as well as many other causes!
I would recommend first taking a Biotin supplement and see if this helps! If not, please feel free to comment and we can discuss the situation further. Good luck to you!
Hi, I have never touch wood had any problems with my toenails, but if I ever do, this has been the place to help.
Looks like You have resolution to many peoples toenail fungus problems. Interesting niche. If I hear from anyone I know that suffers from this problem I will poit them in your direction. Very informative site. Keep up the great work.
Awesome for you! Thanks for reading and familiarizing yourself with this all too common condition. If you and anyone you forward this on to has any questions or concerns feel free to leave another comment and we would love to help you out!
Wow that picture gets your attention! That poor person. My father struggled with nail fungus his whole life, I’m glad to hear there are some other options than the prescriptions that his Dr’s gave him. I never realized how many complications could come from something as simple as toenail fungus.
Shannon… So good to hear from you! As a physician, we seem to get wrapped up in prescriptions and just monitor for side effects. Through all of my research for a cheaper, more effective and natural alternative I found THREE amazing products that are void of side effects and really work!
Words cannot express how excited I am to be able to pass these products on to those in need!
It is amazing how toenail fungus can get so out of control and progress toward these more serious complications. It does happen! I have seen this occur over and over!
Thanks so much for visiting my site and should you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to comment and we will get back to you! ((:
My mom actually suffered from this! Yikes, is all I can say! As a child I was wondering was it contagious, because she had many painful days and days where her feet were so sensitive it became hurtful to walk. I’ve never understood where it comes from and why it happens. I am glad there are treatments for this condition, the picture is disturbing, but the reality is much worse!
Thank you for your comment! Yes…toenail fungus can be very painful and yes…it can be contagious as well! To see exactly where it comes from and why it happens, please see Causes of Toenail Fungus! This will break it all down for you!
Should you have any further questions or concerns feel free to comment! Thanks again for your visit! ((:
I don’t know anyone with toenail fungus, but I know that fungus itself can cause a lot of damage to living beings. The reason is because they are parasites that feeds off of a living host. It’s kind of like a leech, except sucks out more than just blood.
Another good reason to handle fungus is simply because the potent chemical it releases. Antibiotics like penicilin is actually made from fungus. If fungus can kill something like bacteria naturally, imagine what it can do to your system. Very scary.
Hello Blame! That is a very interesting way of looking at things!
Thank you for coming to my site and reading this page! Should you have any questions please feel free to comment and I would love to get back to you!
Thanks again and have a fabulous Monday night! ((:
Good afternoon Dr. Misty,
I must admit that photo was a shock. Are there really people who walk around with feet like that? I find it hard to believe. I live in the south of Spain and when spring comes, you suddenly see a lot of feet in sandals. Not always a pretty sight I can tell you. In the summer I do my feet once a week as I work in the garden so they can get really dirty.
I have had the troublesome experience with a nail fungus. It happened like 4 years ago while peeling an orange on the field. I accidentally flipped my thumbnail. Over time it got dark and worse, and I had no idea why. One day, like more than 2 years later, a girlfriend said that it was a fungus and I should treat it less I might lose my nail. She recommended putting TeaTreeOil every day. Any thoughts?
Regards, Taetske
Hello Taetske! I am so sorry that you have personally experience this horrible disease! Trauma to the nail definitely increases your risk factors for the development of toenail fungus.
Tea Tree Oil is one of the natural remedies for toenail fungus! I talk about that a little bit HERE! While many of the natural remedies for toenail fungus do have anti-fungal properties, it is essential to utilize them in a therapeutic dosage to obtain the desired effects. Often times Tea Tree Oil used alone will not soften the nail enough to penetrate through. This means that it may mask the symptoms for months or even years, but eventually the fungus will re-introduce itself.
Two of the products that I do recommend actually contain Tea Tree Oil in the proper therapeutic dosage to successfully eliminate this horrid condition… they are called Purely Northwest Foot and Toenail System and ZetaClear Nail Solution. You should really check them out!
I appreciate your comment and truly with you success with your nail fungus! Feel free should you think of any additional questions or concerns to leave them below and I will respond.
Thank you! Have a very, Merry Christmas!
Good afternoon Dr. Misty,
Thank you for replying to my comment. I am sure that the products that you recommend are better than what I did. I used Tea Tree Oil nearly pure and put it behind my nail. This, in the long run, was hard on my skin which dried, died and then came off in little pieces.
Thank you for your kind wishes, I also wish you and yours a happy Christmas and a good and healthy 2018.
Regards, Taetske
Anytime Taetske! I hope I helped! ((:
How disturbing! I can understand why people don’t get treated right away though (I tend to avoid treatment sometimes if I think that a problem will go away on its own). In the past, I have seen some people with toenail fungus and they simply were not capable of getting treatment because of the circumstances of their life (they were elderly and immobile). It is scary to think that this problem can lead to amputation!!
What are the chances that the toenail fungus will go away on its own??
Hello! I am glad that you found my article educational!
Responding to some of your statements… we see this ALL of the time! People just not treating the fungus… especially the elderly and those with travel situations. I even created a post on why you should treat toenail fungus to bring awareness to this fact! My goal is to educate, educate, educate! With the treatment recommendations that I recommend… one doesn’t even have to leave their own home! Sadly… toenail fungus does NOT go away on its own. )): Life would be way easier if it did!
Should you think of any more questions or concerns please feel free to comment again and I will definitely get back with you! Have a great day!
I had a grandpa who had this condition. His toes were ungodly and his feet smelled something fierce. He had the severe complications of toenail fungus. I wish I would of known about this product while they were still around. This website has been very informative and even taught me quite a bit! Well laid out and executed.
Hello Wesley and thank you for visiting my page on the complications of toenail fungus. I am so glad that you found great educational value on my website. The symptoms of toenail fungus can absolutely be horrific. And… they only worsen!
Should you have any questions, please feel free to comment. I will definitely get back with you! I am here to help!
Hello Dr. Misty!
Thank you for this article! I have a friend that is dealing with toenail fungus and I know how uncomfortable that can feel and how it can affect someone’s self confidence! I’m definitely recommending your website so that he can check out all the treatments you suggested!
Hello Kate! I am so glad that you ran across my post regarding the complications of toenail fungus and I am so very sorry that your friend is struggling with thick, yellow toenails and appreciate you sharing my site with him.
There are so many treatment options for toenail fungus, but I would like to go ahead and tell you now that MOST of them absolutely do not work and are a pure waste of money. This is sad… but true. I have a post that is completely for the purpose of telling you exactly what products do actually work for a multitude of foot conditions. You can reach this page by clicking HERE! I would definitely recommend your friend treating his toenail fungus with either of the three products that I recommend for fungal toenails. He will NOT be disappointed with his results from any of these three amazing treatments!
Again… thanks for visiting. I am so glad that I could help!
Hello! What causes toenail fungus?
Hello Alditha and thank you for reading my article regarding the complications of toenail fungus. Throughout this platform, I discuss a LOT about the causes of toenail fungus. Feel free to read my article by clicking HERE that addresses these causes. That should definitely help you out. In addition, I also have an article discussing the Risk Factors for Toenail Fungus which you might find interesting as well. Let me know if these articles leave you with any additional questions… I am truly here to help!!!
Excellent explanation, it’s simple & focus
Thank you Dr. Moss! I appreciate the kind comment!
Thank you Dr. Moss! I appreciate you visiting my site!