Toenail fungus occurs with poor hygiene, or wound in the toe. This infection is most common in the feet nails than the hands. Fungus responsible for the infection grow in dark and damp places that is why, people who used to wear tight shoes that don’t allow skin to breath are more prone to this infection.

In the infection a group of fungi attacks the toenail and start to change the color of nail. The healthy nail is transparent and its superficial look is pink due to high blood supply underneath. Nails, sometime which look useless to us are very important as they protect the skin at the terminal parts of the body and have a high aesthetic value.

As the toenail fungus start to grow, it turn the natural color of nails first into yellow patches and then, with progressive growth, black with thick, chalky and ugliest structure.

This fungus, when attacks start to consume the keratin protein that protects the nail from damaging. The function of keratin is to provide coating of the nail which is necessary for the structure and shape.

The fungal infection first starts from the top edge or the sides like cuticles of the toe and then with the passage of time grows inward and gets spread in the whole nail. This condition can get worse and painful if the in time treatment is not made. Some of the common symptoms of toenail fungal infection include:

Discoloration of the nails starts from the outermost end and move inward underneath the nail. The nails lose their firmness and become thick flaky and ugly.

The fungal infection appears as white or yellow patches that cannot be removed with simple rubbing any chemical solution. In some severe cases when infection deep rooted in the nail, it generates the pus and nasty odor. Though it hard to completely cure the infection yet, toenail fungus treatment concentrate on reducing the symptoms of the fungal infection.

In spite of of the cause of the toenail fungal infection, the condition should be treated as soon as possible because it is highly contagious and can affect the other parts of the body.