Do you have toenail fungus?

Toenail fungus (also known as onychomycosis) is more common than you may think. In fact, about 1 in 10 people lives with nail fungus—toenails are affected more often than fingernails. Toenail fungus is an infection that gets underneath the surface of the nail. The infection may get worse over time, causing the nail to become discolored and disfigured as the fungus starts to spread.

You may be more likely to get toenail fungus if you:

Walk barefoot in damp, public places

Go to nail salons for pedicures

Live with someone who has toenail fungus

Wear tight-fitting socks or shoes that trap sweat

Toenail fungus is difficult to treat because of where the fungus lives.

KERYDIN^® is the first and only approved boron-based antifungal for the treatment of toenail fungus. It contains a glass-tip dropper that helps you get the medication to where it needs to go.

What's on your toenails?

If you look down at your toes, you may know all too well what toenail fungus looks like. Many different types of fungi can cause toenail infections. Small cracks in your nail or the surrounding skin can allow these organisms to enter your toenail and cause an infection.

An infection can cause the toenail to become:

Dark-colored

Discolored

Thickened/
Hardened

Brittle or Ragged

How do you manage toenail fungus?

Toenail fungus usually doesn’t go away by itself. Without treatment, it’s more likely that the infection will get worse as time goes on. It may spread to the feet, leading to athlete's foot (tinea pedis).

Here are some tips to help reduce your risk of getting toenail fungus:

Wash your feet every day and dry them completely.

Try to cut your nails regularly. Don't share your nail clippers with others.

Change shoes and socks more than once daily.

If you have been diagnosed with toenail fungus, you may want to consider throwing out old shoes. They may contain fungus that can re-infect your feet.

When using a public shower or pool, wear shower sandals or shoes.

When visiting a nail salon, make sure the salon sterilizes its instruments after each use.

How long does it take to grow a new, healthy nail?

Toenails grow very slowly. It can take up to a year or more to grow a new toenail. That's why it can be so hard to treat toenail fungus. The toenail often doesn't look normal until a new toenail can grow back.

How do you talk to your doctor about your toenail fungus?

Luckily, there are ways to treat toenail fungus. You’ll have to make an appointment with your doctor who can determine if you have toenail fungus. If you do, your doctor can determine which treatment is right for you.

Be sure to talk to your doctor about:

How long you’ve had this condition
How your toenails look and feel (eg, brittle, fragile, cracked, or discolored nails; pain and discomfort)
The condition worsening or staying the same
What over-the-counter treatments or home remedies you’ve tried
How your toenail fungus affects your daily life and/or the way you feel about the way you look (eg, things you do to hide your condition, like wearing closed-toe shoes)

Print or bookmark this page and share it with your doctor at your next appointment.

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