Frequently asked
questions

Anyone can get toenail fungus infections. They are less common in children, but as people get older, their chances of getting toenail fungus infections increase. This is because their immune system gets weaker and their blood circulation slows down. People with diabetes or psoriasis are at higher risk.

Fungi are everywhere, so you cannot completely avoid getting a fungal toenail infection. But these steps can reduce your chances of infection.

• Don’t share nail care tools like nail clippers or nail brushes.
• Wear footwear that is not too tight and allow your feet to breathe.
• Wear slippers or flip flops in high-risk areas like communal showers, public pools, spas and saunas.
• Wash your hands and feet often, especially after sports.
• Be extra careful if you have diabetes or psoriasis.
• Keep your feet clean and dry.

Yes, you can catch a toenail infection from others. Sharing nail clippers or nail cosmetics can pass on a toenail infection. You can also catch it from places like public swimming pools or gym showers.

There could be a number of reasons, but some people are just more likely to get toenail fungus. It could be in your genes or because your immune system isn’t strong. You might also be around places where fungus grows easily, like public gyms or swimming pools. People with diabetes, psoriasis, or weak immune systems get it more often too.

We do not recommend ignoring an infection. If you suspect that you have a toenail fungus infection, visit a healthcare professional to have it properly diagnosed. Even though nail fungus infections are not usually serious, it should be treated quickly before it becomes harder to treat, to avoid permanent damage to the nail.

Serious complications are rare except in people who have weak immune systems (for example, because of HIV infection/AIDS or taking immunosuppressive medicine). However, toenail fungus infection does not go away on its own—it can get worse, and also spread to other people. As the infection gets worse, the toenail gets thicker, and it can become painful to walk and wear shoes. This is why it’s important to talk to a healthcare professional at the first signs.

While prescribed medicines are effective, it takes time to cure a toenail fungus infection. A new healthy nail that is fungus-free must replace the damaged nail for it to look better. Since nails grow slowly, it can take 12 to 18 months for toenails to become clear, even when the medicine is working.

The chance of getting the toenail fungus infection again can be high—about 10% to 53%. If you keep getting fungal nail infections, it may be a sign that you are at a high risk of getting them.

Yes, it can help. Long toenails can give more space for nail fungus to hide underneath. It is just as important, however, to keep your feet clean and dry.

You should fully complete the treatment that your healthcare professional has prescribed, making sure that the toenail infection is cured and your nail is clear before stopping treatment. Change your socks often to help keep your feet clean and dry. Sterilize or throw away old shoes you wore when your nail was infected. If you also have athlete’s foot, treat it so that it does not spread to your toenails. Finally, wear sandals or flip flops at public gym showers and pools where fungi are commonly found so as to decrease your chances of getting a fungal infection.

Many home remedies are not evidence-based medicine, meaning they have not been properly tested. We recommend that you visit a healthcare professional first to get the treatment plan that suits you best. For starters, self-diagnosing can be risky. Other skin conditions can look similar to nail fungus but need a different treatment, such as nail psoriasis. Second, a healthcare professional will help to recommend a treatment that best suits you.

The time it takes to treat a toenail fungus infection and to see positive change depends on the person, the treatment, and how severe the infection is. Generally, the earlier you start treatment, the less time it will take to clear the infection. Toenails grow slowly, so even after the fungus is gone, it can take 12 to 18 months for a new, healthy nail to grow in and replace the damaged one.

If you are worried about your toenails, it’s a good idea to see a healthcare professional. They can:

• Make sure it’s actually toenail fungus and not something else like nail psoriasis, which looks similar but needs a different treatment.
• Help you start treatment early, which gives better results.
• Find the treatment that best suits you and give you lifestyle tips to help stop the toenail fungus infection from coming back.