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  • If your toe nails are infected with fungus, you have a condition called onychomycosis---more commonly referred to as a fungal nail infection. These infections can be persistent, and serious toe nail infections can even impede your ability to walk. Several treatment options are available.

    Cause

    Dermophytes account for the majority of fungal toe nail infections. Toe nails can also be infected with yeast and mold fungi, according to the Mayo Clinic. The feet provide the dark, moist, warm environment fungi need to thrive.

    Contracting the Fungus

    You can contract toe nail fungus from walking barefoot near a swimming pool or in a locker room---particularly the shower. You can even contract it by getting a pedicure in an unsanitary salon.

    Symptoms

    Toe nail fungus first manifests as a white or yellow dot underneath the nail. As the infection progresses, the nail becomes thick, brittle, dull and dark---you might also notice a bad smell. The infection can also cause the nail to separate from the nail bed.

    Complications

    These fungal infections can permanently damage your toenail. More seriously, the infection can spread beyond the nail. This can be particularly problematic for people with diabetes and those with compromised immune function.

    Treatment

    Treatments for toenail fungus include topical and oral antifungal medications. You might need to have the nail removed in serious cases. Alternative medicine expert Dr. Andrew Weil recommends applying tea tree oil or grapeseed oil to the affected nail twice a day for at least two months and eating one or two cloves of raw garlic daily--it has strong antifungal properties.

    Source:

    The Mayo Clinic: Nail fungus

    Andrew Weil, M.D.: Nailing Nail Fungus

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