There are a lot of individuals who are not worried upon seeing their toenails changing colors and shapes until they can notice pus, bleeding and pain. Whatever changes there are in your toenails, they could mean nail fungus infection and the stage of their infection depends on the length of time it occurs.

Stages of Toenail Fungus Infection

1. During the initial state of the infection, you will not feel any pain and you will not be aware that an infection is afflicted. It is only when you feel some discomfort when you know something is wrong with your toenails.
2. When the early stage infection is not treated, this will cause the toenail to become yellow and will lose its shine. While the infection progresses, you can notice your nails to thicken and lose shape. This time, it is likely for the toenails to separate from the nail bed. There will be a dark color that will appear under the toenails that are results of the accumulated debris in your nails.
3. When the infection has reached the extreme stage, it is very possible for you to say goodbye to your nails. You will be able to smell a bad odor that emanates from the exposed nail bed.

These stages of toenail fungus infections give you the idea on the importance of detecting the infection at the earliest stage possible. This is to make sure that it’s not too late for you to find a remedy and treatment to the infection. Keep in mind that untreated toenail fungus is likely to cause permanent damage to your nails. The fungal infection may spread to other parts of your body or may cause skin infections like paronychia.

Prevention is Always Better than Cure

There are always ways that you can do to stop the toenail fungus before you it can start infecting your toenails.

• Wear the right type of socks and shoes for your feet. This must involve alternating the types of shoes that you are supposed to wear to give your feet time to breathe. Use socks that are made from synthetic materials such as cotton because this tends to make your feet dry.
• Always wear shoes in the outdoors. Walking in public places with your bare foot should be a no-no because this will expose you to nail fungus especially if you run around moist areas like locker rooms and swimming pools.
• Always keep and use anti-fungal products. You can avail anti-fungal powders and sprays from local drug stores. If you feel that you can possibly develop toenail fungus or you have started to have it already, us these products.
• Eat well. Eating a healthy and balanced diet that include foods that will boost your immune system can help you keep yourself away from toenail fungus. When your body doesn’t have a good immune system, you will not be able to fight off the fungus when it starts to develop.
• Practice good hygiene. You need to have a routine of washing your feet thoroughly and frequently. It is also necessary to keep your fee dry after every bath and shower. Your routine must also involve regular checking of your toenails so that you would know immediately if there are abnormalities in them. That is, you will be able to take the necessary approach to treat such condition and you won’t end up knowing them in the later stage.