Sometimes when we talk about our health we may leave out little details like our toenails. One of these problems is called grey nails, also known as onychomycosis, and don't underestimate it. Let's find out what grey nails are, why they occur, what the symptoms are, how to prevent them, and how to treat them. Let's unravel this little secret together!
Gray nails are when something goes wrong with our toenails and they get infected by a fungus. These fungi hide inside the toenails and make our toenail clippings thin, weaken, and even turn strange colours and sometimes become very thick. Not only does it affect the original look of your toenail clippings, but it may also make you feel uncomfortable and even a little painful. So be careful! Simply put, the primary cause of grey nails is an infection by something called a fungus. These fungi love to grow in damp places, so they are often spread in public places. Also, wearing shoes that are too tight and socks that don't breathe are increasing the risk of getting grey nails.
Grey nails may bring about these troublesome symptoms; first, your toenails may become thick and brittle and break easily. Then, the colour of the nail may turn grey, yellow, or even brown.
Next, the edges of the nail may begin to delaminate or peel off. You may also feel a little pain and itchiness in your nails. Sometimes, the shape of the nails may also become different. If you suddenly feel these problems happening. it could be grey nails coming to haunt you! The trick to preventing gray nails is to keep your feet clean while not giving the fungus a good chance to grow: First of all, don't forget to wash your feet often, especially the area between your toes. Don't go barefoot, especially in public places. You should also cut your nails regularly and don't leave them too long, so you can avoid problems too! In short, keep your feet dry and clean and the fungus won't have a chance to mess with them!
It takes a little patience to treat grey nails, and here are some of the ways that may work, starting with medications that are specifically for feet, such as topical antifungal creams or liquids. If the case is more serious, your doctor may recommend taking some oral antifungal medication. Don't forget to trim and organize your infected nails as your doctor recommends. It's also important to keep your feet dry and clean during treatment!
Grey nails are quite common, but they are not a big problem. As long as we keep our feet clean and keep them from getting wet, and also use medication to deal with them, we can get rid of them. This reduces the likelihood of getting infected and keeps your nails in good shape. If you think you might have grey nails, it's best to talk to a medical professional to find out the right diagnosis and treatment.
