I ended up going to the hospital to treat toenail fungus😭

My mother developed athlete's foot on her toenails and soles, so she treated it herself with Lamisil ointment. But as summer arrived and humidity increased, the toenail fungus got worse, so she went to a dermatologist. I'd like to share my experience treating toenail fungus.

 

1. What is toenail fungus?

 

It is a condition in which the toenail is infected by a dermatophyte called Trichophyton rubrum, which is the most common cause of athlete's foot.

 

2. What are the symptoms of toenail fungus?

 

When toenail fungus occurs, the toenail becomes deformed. The color of the toenail gradually changes from the tip of the toenail and spreads toward the root. Other symptoms include the toenail breaking or peeling off from the skin (onycholysis), and the toenail thickening, eventually becoming so thick that it is impossible to cut with toenail clippers. These symptoms can occur in combination or just one of them. In my mother's case, the color changed to yellow in a single line. She did not show any other symptoms.

 

3. How do I treat toenail fungus?

 

First, I tried treating toenail fungus at home. My mother's toenail fungus wasn't that severe, but her sole fungus was severe, so I bought Lamisil ointment from the pharmacy and tried it, but there was no improvement. In fact, her toenail fungus got worse, so it seemed like toenail fungus treatment was necessary. It seemed like it got worse because her feet sweated a lot in the summer. I visited a dermatologist and consulted with a doctor to treat her toenail fungus. I thought they would do a fungal test, but the doctor just looked at her and prescribed medication. I was given two types of medication. For sole fungus, Travogen Cream It is a drug that treats skin infections caused by fungi with its antifungal action and also for toenail fungus. Jublia topical solution I got it. Jublia is a medication that treats onychomycosis. It comes in an ampoule-like form with a brush on the front that you use to apply the medication to the entire nail. It's a bit pricey at 48,500 won for two, so be sure to get reimbursed.

 

 

4. What can I do at home to treat toenail fungus?

 

Treating toenail fungus is a very time-consuming process. It can take months or even years to completely heal. Therefore, diligent self-care is crucial to improving symptoms and preventing recurrence. After showering, thoroughly dry your toenails and toenails with a hairdryer. If you sweat a lot, it's a good idea to bring along an extra pair of socks to change. Wearing well-ventilated shoes and slippers is also important.