Onychomycosis, often known as toenail fungus, may only appear to be a small aesthetic issue, but if neglected, it can have detrimental effects on one’s health. A podiatrist from Allegheny Health Network, Dr. Peter Joseph, warns that ignoring an infected toenail could have a lot of unfavorable consequences.
One possible problem is having uncomfortable feet. Walking becomes painful and challenging as the fungus spreads, especially when wearing shoes, due to the thickening and misalignment of the diseased nail.
Athletes’ feet can also result from untreated toenail fungus because it can spread to nearby skin and result in red, itchy, and cracked skin. The fungus can grow and spread best in the warm, wet conditions present within shoes.
