I think I have a fungus on my toenail (1) Should I consult my doctor or a pharmacist to help me? (2) Is it contagious?

Question

I have a mark on the nail of my big toe: cream-colored stain and the nail has a different texture at this level (crumbles) Thank you very much! It is very clear Have a nice day!

Antoine Mathieu-Piotte · Accepted Answer

Hello! nail fungus is a problem with little risk of complication. It can be contagious in that there is a greater risk of infection among users of public bathing rooms (e.g. sports gyms), but the risk of contagion within a household is less clear for 2 reasons: We already carry a number of dermatophytes, the main infectious agent in onychomycosis at the superficial level of the skin that may not necessarily infect us The skin and nail barriers are relatively effective in preventing transmission This being said, the more exposure there is, the greater the risk that a dermatophyte can penetrate and settle in an area to be infected, which is something to keep in mind since the longer we take to treat ourselves, the greater the risk that others around us who share common barefoot surfaces will become infected. There are several products on the shelves advertised for the treatment of onychomycosis, but their efficacy is questionable for several reasons, mainly unproven efficacy of the antifungal agent, or unproven efficacy of penetration into the nail, which is essential for its efficacy, and very difficult to obtain. A visit to the doctor would also confirm the diagnosis, as there are many other conditions that can cause foot symptoms, but only nail fungus seems to be publicized. The classic presentation of nail fungus is a thickening of the nail, rather than a crumbling, although this is still possible. Quick tip, for the symptom you describe, consider whether the spot is a friction point in your shoes. A simple adjustment at this level could solve the problem if this is the case. Have a nice day!