Does Onychomycosis Go Away on Its Own?

Dermatologist Dr. Thi Thien Nguyen Tran leads Village Dermatology as medical director and owner. Possessing upwards of two decades of dermatology experience, Dr. Thi Thien Nguyen Tran of The Villages(R), FL resident, is familiar with dozens of skin conditions. This includes onychomycosis, a toenail fungus that causes the thickening and discoloration of nails.

When fungal infections like onychomycosis occur, many people prefer leaving the infection and letting it disappear on its own. Unfortunately, the immune system is incapable of eliminating a fungal infection without help. Further, leaving onychomycosis untreated results in the infection getting worse. Initially, the infection may appear like a small yellow or white dot, but it grows to take over the entire toenail when ignored. It also leads to crumbling and brittle toenails, a foul odor, and a dark build-up beneath the nail.

Leaving onychomycosis untreated also exposes people to additional risk to their physical health. Since the infection cracks the nail, it opens the foot to other bacteria and may invite cellulitis into the body. This causes pain and swelling in the lower leg, requiring surgical removal or risk of death in certain cases.

Although treating onychomycosis is difficult, it’s not impossible. There are several possible methods of taking care of the fungus, including non-prescription options, prescription medications, prescription creams, and nail removal. The specific treatment method depends on each patient and varies based on how they respond to other treatment attempts in the past. Getting this treatment as early as possible prevents patients from experiencing or facing any related complications in the future.