What happens if you ignore your nail fungus? Since nail fungus symptoms do not include pain, it is easy to ignore the problem. Putting off the visit to the doctor is common among people with the infection. However, nail fungus may appear to be a cosmetic problem, but it can also lead to potential health complications. 

Nail fungus can start simply. Many people have had it for years without causing any inconvenience beyond an aesthetic change to the nails. This is why people tend not to take it seriously. However, in many cases, nail fungus can progress to become severe. Also, it can spread to other parts of the body and affect your life in many ways.

First and foremost, nail fungus is an aesthetic condition since it brings visible changes to your nail, including thickening, ridges, and a change in color to become yellow, or even brown or black. While this may seem trivial now, people find as time goes on that their nails become a source of embarrassment to them, which affects their confidence and self-esteem, and even their lifestyle, since they no longer want to expose their nails, even in sandals or by the pool.

Nail fungus is caused by fungal spores that are extremely infectious, and that means that if you leave your nail fungus untreated, you run the risk of infecting others around you. Furthermore, the fungi that cause nail fungus are not restricted exclusively to the nails and can infect the skin as well. This means that as the nail fungus progresses, it can spread to the skin in other parts of your body to cause fungal infections there, including athlete’s foot and jock itch.

Nail fungus affects 12% of the U.S population, although this may seem like a small percentage, take note that these are only the documented cases that have been seen by specialists. There are unprecedented numbers of individuals still out there who have chosen to ignore their nail fungus for one reason or another. Nail fungus has a number of causes and has a number of ways in which it affects individuals. Furthermore, it is a rather slow and progressive infection, meaning that it worsens slowly over time, and by the time it has reached its peak, it can be extremely difficult to treat.

It is important to understand that toenail fungus is highly contagious and can be caught whether it runs in your family or not. If you have been around someone with a nail fungus or are careless when it comes to your foot hygiene, you may be at risk of developing a fungal nail infection. Make sure to avoid direct contact with wet and warm areas, as this is where fungus thrives.

Ignoring toenail fungus can lead to more than cosmetic concerns. As the infection progresses, it may cause several physical complications that affect comfort, mobility, and overall foot health.

Foot Pain and Pressure
Fungal infections often thicken and distort the nail. As the nail grows abnormally, it can press against surrounding skin or rub against shoes, leading to pain, irritation, and difficulty walking comfortably.

Spread of Infection
Toenail fungus feeds on keratin and can spread to neighboring nails or surrounding skin. When the infection reaches the skin, it may develop into athlete’s foot. In some cases, fungal organisms can transfer to other areas of the body through clothing or towels.

Secondary Bacterial Infection
Individuals with diabetes or weakened immune systems face a higher risk of complications. Cracked skin and nail separation create openings where bacteria can enter, potentially leading to cellulitis, a serious skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and tenderness.

Nail Separation and Loss
Advanced fungal infections can cause onycholysis, a condition where the nail detaches from the nail bed. Severe cases may require partial or complete nail removal. In rare situations, doctors may perform a matrixectomy to prevent a chronically infected nail from regrowing.

Toenail fungus does not typically resolve on its own. Seeking treatment early helps prevent progression, reduces complications, and protects long-term nail health.

Many people overlook foot health, especially when symptoms seem minor at first. However, ignoring toenail fungus allows the infection to progress and creates conditions that make it harder to treat later. Simple habits such as failing to dry your feet thoroughly after showering or consistently wearing tight, non-breathable shoes create a warm, moist environment where fungus thrives. Once the infection takes hold under the nail, it rarely resolves without proper treatment.

Left untreated, toenail fungus can spread beyond the original nail. The same fungal organisms can infect the surrounding skin, leading to athlete’s foot. This condition often causes redness, itching, cracking, and irritation between the toes. When skin cracks open, bacteria can enter and potentially cause more serious infections such as cellulitis. In some cases, fungal organisms may also spread to other areas of the body, including the groin (jock itch) or other skin surfaces.

As the infection worsens, nails can become severely thickened, distorted, and brittle. Advanced cases may cause the nail to loosen, detach, or require surgical removal. At this stage, treatment becomes more complex, and recovery may take longer.

Toenail fungus does not typically disappear on its own. Early evaluation and treatment help prevent spread, reduce complications, and protect long-term foot health.

As you can see, tips for healthy feet without nail fungus can be easy to find. If you have caught nail fungus, it can be easily treated using the FDA-approved PinPointe laser. It typically only takes one treatment. Other treatments, such as topical solutions and oral medication, are not as effective. Topical solutions have a very low cure rate. This is because the solution does not penetrate all the way through the nail bed.  This is because it can lead to liver toxicity. You would need to have consistent blood tests throughout the course of taking the medication. 

Our nail doctor in Boca Raton, FL, recommends this treatment for toenail fungus. The PinPointe Laser treatment has the highest cure rate in the market. It has no side effects and no recovery period. As a result, you can go about your daily activities right after the treatment. Also, there’s no pain.

If you have any signs of nail fungus, call us at (800) 672-0625 at our Boca Raton, FL location. Visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.