Fungus is everywhere.  It is in the environment.  It’s everywhere we walk!  This makes it very easy to pick up a toenail fungus.  Nail fungus can make the toenails thick and discolored.  They can also become brittle and painful.  Patients with nail fungus are often embarrassed of their fungal toenails, associating it with poor hygiene.  This is rarely the case!  Typically, people who suffer from nail fungus have had a pervious nail injury or trauma to the nail.  Our skin and nails are our body’s defense to the environment.  When we have some sort of injury to the nail, it then becomes vulnerable to its environment, i.e. fungus!!  Nail fungus can be very difficult to treat.  Since the toenails grow so slow, patients undergoing toenail fungus treatment have to have PATIENCE!!  It can take 9 months to a year for your nails to clear.  If you have a toenail fungus, contact one of the doctors at Academy Foot and Ankle Specialists to get started on treatment now!  By this time next year, you could have beautiful, clear nails!!