this is completely normal and most common foot problem- sounds like a fungal infection. The nail will be brittle, thicker, discolored (yellow, green) and can have subungual debree (junk under nail). The fungus is live and lives under your nail- cant hurt you but looks ugly.
A less likely diagnose would be from the trauma caused by your toe surgery but not likely- they would have had to damage the nail bed (the part that looks like the half moon).
Fungal infections does have to do with hygiene- you get this from other people- like walking around the gym locker room. pool, common area without flip flops. Even someone in the house can have it and you can pass it on from the shower.
Dont worry about passing this on unless you have small kids or people with immuncompromised (poor immune system such as diabetic, older, sick) in the house. - then wear flip flops in the shower and when you trim your nails- do it in a non-common area that is not used.
treatment: fast- lamisil 250mg prescription strength- nothing over the counter- to get it from your doc- you need to do a liver test- making sure you don't have any problems with your liver. Its been proven to cause liver damage (minor). Don't let that scare you- it works on toenails and hand nails. by the way- this can spread from one nail to another.. and then to your hands. Takes about 2-4 weeks to work. You will need a month and half supply to start and then you can repeat if needed once more per year.
if you have liver damage you have no choice but to use topical..
tea tree oil has shown to work about 6% after using it daily for 6-9months daily. All these topical stuff you have to remove the surface of nail and then apply.
Penlac is another that works about 15% and is over the counter- takes 6-9 months as well, use it daily. Prescription penlac is expensive and not that much more effective.
Stone
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