What should I do if my toenail gets a fungal infection (onychomycosis)?

When toenails are affected by onychomycosis (fungal nail infection), the following measures should be promptly taken for treatment: 1. **Mild Onychomycosis**: Local application of antifungal medications such as ciclopirox cream or tioconazole solution may be used. Before application, the infected nail should be thinned and thoroughly cleaned. 2. **Severe Onychomycosis**: A combination of topical and oral antifungal medications is required, such as itraconazole or terbinafine, along with adjunctive treatments like compound povidone-iodine lotion, used under a doctor's guidance. 3. **Adjunctive Therapy**: Soaking in potassium permanganate solution is also an effective adjunctive treatment; however, care must be taken to control the concentration and duration of use. 4. **Surgical Treatment**: In severe cases, surgical treatment may be considered, but this should be performed at a qualified hospital and according to the doctor's recommendations. 5. **Prevention of Recurrence**: After treatment, personal hygiene should be maintained to avoid reinfection. Keep the feet clean and dry, and avoid sharing shoes, socks, or other personal items with individuals who have onychomycosis.