Brief Answer:
Skin/toenail fungal infection does not mean you have internal fungi.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

Toe nail and skin fungal infections are dermatological only. Having them does not indicate that you have a systemic fungal infection (internally). It is easy to pick up a superficial fungal infection as there are often fungi in our environment. But we don't get internal fungal infections unless our immune system is significantly impaired, either with chronic illness or by taking an immunosuppressant medication (such as a steroid or chemotherapy or for autoimmune disorders). If a person has fungi internally, they are usually quite ill.

Do take care though when touching the fungal infection on your toes as it can spread to other parts of your body (still external only), in particular to the surrounding skin - or to other people. So use a separate towel, wash it in hot water when washing it, and wash your hands after touching your toes.

Toe nail fungal infections are quite common, especially as we get older. Wear socks and shoes that don't keep in moisture when wearing them, and change out of damp socks. Avoid alcohol and a lot of sweets as fungi like those. Toe nail fungus is notoriously difficult to get rid of, takes time to eliminate, and often comes back. Mostly it is a cosmetic rather than a health problem, unless the skin around the nails start to break down from the fungus, in which case a bacterial infection of the skin can happen. That needs attention. If it isn't too severe, sometimes soaking a skin bacterial infection in hot water a few times/dy will nip it in the bud, but if it doesn't and it is getting worse, then an antibiotic is needed.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.

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