Solutions for Toenail Fungus

Onychomycosis is the medical term for toenail fungus. Onychomycosis begins when fungus gets under the toenail and starts and infection. If left untreated, the toenail fungus can spread to the other toes and even the fingernails. The best thing to do is to schedule an appointment with your local chiropodist.

What Causes Toenail Fungus?
Your feet are vulnerable to fungi and bacteria due to their location on the body. The increased risk is especially true if you go barefoot in damp areas like locker rooms, showers, and swimming pools. Increasingly toenail fungus infections are the result of unsanitized tools at your local nail salon. An injury to the nail bed also opens your body up to fungus. Other possible risk factors include pre-existing medical conditions like immune-deficiency, diabetes, circulatory problems, and other chronic illnesses.

Podiatry Treatment for Toenail Fungus
Schedule an appointment with your chiropodist promptly when you notice differences in the appearance of your toenail. Some apparent changes include any thickening, discoloration, or deformity. Your chiropodist will first need to make a diagnosis before treatment starts. Diagnosis can be made either visually or by biopsy of the toenail to get tested by a lab.

The first line of treatment includes oral and topical antifungal. Topical antifungal medication (e.g. Jublia, Penlac) or cream (e.g. Lamisil) is applied directly to the nail. Oral antifungals are more effective; however, they carry a higher risk than topical. Laser treatment of toenail fungus has also shown good efficacy at helping to clear the toenail of fungus. Laser treatment for toenail fungus works best in combination with topical antifungal medication. In severe cases, nail surgery to remove the toenail may be required.

Toenails that don’t respond to any treatment need permanent nail removal. Toenail surgery eliminates the fungal infection while getting rid of the damaged nail.

At-Home Solutions for Toenail Fungus
There are a few things you can do at home to help treat your toenail fungus. A strict cleaning regime can relieve mild infections. Patients have found success in filing off the white marks and then applying over-the-counter antifungal agents. These do not stop infections from coming back, so we encourage patients to seek treatment from a medical professional.