The Best Cure For Toenail Fungus
- Prescription-strength topical creams that target your specific fungus and are more effective than over-the-counter varieties.
- Oral medications that treat the problem systemically.
- Clearing the infection through nail debridement or scraping.
- We may opt to remove the nail with surgery for infections that dont respond to these treatments. Permanent removal may be the only option to stop the infection from spreading.
Q: Does Medicare Pay For Diabetic Shoes And Custom Orthotics
A: Medicare will cover diabetic shoes and inserts with some patients.
- Patients must meet and have specific qualifying conditions that must be verified by the Physician managing their diabetes.
- If you have diabetes, you should have an annual foot evaluation performed by a foot doctor or podiatrist to determine if you are eligible for this benefit through Medicare and other insurance carriers.
Treating A Fungal Infection At Home
Sometimes, its possible to treat a fungal infection at home, although it can take a very long while and isnt always effective. If you wish to try, you will need to follow a cleansing routine daily for many months in order to suppress the infection. Some cosmetic issues related to toenail fungus can be resolved through filing off white markings and applying an over-the-counter antifungal medicine.
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Adult And Pediatric Podiatrists/foot And Ankle Surgery Located In Wayne Nj
Toenail fungus affects 20% of all Americans, and by age 60, 75% of adults experience this frustrating problem. If your nail looks white, yellow, ragged, or thicker than usual, its time to see skilled podiatrists Heidi Godoy, DPM, and Johanna Godoy, DPM, at Alps Road Family Foot & Ankle. The experienced doctors can administer fungal nail care right away to help you clear your infected nail quickly. Call the Wayne, New Jersey, office or book your visit online today.
Common Causes Of Ingrown Toenails
The leading cause of ingrown toenails is improper foot care essentially, not visiting your podiatrist or trimming your toenails often enough. Cutting nails too short or leaving the corner of the nail square also makes ingrown nails more likely.
Other factors that make ingrown nails more likely include wearing too-small shoes or even the natural shape of your toenails. Athletes constantly pounding the pavement, teachers, nurses, and anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet will also be at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail.
In very rare cases, ingrown toenails happen suddenly, after banging your toe just in the right place or having a hefty weight fall on top of it.
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Choose The Best Shoes
As long as your feet as well as socks stay enclosed in difficult, hot footwear, fungi prospers.
If you use them, ensure theyre not also constricted and that you have adequate area for your feet. Leather is a good material for shoes.
To maintain your feet completely dry and also comfy, select socks made from synthetic fibers rather than cotton or woollen. There is a process called wicking.
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Is There Any Way To Prevent Toenail Fungus
Theres no way to prevent toenail fungus entirely, but there are steps you can take to significantly lower your risk. Dr. Qualtire recommends:
- Washing your hands and feet regularly
- Trimming your nails straight across
- Wearing shoes that are made of breathable materials
- Giving up nail polish and artificial nails
You can also lower your risk of toenail fungus by wearing shoes in public locker rooms and pool areas.
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Is It Essential To Treat All Of The Toenails Or Can I Get Laser For Only One Toe
Studies have shown that if one toe is infected, even normal looking toenails often have fungus hiding in them. For optimal outcomes of laser treatment it has been found to be most effective to treat all 10 nails. If we only treat the one toe the odds of reinfection are much higher, so we do not offer treatment of only one nail.
When Should I See A Bethesda Or Springfield Podiatrist
If you have a condition that compromises your immune system, home treatments and remedies may not be a viable option to begin with, so its important to see a podiatrist right away to avoid complications and minimize risks. For healthy individuals, home treatments may help to get rid of the fungus, but they are never a guarantee.
If you find that you have stubborn toenail fungus that wont go away with home treatments or you need to see a podiatrist because you have diabetes or another condition, Dr. Paul Ross can help! Please dont hesitate to give us a call at .
The Podiatry Centers located in Bethesda, Maryland and Springfield, Virginia treat all medical and surgical foot and ankle conditions. Licensed Podiatrist, Dr. Paul Ross can help bring you foot and ankle pain relief.
Our Bethesda, Maryland and Springfield, Virginia Podiatry offices offer the most effective and state-of-the-art, quality podiatry care services with a smile to patients in our local community, including: Woodbridge VA, Fairfax VA, Annandale VA, Arlington VA, Alexandria VA, Burke VA, Gaithersburg MD, Potomac MD, Silver Spring MD, Rockville MD and Chevy Chase MD.
Return to a pain-free life and get back to the things you love!
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Management Of Nail Fungus
The management of nail fungus depends on the type of fungus, the severity of infection, and the number of nails involved. Since, nail fungus usually involves the nail bed, due to the poor penetration of topical antifungals, their efficacy is limited and chances of re-infection and relapse are in the range of 20-25% cases. Also, systemic antifungals pose a threat to the health of the patient due to their interactions with other drugs and potential hepatotoxicity. Therefore, the combination of these approaches is used to treat the infection.
Recently, two topical agents efinaconazole and tavaborole are found to be more effective than ciclopirox , which is a commonly used topical antifungal. Itraconazole and terbinafine are commonly used oral antifungals. The liver panel should be updated when taking oral antifungals, in addition to monitoring the drug interactions. Their benefits should outweigh the cons and they are especially beneficial when other co-morbidities are present . The limiting factor is that the treatment needs to be carried out for nearly a year to see results.
Discoloration Of The Nail Plates
Discoloration of the nail plates is usually the least worrisome of toenail problems.
Your nails are susceptible to discoloration from substances you come into contact with. Nail polish, dye from your shoes, and other products containing dye can stain your nails.
Drugs, including some cancer drugs, antibiotics, and those used to treat autoimmune disorders, can also cause discoloration of your nail plates.
Discoloration is usually not painful and will improve when your nail grows out or when you stop taking the medication or using the product that caused the discoloration.
There is a rare medical condition that can cause your nail plates to turn white.
Symptoms
Other than the discoloration, there arent usually any other symptoms associated with discolored nail beds.
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Toenail Fungus Treatment Done By Doctors
Getting rid of toenail fungus will give you the confidence to expose your feet again. Our foot doctors offer unmatched expertise curing toenail fungus, since our foot doctors focus exclusively on toenail fungus removal. Our podiatrists serve Los Angeles, New York City, Dallas, Boston, and over 60 other major cities. The foot doctors of Laser Nail Therapy offer state-of-the-art toenail fungus laser treatment, combined with first rate patient care. Most of our locations are open 7 days a week from 9am to 9pm.
Can I Treat My Ingrown Toenail At Home
Yes, sometimes, provided it is still in its early stages. Whenever you first notice the early symptoms of an ingrown toenail, there are a few home remedies you can try.
- First, soak your feet in warm water, with Epsom salts if possible, for at least 10 minutes every day. This will soften the nail and make it less sharp.
- If the damage is very superficial, you can try to file away the offending nail edge. Its best if someone helps you with this, as it will lessen the chances of accidentally cutting your foot.
- Apply an antibiotic cream or ointment around the area.
- Take an anti-inflammatory pain reliever, such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen .
If possible, try to wear open-toe sandals or wide shoes for a few days.
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Possible Risks And Complications
A podiatry laser has no effect on healthy tissue. It targets only the infected areas. Happily, patients who undergo laser nail treatment for fungus removal should experience no discomfort during or after the treatment.
In some cases, patients have reported feeling a warming sensation or a slight pinprick.
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How Is It Treated
Whether to treat a fungal nail infection is up to you. If it isnt treated, it wont go away. It might get worse.
If you decide to treat a fungal nail infection, you can try a non-prescription antifungal medicine that comes in a cream, lotion, or nail polish. Your doctor can also prescribe a stronger medicine. You may need to use this medicine for a few weeks or for as long as a year. Even so, it may not get rid of the infection.
Antifungal pills give the best chance of curing a severe fungal nail infection. But they may cost a lot and have serious side effects. You will need to see your doctor for regular testing if you take these pills.
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When To Go To The Doctor
If you suspect that you have nail fungus, dont hesitate to seek medical treatment. Over-the-counter antifungals may help keep the fungus from spreading to other nails, but they arent as effective at treating the nail bed as prescription medications. The dermatologists at The Dermatology Clinic can diagnose nail fungus and determine which course of treatment would be the most effective for your specific case. In addition, they can recommend ways to prevent nail fungus from reoccurring after it has been treated. Schedule an appointment today.
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Symptoms Of Toenail Fungus
There are various symptoms to watch out for when you are trying to self-diagnose toenail fungus. These symptoms can include:
- The toenail becoming brittle and ragged with edges that seem to be crumbling.
- A thickening of the toenail that is more than normal.
- The toenail growing into a distorted shape and thickening as it grows.
- When the nail turns a darker shade because of trapped dirt.
- There is a foul smell coming from the nail itself.
- The toenail is turning a different colorlike a yellow-brown or a white-yellow.
If you are experiencing any or more of these symptoms, it might be time to try some home remedies or treatments. You can either deal with them at home, by using over-the-counter medications like nail creams or ointments. Or you can alter the nail yourself and then add the medication. Altering the nail may include thinning it down with a file or trimming it down with a clipper or nail scissors. Being able to get to the infected parts of the nail is important when applying medicine.
Dont get to this point if you can. There are a few preventative care measures you can take right now of your nail:
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Do You Need The Help Of An Experienced And Caring Podiatrist Contact Our El Paso Foot Doctor Today
If you’re experiencing any type of foot pain you should speak with an experienced podiatrist as soon as possible. Please contact us online to schedule your appoinment or call one of our convenient El Paso offices directly. To reach our Sierra Tower Building podiatrist office please call 915.533.5151. You can find driving directions here. To reach our George Dieter Drive podiatry office please call 915.856.3331. Driving directions are available here.
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What Are Fungal Toenails
Fungal toenails develop from infection with fungal microorganisms. The fungus attacks the toenail where the cuticle grows, and as the infection spreads, it makes the nail look thickened and yellow, and can also be painful. Fungal infections are often picked up at public places where people walk barefoot, such as swimming pools and locker rooms.
Feet are prone to infection with fungus because the warm, moist, dark environment in your shoes provide the ideal breeding ground for fungal growth.
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How Do You Treat Nail Fungus
Often, treatment begins with testing. Your podiatrist scrapes a small amount of the fungus for lab analysis. Then they recommend treatment based on the exact kind of nail fungus and its severity.
Common treatment approaches for fungal nails include:
- Debridement removal of the infected portion of your nail
- Oral anti-fungal medication
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See A Podiatrist For Toenail Fungus Treatment
If youre uncomfortable with the appearance of your toes, make an appointment with a podiatrist. Professional, modern treatment methods are more effective at clearing up fungal infections than over the counter and home remedies.
Tackling a fungal infection on your own could be difficult and frustrating. Over-the-counter creams are often not strong enough to treat infections appropriately, and more complex treatments arent available for consumer use. The toenail fungus doctors, or podiatrists, at Arizona Foot Doctors are qualified to deal with many foot and ankle issues, including toenail fungus, and are dedicated to making you feel confident and comfortable throughout the treatment process.
After a gentle evaluation, our podiatrists will prescribe the most appropriate treatment for your situation, identify any underlying causes, and help you avoid future infections.
How Are Fungal Toenails Treated
As a starting point, we have to mention that you can find over-the-counter products that advertise as being able to help with this condition. The fact of the matter, though, is that they are not effective.
Many of those OTC use natural ingredients that arent proven to work. When you want the fungus to be eradicated, you need the right kind of medication, which is where our office can help.
Dr. Scudday can prescribe oral and topical medications to target the fungus and restore your nails back to a healthy, clear state.
The oral medications target the infection from the inside-out. They travel through the bloodstream and can reach dermatophytes residing underneath nail tissue. Conversely, topical medication is applied to affected toenails and works to eradicate fungus residing on the surface.
If you have a case of fungal toenails, come in and see Dr. Scudday for treatment at the earliest opportunity. The infection will only continue to worsen the longer it is left untreated.
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How Do Dermatologists Diagnose Nail Fungus
To find out if a patient has nail fungus, a dermatologist examines your nails and nearby skin. Its important to check the skin because the fungus can spread. You may already have a skin infection caused by fungus like athletes foot.
To get rid of the infection, you will need to treat all infected areas.
Before giving you the diagnosis, your dermatologist may also take some samples. Collecting a bit of debris from beneath a nail, trimming off part your nail, or scraping off a bit of skin can be very helpful. In a lab, these samples can be examined under a microscope to find out whats causing the problem.
Are you hiding an infected nail with nail polish?
Be sure to ask your dermatologist if you can wear nail polish while treating nail fungus.
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Avoid Risk Of Infection
A fungus that starts on your toenail can spread to other areas of the body, causing additional complications. If you notice the skin around your toe on your foot becoming red, itchy, and cracked, this can be a sign of an athlete’s foot, which also requires treatment. In severe cases, the spread of bacteria from untreated toenail fungus can cause cellulitis. If the skin on your foot, ankle, or lower leg becomes swollen, red, and painful to the touch, you should seek immediate medical attention to avoid a life-threatening infection that can occur in some cases of cellulitis.
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When To See A Doctor
Itâs time to go from self-care to seeing a medical professional if any of these six conditions apply in your case.
- Blunt trauma to the toenail, such as a heavy object dropped on the toe, which may need to have a fracture or wound treated
- Severe swelling, pain, or redness of the toe
- Discharge from under the toenail
- Toenail becomes loose
- If you have neuropathy, diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or any condition that affects healing or circulation
- Discoloration appears as a linear streak or a stripe going with the length of the nail. Although a streak of pigment is often normal, in some cases it may be a sign of the skin cancer melanoma.
If the nail is raised, the doctor may relieve the pressure by drilling a hole through the nail. If it is loose, the nail may be trimmed or even reattached to protect the nail bed while the nail is regrowing.
You should avoid removing or drilling the injured nail at home. Doing so could lead to infection and slow the healing process. If you are unable to seek immediate care, bandage the nail and avoid trimming or cutting of any sort.
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