Whitish Or Yellowish Patch
Another type of fungal infection is called proximal subungual onychomycosis. It looks like a whitish or yellowish patch that starts at the base of the toenail, near the cuticle. The infection is rare in healthy people. More often, it happens in people with weakened immune systems. It can also be a sign of HIV.
Can A Doctor Fix Toenail Fungus
If you recognize the symptoms of toenail fungus, you must meet with the right doctor, a podiatrist, for proper treatment. Podiatrists will treat toenail fungus by using topical creams, removing part of the nail, and or using more modern methods like laser therapy to eliminate the infection.
What kind of doctor takes off toenails?
Although many types of doctors, including family physicians, pediatricians, urgent-care walk-in physicians, and dermatologists, can treat ingrown toenails, podiatrists are uniquely qualified among the medical professionals to treat this condition.
What doctor treats white superficial onychomycosis?
Toenail fungus is notoriously tricky to treat. You may need to treat the condition for several months to get rid of the fungus. Still, toenail fungus often comes back. A dermatologist or podiatrist can explain your treatment options.
Why Does This Condition Develop
The responsible microorganisms in this case are yeasts, molds, and fungi known as dermatophytes. They are typically found in environments that are warm and damp. Dermatophytes can thrive in the dark and do not require sunlight to survive.
If we take a moment to consider the ideal environment for funguswarm, damp, and darkit can almost perfectly describe a foot encased in a sock and shoe .
When the conditions are right, the offensive fungus will attach to unprotected feet. From there, it usually requires a cut or abrasion of some sort to nestle in and make itself at home. Given the microscopic nature of these fungal spores, the cut doesnt have to be particularly great in sizeeven tiny ones allow microorganisms to enter.
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What Kind Of Doctor To See For Toenail Fungus
If you notice unusual changes in your nails you need to see a foot nail doctor, who is a podiatrist. A podiatrist deals with all your foot, ankle, heels, and nail issues. They effectively offer toenail fungus treatment Houston and recommend surgical treatment where necessary. Some people prefer visiting a dermatologist, but then the specialist must be able to diagnose and treat skin, hair, and nail conditions.
Toenail fungus is caused by dermophytes fungithat thrive on the keratin andthe skin keratin is a component of the nails and the hair. The fungus gets under the nail bed in addition to causing discoloration, which is one of the visible symptoms, it grows and it destroys the nail growth. The nail may fall off, become brittle, thicken, and harden. The condition can be very challenging to get rid ofsometimes.
Home remedies do not cause any harm, however, relying on them when looking to get rid of the fungus can be risky. This is because most of the time you do not have the correct diagnosis and it could be dangerous for your health. If left untreated toenail fungus causes deformity and severe pain.
If home remedies are not improving your fungal toenail, you may want to consult a nail fungus doctor at DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale, a foot and ankle specialist will provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet. She has many options for toenail fungus treatment in her Houston office
Are There Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus
The Internet is filled with anecdotal information on how to cure toenail fungus using home remedies. Vinegar is a commonly recommended home remedy. Some people apply various oils such as tea tree oil, coconut oil, essential oils, and oil of cedar leaf to their nails as well. The effectiveness of these home remedies is highly doubtful. Application of household bleach and hydrogen peroxide is also not recommended due to lack of evidence that these treatments work. These agents can also cause unwanted skin irritation. Thickened nails that have been affected by fungus can be difficult to trim. Using topical urea cream will soften the nail and make it easier to trim. These creams do not require a prescription.
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What Is A Doctor Treats Nail Fungus On Hands
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Do Oral Medications Help
Taking a course of oral antifungal medication is likely your best treatment option. Like topical treatments, oral medication can require the patient to commit to a lengthy treatment time. Dr. Wagenseller explained, Oral medication is most effective, but it requires at least three months of treatment. Unfortunately, the most effective pill has possible systemic side effects. Its important for patients to work closely with the dermatologist and/or a general physician throughout the treatment process to ensure safety and avoid long-term damage from the potential side effects of antifungal medications.
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When To See A Podiatrist
Even with the best efforts at home-based remedies, a time might come when you need to seek professional help. Going to a general practitioner can be helpful, but contacting a podiatrist directly will expedite the treatment and healing process.
You should visit a podiatrist when you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms of a fungal infection. Again, these include discoloration, thickening, or deformities. The sooner you seek treatment, the easier it will be to clear up the fungal infection, so dont ignore the signs of trouble even if they arent causing you significant distress.
Its especially important to make an appointment with a podiatrist if:
A podiatrist can treat a fungal infection with a few different methods, depending upon the severity of the infection. First, an oral medication might be prescribed. Unfortunately many have side effects, including permanent damage to the liver.
Laser treatment is another option and is sometimes very effective. Before scheduling a laser treatment, ensure it is covered by your insurance, as anything involving lasers can quickly get very expensive.
If the toenail is very infected or the infections are occurring regularly, a podiatrist might opt to remove the toenail. While this is never an ideal option, it will permanently resolve the issue.
So What Exactly Is Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is an infection of the toenails, also called onychomycosis . In reality, it can affect both your fingernails and your toenails, though is much more common in toenails.
The fungus can also spread from your nails and nail beds to the skin between your toes. This is called athletes foot, and similarly, toenail fungus can be caused by athletes foot.
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Pros Of Laser For Toenail Fungus Treatment:
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If You See A Doctor What Will Your Treatment Be
When you see your toenail fungus doctor, there may be a few treatments they recommend or prescribe some of which are more pleasant than others. It all depends on the kind of fungus you have, as well as how severe your case is.
The doctor may have to take samples, which would be sent off to a lab to determine exactly what kind of fungus you have. So, be prepared for multiple doctor visits.
Your doctor may prescribe oral antifungal drugs or topical antifungal therapies. Sometimes, combining the two types of treatment has more success than one alone.
Oral antifungal drugs are generally taken for six to twelve weeks, but most of the time, you wont see any positive results until the nail has completely grown out.
There are also medicated nail polishes and medicated nail creams that can be prescribed, but the nail polish can take up to a year to deliver results.
In the most severe of cases, surgery to temporarily remove the nail might be recommended. This is so the doctor can treat the fungal infection under the nail directly.
If the infection is severe enough, the doctor might recommend the permanent removal of the nail.
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Treatment Options For Nail Fungus
Interviewer:
Interviewer:
Dr. Hull:
Most of my conversation is usually discussing medical therapy, so things that are available by prescription only. And those come in two main forms, which are topical antifungal medications, and then oral antifungal medications. There are other surgical or procedural options, so you can remove nails as well. And then theres starting to be more interest in technologies like lasers for nail fungus.
Interviewer:
Do I Need Treatment For Nail Fungus
Yes. Nail fungus is a stubborn infection, so ignoring it or trying to treat it on your own can lead to further complications, including losing the toenail entirely. At New Canaan Podiatry, you can receive innovative nail fungus solutions designed to tackle the most complex fungal infections.
Dr. Tauber evaluates your feet and talks with you about your symptoms. Depending on the severity of your nail fungus infection, your treatment plan can include:
- Medicated nail polish
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Which Medical Treatments Can Help My Toenail Fungus
Oral antifungal drugs help clear the infection from inside the body, allowing healthy nail growth to replace infected sections. You usually take the pills for six to 12 weeks and see the final result after four months or more.
Medicated nail polish is another option for toenail fungus. You paint layers of medication on your toe for a week and then clean the accumulated medication and start over. This treatment may take a year of daily application to see results.
Dr. Yamini can also prescribe a medicated cream that you apply to the nail after softening it with water, a file, or urea lotion. If your nails dont respond to medication, Dr. Yamini can remove diseased portions of the nail and apply an antifungal medication directly to the infected area.
Since treatment correlates with the slow rate at which toenails grow, its important to be patient and consistent with your treatment. No matter how you treat your toenail fungus, reinfection is always a possibility. Check in with Dr. Yamini as soon as you can if you notice the fungus returning.
If your toenail fungus bothers you and hasnt responded to at-home treatments, contact Dr. Yamini online or over the phone.
When To See A Podiatrist About Nail Fungus
When to See a Podiatrist About Nail Fungus
Your local podiatrist can accurately diagnose and effectively treat an incredible array of problems that affect your feet, including nail fungus. While many people think of nail fungus as a minor inconvenience or merely a cosmetic issue, it can in fact lead to serious health problems. When left untreated by your Houston podiatrist , nail fungus can lead to permanent nail damage and infections that spread beyond your feet. While its best to visit your foot doctor sooner, rather than later, you should definitely take the time to schedule an appointment if the following factors apply to you.
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Fungal Nail Infection Diagnosis
Our doctors will speak to you about the symptoms that you are experiencing and ask any appropriate questions that will need to be answered in order to make a diagnosis. They can also take a look at the infected nail or nails through our online video consultation service.
They may ask you about any previous cases of fungal nail infections, other skin infections such as athletes foot and may want to run through your medical history.
You can learn more about what will happen during an online consultation and how our doctors would diagnose the condition.
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What Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider About Toenail Fungus
If you have toenail fungus, you may find it helpful to ask your provider:
- What type of infection do I have?
- Do you recommend I treat it? Why or why not?
- How long will I need treatment?
- What steps can I take to stop it from coming back?
- Should I be aware of any potentially serious complications or treatment side effects?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Toenail fungus is an incredibly common infection that can be difficult to treat. The condition usually isnt painful, but it may make you feel self-conscious about how your foot looks. If it bothers you, talk to your provider about your treatment options. A trained specialist can provide guidance on whats most likely to address your concerns while protecting your overall health.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/17/2020.
References
When To Call A Doctor For Severe Nail Fungal Infection
Nail fungal infections can be treated without going to the doctor. They can be successfully and easily cured with over-the-counter medications. Many topical ointments, though, get a bad rap because they are thought to be ineffective in treating nail fungus. However, newer topical solutions that have 10% undecylenic acid and nail-penetrating essential oils are proven to provide effective, safe, and fast cure.
For severe cases of nail fungal infections, its best to see a doctor for best possible treatments. These include worst case scenarios of onychomycosis, in which patients deal with discomfort or increased pain and swelling, other infections, red streaks extending from the area, discharge of pus, and fever with no other cause.
Its also best to go to a doctor if the fungal infection appears to be spreading to the surrounding skin. Other people also seek a doctors advice even if their nail condition is a moderate case because the appearance of the infected nail bothers them.
A general practitioner may be able to handle nail fungal infection cases. However, it is recommended to seek a dermatologist to pinpoint the problem. A dermatologist can give proper diagnosis on skin and nail conditions, and therefore will be able to identify the fungal infection and what type it is.
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What Is A Fungal Infection
There are two broad categories of fungal infections:
Dermatologists treat fungal infections of the skin, as well as fungal infections in hair and nails. Often, these infections appear as itchy, scaley, rashes on the skin.
Superficial infections are known by common names such as athletes foot and ringworm, or by medical names that indicate the fungus and location. These infections include:
Nail fungus, knowns as onychomycosis or tinea unguum, is the most common fungal infection with over three million cases a year.
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Laser Treatment Vs Other Treatments
Oral medications and topical antifungal creams are the most common options for treating toenail fungus. Your doctor may prescribe a combination of both topical and oral medications based on your condition. However, both medications have a limited success rate and take more time to show results, taking more than a year to work. Additionally, you may become impatient and uncompliant if your treatment takes longer than expected. If you are not responding to these treatments, your doctor may recommend laser toenail fungus therapy.
Podiatrists prefer laser treatments since they are effective and a safer alternative to oral medications that act slower and have undesirable side effects. Most people also forget to take oral medication or apply it to the affected area regularly, delaying healing. Laser therapy revitalizes your nails naturally to grow healthier and clean. Your doctor may recommend combining topical medication with primary laser treatment for the best results. Topical medications have minimal side effects compared to oral medications. Laser treatment is applied to the fungal infection by shining laser light through your toenail to vaporize the fungus without harming the surrounding tissues. Before treatment, removing any decorations on your nails and nail polish is essential.
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