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What Type Of Doctor Treats Nail Fungus

How Do You Treat Toenail Fungus

Doctor explains toe nail fungus treatment

The podiatrists at Foot Healers offer expert treatments to get rid of fungal toenail infections. Depending on your individual needs, they can prescribe anti-fungal medication and trim away the damaged and infected nail.

They also offer state-of-the-art FDA-approved laser treatments for toenail fungus. Laser treatment is fast it takes only around 20 minutes. The pulses of light energy pass through your toenail and target the fungus beneath.

The laser kills the fungal infection without damaging your nail or the surrounding skin. It does take several months for your healthy nail to grow out.

Your foot doctor also talks to you about prevention. Make sure to trim your toenails straight across, and file them to keep the edges smooth. Keep your at-home nail care tools clean and disinfected. It also helps to avoid tight shoes and socks.

You should always wear shower shoes in shared locker rooms or showers and when you use public pools. Keep your feet clean and dry. If youre an athlete, make sure to change your socks and shoes after training or competing.

If you notice any signs of toenail fungus, make an appointment right away. The earlier you address the issue, the easier it is to treat.

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What Causes Nail Fungus

A strain of fungi cause nail fungus infections, and these infections are known for leading to severe nail discoloration and brittleness. Common risk factors and issues that lead to nail fungus include:

  • History of athletes foot
  • Diabetes or poor circulation

You can become infected with a nail fungus strain by walking barefoot in damp communal areas, like a gym locker room or pool deck.

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How Can I Take Good Care Of My Nails

Poor nail care can cause nail problems. To keep your nails healthy, dermatologists recommend the following:

  • Keep your nails clean and dry. This helps prevent nail infections. Wear breathable socks, and use flip-flops at public pools, gyms, locker rooms and
  • Cut your toenails and fingernails straight across, rounding slightly in the center. This keeps your nails

strong and helps prevent ingrown toenails.

  • Keep your toenails short. This minimizes the risk of nail
  • If your toenails are thick and difficult to cut, soak your feet in warm salt water for five to 10 minutes. After drying your feet, apply a cream that contains urea or lactic acid to soften the skin and
  • Smooth rough edges with an emery board. This helps prevent nails from snagging, reducing your risk of nail injury. To avoid an infection, do not share emery boards. If you visit a nail salon, make sure the equipment is sterilized.
  • Avoid biting your nails. Nail biting can not only ruin the look of your nails, but also damage the skin around your

nails, increasing the risk of infection. Avoiding the temptation to bite your nails is especially important if you have or are prone to nail disease. To help patients stop nail biting, dermatologists often recommend applying a bad-tasting nail polish. Behavioral therapy also may help break this habit.

problem, see your dermatologist.

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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

Podiatry Located In Cherry Hill Nj

Dr. Cole

Toenail fungus can be embarrassing, painful, and difficult to treat with over-the-counter methods. The podiatrists at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey offer a variety of effective nail fungus treatments at their location in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Nail fungus is easiest to treat in its early stages. Dont hesitate to call or book an appointment online today.

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What Is Nail Fungus

Also called onychomycosis, nail fungus is a common condition that causes your nails to become discolored, thickened, and crumble at the edge. Fungal infections can affect your fingernails, but this condition is more common in toenails.

Signs and symptoms of nail fungus include:

  • White to yellowish-brown nails
  • Debris buildup beneath the nail

Toenail fungus can spread from one toe to others and affect many toes at the same time. When a fungal infection affects the skin between your toes, its called athletes foot.

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.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Nail Fungus

Fungal infections target the tissues underneath your nail first, so it could take some time for signs and symptoms to fully emerge. Initially, you might notice some white spots on your nails. As the fungal infection worsens, you may experience:

  • Nail thickening
  • Distorted nail shape

Plus, since debris can easily build up under your fragile nail, you might notice dark spots in your nail where you have weak spots.

What Treatments Are Available For Toenail Fungus

Toenail Fungus Treatment Dr Loren Colon

Toenail fungus is often difficult to treat and frequently results in repeat infections. If your condition is mild, your podiatrist may recommend an over-the-counter antifungal nail product like a cream, spray, or powder. During your appointment, your doctor takes a sample of your toenail to determine the type of fungus causing your infection. Knowing the exact type of fungus helps your doctor determine the most effective treatment for your condition.

If your condition doesnt improve with at-home care, your podiatrist may recommend a prescription-strength antifungal medication. Its not uncommon for it to take four or more months to effectively eliminate toenail fungus.

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What Are Common Side Effects Of Toenail Fungus Medication

Topical medications often prescribed to treat toenail fungus can potentially irritate the skin. Itchy, peeling, red flesh and blisters may also occur with many topicals. Consult your doctor if your medication is causing an unwanted skin reaction.

Liver damage is one of the most concerning side effects of some toenail fungus medications. Due to the nature of onychomycosis, many of the medications need to be taken for long periods of time to completely resolve nail fungus. Gastrointestinal issues, dizziness, and trouble breathing are also listed as potential side effects. In addition, if the individual treating the toenail fungus suffers from heart conditions, the medication could interfere with heart health.

Possible Causes Of Toenail Fungus

First off, how did we get to this point? What might have started with a little yellowing has turned into a full-on fungus. And you really just dont know what to do because youre not certain what caused it in the first place.

The truth of the matter here isit could have been caused by a whole number of thingspoor circulation, diabetes, psoriasis, environmental factors like keeping your feet in water too long or being in a locker room that is hot and humid most of the time, etc. The reason behind your toenail fungus could also be a combination of all these things. A fungal infection can spread and get much worse than it already is. If youre starting to see or feel these symptomsyou might want to consider going to a doctor:

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Who Should I See To Treat Toenail Fungus

Your podiatrist can help you take care of not only your feet and ankles, but also your toenails. One very common condition that podiatrists treat are fungal toenail infections. These infections often start as athletes foot, a skin infection, before spreading to the toenails, although they can also occur on just the nails. Symptoms of toenail fungus include changes in the texture, color, and shape of the nail. The nail may become crumbly, brittle, or thickened and develop yellow, white, or brown spots. In more severe cases, the nail can change shape, separate from the nail bed, emit a foul odor, and make wearing shoes uncomfortable. If you have toenail fungus, and particularly if you have toenail fungus and diabetes, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for treatment.

If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact the foot specialists of Certified Foot Care. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Symptoms

  • Warped or oddly shaped nails
  • Yellowish nails

Toenail Fungus Infection Treatment

What Kind Of Doctors Treat Toenail Fungus

As a rule, toenail fungal infections require medical treatment. Over-the-counter products might help some of the symptoms, but itâs a temporary fix. To completely eradicate the fungus and keep it from spreading to other nailsâor peopleâprescription medicine is necessary.

Fair warningâthis isnât a âone and doneâ kind of treatment. âItâs a one year for cure with both orals and topicals, says Dr. Lipner. âOrals are taken for three months, and topicals are taken for one year.â You canât just blame fungus for that.

Toenails grow on average about one millimeter per month, and it takes a least a year for an entirely new, healthy toenail to grow. Treatments vary depending on the type and severity, but typically antifungal medicines are applied to the toenail daily or weekly, while you also take antifungal medicine pills.

Itâs rare, but when medication doesnât resolve the problem, the toenail is surgically removed or non-surgically with a chemical applied to the nail. The nail can grow back, but if the fungus is persistent, a dermatologist can treat the nail so it doesnât grow back.

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What Symptoms Develop Due To Toenail Fungus

The first sign of a toenail fungus is a white or yellow spot that appears under the tip of your toenail. This discoloration marks the area where the fungus invaded.

As the infection spreads deeper into the toenail, the nails become thick and take on a yellow, green, or black color. Your toenail may become misshapen. Its also common for the nail to become fragile, making the edges crumble or crack.

Podiatrist Located In Greater Los Angeles Arcadia Ca

Nail fungus is unsightly and painful, and it can be very difficult to treat, especially without a doctors intervention. As a leading podiatrist in Arcadia, CA, Dr. Wenjay Sung, DPM, offers state-of-the-art solutions for the treatment of nail fungus, helping patients eliminate the fungus and restore the healthy nail

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Common Symptoms Of Toenail Fungus

Value Based Fungal Nail Laser Treatment by Dr. Michael Horwitz

Many cases of toenail fungus are mild and may not bother you, so you may not even realize you have a fungal infection. A toenail fungal infection can begin as a white or yellow spot under the toenail and present no other symptoms. As the condition worsens, it may become painful or uncomfortable when you walk in shoes, and you may notice a change in the appearance of the nail.

The following symptoms are common if you have a fungal nail infection:

  • Nails that turn white or yellow or have yellow or white stripes
  • Thickened or oddly-shaped toenails

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There Is A Wide Range Of Options With Varying Success Rates

Other than keeping your toenails trimmed and perhaps painted, you may not pay much attention to them unless a problem develops. Healthy toenails are pink, shiny and smooth, but a fungal infection can cause them to become discolored, thick, brittle and even painful.

Toenail fungal infection, known as onychomycosis, is a common but challenging condition toenail fungus treatments include a wide range of options with varying success rates.

Causes of toenail fungus

Fungal nail infections are usually caused by fungi called dermatophytes that infect the skin beneath the nail yeast is another common culprit. Toenails are especially vulnerable to infection when your bare feet contact damp surfaces such as showers, swimming pools and locker rooms. If you have athletes foot, the infection can spread to the nails.

Wearing closed shoes such as athletic shoes for extended periods also can contribute to infection if your shoes and/or socks are damp from perspiration or heat. Moreover, if your shoes fit snugly enough to put pressure on your toes, they can damage the nail bed, making it more susceptible to infection.

People with chronic diseases, such as diabetes or circulatory problems, also may be more prone to toenail infections.

Symptoms of toenail fungus

Toenail fungus symptoms can develop slowly over time and may go unnoticed at first. Symptoms can include:

Toenail fungus treatments

When to see a doctor for toenail fungus

Preventing toenail fungus

Do You Need The Help Of An Experienced And Caring Podiatrist Contact Our El Paso Foot Doctor Today

If youre 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 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

What Does A Fungal Nail Infection Look Like

Cure Toenail Fungus Listerine

When nails are infected by a fungus, they often become thicker and discolored. You also may notice flakes under the nail, white or yellow streaks on the nail, or crumbling at the corner or tip of the nail. Nails also may split or lift away from the skin.

When caught early, a fungal nail infection may clear with a topical antifungal treatment. Many fungal nail infections, however, require medicine that works throughout the body. Your dermatologist may prescribe an antifungal medicine that comes in pill or liquid form. Laser procedures also may be used to treat the nail.

Its important to see a board-certified dermatologist before starting any treatment for a suspected fungal nail infection.

Other conditions may look like nail fungus, and you should not use an antifungal treatment if you dont have a fungal infection.

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