Which Doctor To See For Nail Fungus

People In Danger For Feet Fungus

You can establish nail fungi because of a variety of factors, such as:

• As we age, our blood flow slows down, we are more exposed to fungal infections, and also our nails grow much more gradually
• Sweating greatly
• Having actually had athletes foot in the past
• Walking with no feet cover in wet public areas, such as swimming pools, fitness centers as well as shower rooms
• Injuries to the skin or nails or skin problem, such as psoriasis, prevail
• A weak immune system, diabetes or blood circulation concerns

Podiatrist Toenail Fungus Specialist

Toenail fungus is an infection underneath the surface of the nail caused by fungi. When the tiny organisms take hold, the nail often becomes darker in color, debris may collect beneath the nail plate, and white marks may appear on the nail plate. The infection is capable of spreading to other toenails, the skin, or even the fingernails. The resulting fungal nails are thicker and difficult to trim making walking painful when wearing shoes. Toe fungus removal can be performed by a podiatrist.

If your condition is mild and not disturbing you, you may not require treatment. If your nail fungus is painful and has caused thickened nails, self-care steps and meds may help. Yet, regardless of whether treatment is effective, nail fungus regularly returns.

Nail fungus is called onychomycosis .

When fungus infects the zones of the skin of your feet, its called athletes foot .

With fungal nail infections, the main cause is typically

Certain behaviors and preexisting conditions that can affect your risk of nail fungus include:

There are many overlaps between nail fungus and nail cancer. Since its easy to mistake cancer of the nail for a fungal infection, you should see a doctor immediately to get a definitive diagnosis.

See a doctor immediately if you suspect you have toenail fungus or subungual melanoma.

If you wait too long for diagnosis and treatment, theres a risk of the cancer spreading throughout the bodys organs and lymph nodes.

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 doctorscan provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Symptoms

• Warped or oddly shaped nails
• Yellowish nails

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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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Advancing Orthopaedic Medicine Through Research

The doctors and researchers in our Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center are committed to advancing our field through scientific discovery and education. As the only academic medical center in central Pennsylvania, Hershey Medical Center is a national leader in research, in partnership with Penn State College of Medicine, and on the leading edge of new treatment options, including clinical trials.

Convenient Locations

Find the care your family needs, close to home, at one of our many locations throughout central Pennsylvania.

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Treatment Options For Nail Diseases

There are a variety of treatment plans available, depending on the cause of your nail trouble. Nail fungus may be treated with an oral antifungal medication, but creams typically dont work against fungus. If you have a simple infection, it may go away on its own. You should talk with your doctor if you develop an abscess. If an underlying medical problem is causing your nail disease, you may also need to see a specialist. For example, psoriatic arthritis a nail disease linked to the skin condition psoriasis is treated by a rheumatologist as well as a dermatologist.

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Know It May Have To Be Permanent

At this point, if he or she has not discussed this with you earlier, the doctor may recommend that you have the nail permanently prevented from growing back. This is only done in severe cases of fungus or other disorders where the problem would simply keep occurring if the nail grew back.

To do this, the doctor must destroy the nail matrix, which is the part of the toe that produces keratin, the element that toenails are made of.

The matrix can be dissolved chemically, which is the most common. This is called chemical cauterization, and involves the application of a chemical called phenol. Occasionally, some patients report their nails growing back, but generally this method is effective.

If this does not work, your doctor will perform a surgical matrixectomy. A flap of skin is surgically created at the base of the nail, where the matrix is located. After retracting the flap, the matrix is surgically removed.

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Can I Wear Nail Polish If I Have Toenail Fungus

You may feel tempted to cover up a discolored toenail with nail polish. If you are using a topical antifungal, you probably should not use polish. Some providers may tell you not to wear it in any case. Polish traps in moisture from the nailbed . Because fungi thrive in moist environments, wearing nail polish may make a fungal infection worse. However, the nail continues to grow with or without polish.

Get Care Anywhere Any Time

Book appointments online and see the same great doctors in-person or with a video visit

Practice

• New York College of Podiatric Medicine, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine

Common visit reasons

Practice

• Temple University, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
• Brooklyn Hospital Center, Residency in Reconstructive Forefoot, Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery
• Emory University

Practice

• American Board of Podiatric Surgery

• New York College of Podiatric Medicine, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine

Professional memberships

• Academy of Ambulatory Foot and Ankle Surgery

Common visit reasons

Practice

• New York College of Podiatric Medicine, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine

Common visit reasons

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How To Care For Your Nails

You can prevent many nail abnormalities by taking good care of your nails. Follow these general guidelines to keep your nails healthy:

If you have a problem with brittle or weak nails, keep them short to avoid breakage. Use lotion on your nails and cuticles to keep the nail and nail beds moisturized.

Types Of Toenail Fungus With Pictures

There are four different types of toenail fungus, each with its own symptoms and treatment options. Deciding which type of toenail fungus you have is easier if you know what to look for. These pictures act as a visual guide.

The most common type is distal subungual Onychomycosis, which accounts for as many as 85% of cases. The fungus is easy to distinguish because it causes thick, discolored nails, scaling underneath of it, and nails that easily crumble.

Onychomycosis, better known as toenail fungus, is a common ailment that affects millions of people every year. Characterized by changes in the color of the toenail, such as looking white, black, or yellow, the fungus is an infection underneath the nail that is caused by yeast or other bacteria. They attack the keratin found in your nail to survive, and if left untreated, toenail fungus can cause an embarrassing, foul-smelling odor that prevents you from wearing sandals or otherwise feeling comfortable being barefoot.

Some people suffer from white superficial Onychomycosis, which occurs when the nail turns white and begins to crumble.

People who have ailments that suppress their immune systems may suffer from proximal subungual Onychomycosis, which turns the nail white near the cuticle.

Finally, candidal Onychomycosis is a type of fungus that causes the nail to separate completely from the bed.

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How Much Is Laser Toenail Fungus Removal

While laser toenail fungus treatment is FDA approved, very effective, and very successful, most insurance companies, unfortunately, do not cover it.

• See us for a no-obligation consultation to see if it is the right choice for you, as there are numerous options for toenail fungus treatment.
• See a toenail specialist like a podiatrist to see if this is the best option for you!

Signs & Symptoms Of Toenail Fungus

Because there are varying types and levels of severity for toenail fungus, its important to have your condition diagnosed by a podiatric physician. If you are worried that you might be suffering from a fungal infection in your nails, perform a self-evaluation to look for the following common symptoms:

• Scaling under the nail
• White or yellow streaks on the nail
• Foul odor from the infected nail
• Crumbling corner or tip of nail
• Flaking white areas on the toenails surface
• Loss of the nail

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When To See A Doctor For An Ingrown Toenail

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Ingrown toenails are common and painful, but they dont exactly sound like a life-threatening emergency. Most of the time, they are a passing warning issued during a pedicure and therefore, most people think that a sturdy file is all that will ever be needed to correct it.

And yet, every once in a while, ingrown toenails require analgesics and surgery. So what are the signs that you may need a more aggressive ingrown toenail treatment?

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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Changes In Nail Structure

Nail damage may also lead to changes in the nails structure. These changes may occur after an injury from a heavy object, chronic rubbing against the shoe, or in response to irritation from infections.

Some of the most common changes in nail structure are:

• Nail thickening: This is caused by damage to the nails growth center. It responds by producing a thicker nail.
• Nail loosens or falls off: Sometimes the entire nail or a portion of it will loosen or fall off. This is called nail avulsion. Its often a temporary condition, and the nail will regrow over the course of a couple of months.
• Permanent nail changes: You may see permanent splitting or a decrease in size. If there is severe damage to the area where the nail starts to grow, it may not regrow.

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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Signs And Symptoms Of Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus starts as a white or yellow spot at the tip of the nail, which then spreads backwards into the nail. The more the infection spreads, the more discolored the nail can become.

The nail will get thicker, and begin to flake and crumble at the edges, becoming ragged and distorting in shape. It will also become darker as debris builds up under the nail, and will start emanating a slightly foul smell. The greater these symptoms, the worse your case.

These infections can range from simple discoloration to mild irritation, to severe and painful. They can be contained in a single nail, or they can spread to the surrounding ones as well.

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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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How Is Nail Fungus Diagnosed And Treated

First, your podiatrist carefully examines your nails and reviews your symptoms and medical history. They may also take some nail clippings for lab testing.

Tell your doctor if youve already tried self-care methods or over-the-counter treatments for nail fungus. The treatment they recommend depends on the severity of your condition and specific type of fungus causing the infection.

Depending on your needs, nail fungus treatment may include:

• Prescription oral medications
• Prescription topical liquids or creams

Nail fungus can be hard to get rid of and may return even after treatment. Early intervention at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey is the best way to successfully treat nail fungus. Call or book an appointment online today.

Podiatrist & Foot And Ankle Surgeon Located In San Jose Ca

People rarely think about their toenails, but maintaining toenail health is as important as keeping any other part of your body well. And just like other body parts, your toenails can become injured or damaged. Experienced podiatrist Leonard Greenwald, DPM, treats nail problems in patients of all ages at his practice in San Jose, California. If a nail issue causes you pain, dont hold off seeking treatment. Call the office or book an appointment online today.

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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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How Can I Find A Top

You can use Zocdoc to find Toenail Fungus doctors who are highly rated by other patients. These ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on Zocdoc, theyre invited to review their experience. Each review must comply with Zocdocs guidelines.

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