Fungal Toenails

Toenail Fungus Treatment in North Miami Beach, Miami & Tamarac, FL

Toenail fungus treatment and restorations in the Broward County, FL: Tamarac (Margate, Palm Aire, Coral Springs, Parkland, Coconut Creek, Sunrise, Lauderdale Lakes, Plantation, Lauderhill, Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, Pompano Beach, Hollywood, West Park, Miramar, Hallandale Beach) and Miami-Dade County, FL: North Miami Beach (Opa-locka, Westview, Palm Springs North, Miami Lakes, Miami Gardens, Aventura) and Miami (Fisher Island, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Westchester, Hialeah, Key Biscayne, Fontainebleau) areas class=The area of the toes is generally warm and damp, unfortunately making it a great area for fungus to grow. If left untreated, the fungal infection can spread, which is why it’s so important to get professional help early on and look into your treatment options.

Fungal infections occur due to fungus getting through the cracks of the toes or cuts in your skin. Common signs that you may have a fungal infection include thicker than normal toenails, oddly shaped toenails, discoloration, a yellowish hue to the nail, and separation of the nail and nail bed. Fungal infections can affect anyone but are most common among men, those with diabetes or athlete’s foot, and smokers. The risk of having toenail fungus also increases as you age, if another family member has it, and if you have a weaker immune system.

Fungal Toenails Prevention Tips

To avoid getting a fungal infection, it’s important that you wash your feet daily with soap and water, making sure to get in between your toes, and dry the feet well. When cutting your toenails, make sure the clippers you’re using are clean and that you’re cutting straight across. It’s also important that you wear shoes in areas where fungus can thrive, such as wet public places like swimming pools or locker rooms.

Toenail fungus can also be treated with certain over-the-counter antifungal creams and ointments. To remove pressure from the nails, keep them cut at a short length. Oral antifungal drugs, medicated nail cream, or medicated nail polish may also be prescribed by your podiatrist if simpler treatments do not prove successful. In some cases, your podiatrist may also recommend laser treatment to eradicate toenail fungus.

Patients should visit their local podiatrist if they suspect they have toenail fungus. In its more severe stages, toenail fungus can become very painful. Other infections can develop from toenail fungus that can spread to other parts of the body. Upon examination for fungus, your podiatrist may scrape your nails if he or she finds debris. This sample will be sent to a lab to determine what fungus is causing the condition.

Laser Treatment for Fungal Toenails

Toenail fungus is notoriously difficult to cure with over-the-counter medicines. From foot soaks to ointments the efficacy of these is extremely varied, at best. 2010 the FDA approved the first laser treatment for toenail fungus. This was the first of the “cold laser” treatments to gain federal approval. The laser kills the fungus in and under the nail, ridding it of the infection.

The treatment itself is non-invasive and very straightforward. The podiatrist will move the laser in a grid-like pattern over the infected toenail. This is a virtually pain-free procedure that generally takes less than 30 minutes, though it could take longer depending on how many nails are infected. After the procedure, the appearance of the nail will not have changed. While the fungus has been killed, the nail will have to grow out in order to see the effect of the treatment.

Laser toenail fungus treatments are now used all over the world and can be performed by a podiatrist in-office. The number of treatments it will take to cure the fungal infection varies by patient and type of laser. Speak with your podiatrist to learn more about getting rid of your toenail fungus.

If you believe you’re experiencing a fungal toenail infection, we recommend that you speak with a podiatrist as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis and suggested plan for treatment.

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Fungal Toenails (FAQs)

What are the symptoms of toenail fungus? 
Fungal toenail infections can often be seen with the naked eye because they change the appearance of the toenail. If you have toenail fungus, the affected toenails may change in texture, becoming thickened, brittle, or crumbly. They can also become discolored, usually turning yellow, white, or brown. In more severe cases, the nail can become deformed, separate from the nail bed, and even emit a foul odor. In addition to being unsightly, toenail fungus can also cause pain, especially if infected nails rub against your shoes and socks. 
Is toenail fungus contagious?
Toenail fungus is highly contagious. It can spread from one nail to the next, especially if left untreated. It can spread from an infected surface, like the floor of a public pool, to the nails. It can also spread from person to person through direct contact or sharing personal items like shoes, socks, or pedicure tools. 
What are the treatments for toenail fungus?
Toenail fungus can be treated with topical or oral antifungal medications. Topical medications are applied directly to the nail. They usually come in the form of a cream or nail polish. Oral antifungal medications are taken by mouth. Laser treatments for fungal nail infections are becoming an increasingly common treatment option. Laser treatments use a concentrated beam of light to kill the fungus beneath the nail. Your podiatrist may recommend doing multiple forms of treatment simultaneously to get better or faster results. 
How long does it take for toenail fungus to go away? 
Unfortunately, curing toenail fungus is a lengthy process. Not only will you have to wait for the treatment to kill the fungal infection - you will also have to wait for new, healthy toenails to grow out. This can take several months. 

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Advanced Podiatric Procedures & Services in the Miami-Dade County, FL: North Miami Beach (Opa-locka, Westview, Palm Springs North, Miami Lakes, Miami Gardens, Aventura) and Miami (Fisher Island, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Westchester, Hialeah, Key Biscayne, Fontainebleau), and Broward County, FL: Tamarac (Margate, Palm Aire, Coral Springs, Parkland, Coconut Creek, Sunrise, Lauderdale Lakes, Plantation, Lauderhill, Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, Pompano Beach, Hollywood, West Park, Miramar, Hallandale Beach) areas