Healing Fungal Toenails

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Brittle, thick, and yellowing toenails that often emit a horrible odor are some of the hallmarks of a fungal toenail infection. Fungal nail infections are caused by a microscopic organism that is the same as the one that causes athlete’s foot.  When out in public areas such as swimming pools, locker rooms and showers, always protect your feet by wearing shower shoes or sandals to avoid direct contact with infected surfaces.

Treating a nail fungus infection can be very difficult to do successfully on your own. While over the counter medications may have some success, the infection often returns since it’s very hard to completely eliminate, which is why going to your foot doctor is essential to getting the treatment you need completely remove the fungi. 

The Treatments for Fungal Nails

  • Antifungal medications—An oral antifungal medicine combined with a topical lotion is a two-pronged approach that often works well at eradicating the fungi.
  • Laser nail treatment—Fungal spores are evaporated with the heat of the laser with no pain and it will not damage healthy skin and nails.
  • Complete nail removal—For entrenched infections it may be necessary to remove the entire nail to get at the infection and eliminate it so a new healthy nail can grow. 

Avoiding Fungal Toenail Infections

These simple tips can help you to avoid getting nail fungus:

  • Clean and dry your feet daily—Always dry your feet after bathing, being extra careful to dry between your toes. Wear shoes and socks that are made with breathable materials, and be certain to change them every day to allow them to air out.
  • Cover your feet—Wear shower shoes or sandals in public pools, showers, and locker room areas.
  • Disinfect—Clean your nail files, clippers and other tools regularly. Don’t share them with others to avoid cross contamination.

If you are experiencing a fungal toenail infection, see your foot doctor for the most complete care. At E.J. Nemet Podiatryin Twinsburg,  E.J. Nemet, DPM,treats a variety of foot and ankle conditions including sports injuries, pediatric foot problems,diabetic foot complications,nerve disorders,and toenail and skin conditions.With advanced technologies and a dedicated staff, Dr. Nemet provides expert and compassionate care to patients in the Twinsburg and Beachwood areas. To contact usor to schedule an appointment, please call (234) 212-9940.

Common Foot ConditionsE.J. NEMET DPM, LLC