Fungal nails (onychomycosis) are usually more resistant to treatment and more difficult to treat than Athlete’s foot, There are several treatments available for fungal nails.
1. Topical or oral fungal medications can be used. The topicals have a low rate of success and the oral medications can have serious side effects.
2. A more drastic treatment is permanent removal of the affected toenail(s).
3. Laser treatments are now available. We carry a 1320nm laser. It requires approximately 3 treatments (depending on severity of the fungus) and has a high success rate. Results are noticed as the nail grows out with a healthy-looking nail taking as long as it takes for the nail to completely grow out. The treatment is virtually pain-free and patients can resume their normal activity right away.
After a fungal nail infection has cleared up, you can take steps to prevent the infection from coming back.
View our Before & After photos
Keeping the fungus under control will help prevent a fungal infection of the skin from reinfecting the nail. Before bed, thoroughly wash and dry your feet, and apply a non-prescription anti-fungal cream to the entire foot from the ankle down. Use the cream every night, then gradually apply it less often. Keep your feet dry. Dry feet are less likely to become infected. Apply powder to your dry feet after you take a shower or bath.
Other tips:
- Don’t share nail clippers or nail files with others.
- Don’t share shoes or socks with others.
- Try not to injure your nail, such as by cutting it too short (trauma to the nail may lead to infections).
- Wear dry cotton socks, and change them two or three times a day if necessary.
- Wear dry shoes that allow air to circulate around your feet (tight, enclosed, moist shoes contribute to fungal toenail infections).
- Wear shower sandals or shower shoes when you are at a public pool or shower.
Prevention
Follow basic foot care guidelines and you more than likely can head off most common foot fungus problems.
