Causes of toenail fungus are important to know. Toenail fungus is one of the most common foot or nail problems. It commonly affects older adults, but it can happen to anyone. If you are noticing changes in your nails such as thickening, discoloration, or brittleness, there is a high chance that you are dealing with toenail fungus. It starts unnoticeable, but it can progress and become difficult to get rid of.

Most common causes

Cases are common in older adults because they are more prone to infection. As people get older, the nails become dry which leads to cracks in the nail. This makes it easier for fungal spores to infect the nail and set camp on the nail bed.

Fungal spores are present around us. They thrive especially in warm, dark, and damp areas like gym locker rooms, communal showers, and public swimming pools. Make sure to wear protective footwear when going to such places. It is also possible to get fungal infections from nail salons. To avoid this, be aware of the nail salon’s sterilization and hygiene practices.

Other causes of fungus

People with weak immune systems, diabetes, or circulation problems are more susceptible to toenail fungus. Those with such conditions are at risk of other serious complications when the infection is not addressed immediately.

Treatments for toenail fungus available are over-the-counter topicals, medicated nail polish, oral antifungal drugs, and laser treatment. Topical treatments are usually ineffective because they cannot penetrate through the nail to get rid of all the fungal spores.

Oral medication is usually prescribed to be taken in a course of about 6 weeks. They may be more effective than topical treatments, but they come with serious side effects.

Laser treatment using the PinPointe Laser is the most efficient way to get rid of the fungus. It uses a concentrated heat source to get rid of the fungus. It typically requires only one treatment.

Laser Treatment for Nail Fungus

If you have caught nail fungus, it can be easily treated using the FDA-approved PinPointe laser, which typically only takes on treatment. Other treatments like topical solutions and oral medication are not as effective. Topical solutions have a very low cure rate. This is because the solution does not penetrate all the way through the nail bed.  This is because it can lead to liver toxicity. You would need to have consistent blood tests throughout the course of taking the medication. 

Our nail doctor in Mesa, AZ recommends this treatment for Toenail Fungus. The PinPointe Laser treatment has the highest cure rate in the market. It has no side effects and no recovery period. As a result, you can go about your daily activities right after the treatment. Also, there’s no pain.

If you have any signs of nail fungus, call us at (480) 992-4282 our Mesa, AZ location, or visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.