Nail fungal infection makes your nail have an abnormal look. Common abnormalities are a yellow color and thickened shape. However, in reality, there are many other reasons why your nail looks different. This blog will let you determine if you are experiencing common nail abnormalities or nail fungus. Let’s look at some examples.

Ridged/lined nails

They are common and can be considered normal. It can be caused by skin dryness and low in protein, calcium, iron, or vitamin. It may also be caused by other health conditions such as thyroid disease or diabetes, or developed after chemotherapy. The condition could get worse during pregnancy. A large groove at the center of the nail could be due to nail-biting.

Brittle nails

As you get old, the nail can also develop ridges and gaps between nail layers. To prevent this, try not to soak the nails in water.

Inflammation surrounding the nails

Inflation around the nails is typically caused by infection at the cuticles of nails. If the infection has a rapid onset, it may be due to bacteria. When cuticles are inflamed or irritated repeatedly, they will become chronic paronychia. You can try to keep the skin dry and avoid water soaking when you have the condition. If the problem continues, you should contact your doctor since it can lead to a more severe infection.

Nail trauma

Chronic nail trauma such as repeated athletic movement (sudden stop and start and kicking) or smashing your nail in the door can cause damage to nails that looks almost like nail fungus. Some traumas could cause permanent changes in your nails.

Once you know if you have just Abnormalities or Nail Fungus you can seek treatment.

Laser Treatment for Nail Fungus

As you can see, tips for healthy feet without nail fungus can be easy to find. Furthermore, if you have caught nail fungus, it can be easily treated using the FDA-approved PinPointe laser. It 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 Jacksonville, FL 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 (800) 672-0625 at our Warminster, PA location. Visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.