Nail fungus infection in diabetics is very common. One-third of diabetics in the nation suffer from nail fungus. Diabetics have an increased risk of getting nail fungus – 22% higher than those who don’t have diabetes. In addition, diabetes is associated with high blood sugar levels which affect the immune system. People with diabetes can be immunocompromised, which can then lead to being more susceptible to a fungal infection. The lack of defense against such infections in the person’s immune system.
Nail Fungus Infection in Diabetics
Diabetes can also inadvertently turn your nails yellow which is also a symptom of nail fungus. This discoloration occurs due to the nails’ collagen after the breakdown of sugar. Click here to learn more about yellow nails in our recent blog post. Diabetics do tend to get nail fungus. Laser treatment is one viable and safe option to eradicate the fungus from your nails in under thirty minutes. You can learn more about this treatment here.
Diabetics must pay close attention to the health of their feet. Diabetes is notorious for nerve damage which can lead to the advancement of feet and toe problems. They tend to go unnoticed since the patient is not able to feel many of the symptoms. Nail fungus symptoms, however, affect appearance the most. In order to care for your feet and keep healthy, it is important to practice good hygienic habits. Such as wearing shower shoes in public showers and washing your feet daily.
Common Symptoms for Nail Fungus Infection
Nail fungus can present itself in many different ways. The most common symptom of nail fungus is discoloration of the nail. The yellowing of nails is the most common discoloration. Other people may experience some cloudiness on the nail or white streaks across the nail. In severe cases, some people’s nails can become black. Diabetics are more at risk of getting nail fungus infections as they can be immunocompromised and do not fight off the infection as well as others.
Another common symptom is the thickening of toenails. This can become uncomfortable when the nail becomes too thick and can not trim down the nails. This can also lead to possible ingrown infections because the nails are not maintained. When trimming down thickened toenails, we recommend soaking your toenails in warm water for about ten to fifteen minutes. This allows the nail to soften and makes it a bit easier to trim down the nail It is important to maintain your nails as the infection can spread to other nails when left untreated.
Another symptom is having brittle nails. In some cases, the nail becomes detached from the nail bed and can lead to other infections. Also, the nail might just break off and not grow in. Some people might experience nails that do not grow into their normal shape and cause great discomfort when wearing closed-toed shoes.
Nai Fungus Treatment Options for Diabetics
The most common treatment option would be to use topical solutions. This is the easiest treatment option for diabetics as topical solutions can be purchased over the counter. Although, topical solutions have a very low cure rate. It typically has a cure rate of five to ten percent. Some patients can go up to a year without seeing any results. It can be very stressful for patients to not see any results while using the topical medication.
Oral medication is another treatment option. It has a cure rate of about sixty percent. Although it has a higher cure rate than topical solutions, it is a more risky treatment option. It is not recommended by our doctors because it can lead to liver toxicity. Also, while on the medication, you would need to have constant blood tests to monitor your liver to ensure it is not being damaged. Additionally, people with underlying health conditions could put themselves more at risk by taking oral medication for toenail fungus treatment.
Lastly, laser treatment is the newest treatment option for toenail fungus. It uses state-of-the-art technology to kill all the fungus that is present on your nails and on your nail bed. Almost, anyone can get laser treatment. The only people who might not be able to receive laser treatment are people with neuropathy. If you have neuropathy, you should consult with a foot specialist to see if laser treatment is a treatment option for you. Diabetics should definitely consult with a foot specialist before considering laser treatment as diabetics can suffer from neuropathy.
Laser Treatment for Nail Fungus
As you can see, tips for healthy feet without nail fungus can be easy to find. 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 Valencia, CA 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 our Valencia, CA location. Visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.