There are many stages of nail fungus. Nail fungus is incredibly common. Especially in the older generations. Many people are walking around infected, unbeknownst to them, since they are unable to catch it at an early stage.
These stages are:
- Initially, the infection occurs when fungus somehow penetrates the nail – usually through a crack or cut resulting from injury – and reaches the nail bed. The fungus grows on the nail bed, and gradually infects the nail itself. At the earliest stage, the change is purely cosmetic and presents as white or yellow spots underneath the nail.
- The biggest mistake people make is to ignore the infection in this early stage because it will usually escalate after that. Since fungus is infectious, it can spread quickly from one spot to another, or to other nails, people, and even other parts of the body. Nail fungus infections often spread to the skin of the foot, causing athlete’s foot, and can even spread to the genitals to cause jock itch!
- The final stage of nail fungus is the most evident and the one that patients can simply no longer ignore. The fungus will cause the nail to become very thick and brittle, and the nail will turn yellow or even brown. Sometimes the nail may even begin to partially detach from the nail bed, and you may notice a foul odor as well. Patients also complain of pain in their nails.
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 Brooklyn, NY 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 or visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.
