Your immune system could cause you to get toenail fungus. Realizing you have a toenail fungus infection can sometimes feel embarrassing. Toenail fungus is an infection and can cause some pretty visually alarming changes in the nail’s color and texture. With this knowledge, it can be easy to assume that toenail fungus is an indicator of poor health. Some patients, especially the elderly, maybe worried that it means their immune system is weakened.

Immune System

While toenail fungus is an infection, having it does not necessarily mean that your immune system isn’t functioning fully. Everyone is at a risk for toenail fungus infection, no matter how healthy you are. This is because toenail fungus attaches to any nail bed it comes into contact with. Then uses that surface to spread. Someone with the healthiest immune system could catch fungus. Just by being barefoot at the wrong place and the wrong time.

However, if you are aware that you have a compromised or weak immune system, avoiding toenail fungus infection is something you should be aware of. While being healthy won’t stop fungal growth, being immunocompromised can make the fungus spread faster. This means that if you are immunocompromised, take extra precautions to avoid nail fungus.

Places to Avoid

These include avoiding going barefoot in public areas or sharing shoes with other people. Sanitizing your nail grooming tools between uses. Even with a compromised immune system toenail fungus isn’t a big risk to your overall health. Generally, even when the fungus progresses and grows quickly or for a long time, the symptoms are cosmetic.

Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus

If you have noticed a toenail fungus infection you should see a podiatrist for an FDA-approved treatment. The best treatment available is the PinPointe laser, which typically requires only one session.

It also has no side effects, which is a huge benefit for everybody, especially immunocompromised people, when compared to the potential liver toxicity that comes with oral antifungal medications. To schedule a consultation with a licensed podiatrist for the PinPointe laser treatment, give us a call at 1-(800) 672-0625 or visit our website for more information.