Toenail fungus and athlete’s foot can go hand in hand. Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a type of fungal infection found on the feet. It is common in people who have sweaty feet. The condition is very common in athletes, thus the name.

Athlete’s Foot

It appears as a scaly rash that is usually itchy and has a stinging or burning sensation. Because it is very contagious, it can spread easily through towels or clothing. Athletes’ foot is caused by the same fungus that causes ringworm, jock itch, and toenail fungus.

Some types of athlete’s foot cause blisters or ulcers, and there are some varieties that cause dryness and scaling on the soles to the sides of the feet. Because the fungus spreads easily, it can spread to the toes and cause toenail fungus. Athletes’ foot gets worse without treatment. Then it spreads to the toenails. This would cause the toenails to be discolored and thickened. Once it reaches the toenails, it can be more difficult to treat than otc medications will not be able to fix.

Nail Fungus Prevention

In order to prevent these conditions, you should avoid their common causes. Fungus thrives in moist, dark environments. In order to avoid fungus thriving in your toes, change your socks regularly and wear proper fitting shoes that are not too tight. You should also protect your feet in public places where fungus is common, such as public pools and showers.

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 Philadelphia, PA 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 (267) 388-3798 our Philadelphia, PA location, or visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.