There are many toenail fungus FAQs you need to know. Toenail fungus is very common. You may have many questions about it. What is it? Do I have toenail fungus? What are the causes? How will it affect my life? Do you treat toenail fungus? Here, we will answer all the questions you might have, as briefly as possible.
Toenail Fungus
So what is toenail fungus? An infection on the toenail is caused by fungus. The fungal infection is progressive and does not go away on its own. Although it can start small and get worse, becoming a significant problem in your life. If it is detected early, you can prevent long-term damage to your toenails.
You will know if you have toenail fungus with changes in your toenail’s appearance. Your toenail may change in color to yellow or brown. It may also change its shape, lift or crumble.
How does someone get toenail fungus?
What causes toenail fungus are microorganisms called dermatophytes. Once a person is infected, it can spread to another person. Other causes are nail injury or underlying diseases that weaken the immune system.
Additionally, fungal infections are more common in toenails than fingernails. This is because fungi grow in warm and moist environments like sweaty socks and shoes.
Toenail Fungus Prevention
This can be done by maintaining proper foot hygiene. Wash and dry your feet regularly and trim your toenails properly. Also, avoid walking barefoot around public pools and gym showers.
The infection can spread from person to person, do not share personal care items like socks, towels, nail clippers, or nail files. Although, you can use antifungal shoe sprays and powder on your shoes and socks.
When you visit a podiatrist, they can recommend possible treatment options. There are a topical treatment, oral m education, as well as laser treatment. Traditional treatments (topical and oral) are usually ineffective. Oral medication may be recommended but it can cause dangerous side effects.
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 Irvine, 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 (949) 861-7006 our Irvine, CA location, or visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.
