Toenail fungus in athletes is common. Fungal toenails are one of the most common issues why people visit a podiatrist. Fungi can infect the nail after an injury or trauma. The trauma can be a result of someone stepping on your foot after playing sports such as football or basketball. You can also cause trauma on your toenails when you kick the ball when you play soccer. As an athlete, you can be highly susceptible to a fungal infection.

Why is it common?

Another reason to get a fungal infection is the environment your toenails are in. The shoes you wear are the perfect environment for fungus to thrive. It is usually moist and warm due to sweat. It is easy for you to get fungus on your feet, hence the athlete’s foot. If an athlete’s foot is not treated properly, the fungus can spread and infect the nails. 

The problem is, if you get fungus in your toenails, it can be very difficult to get rid of. It is almost impossible to treat it without professional help. If you ignore the problem, it will just get worse and more difficult to treat. And because the infection starts small, you might not notice it right away until it is too late. 

Nail Fungus treatment options

Common treatment options that are readily available are topical treatments such as antifungal creams or solutions. These topical treatments may seem easy but it is not very effective. The fungus burrows into the nail bed through the cracks of the nails, caused by trauma from playing sports. Topical treatments will not be able to reach the fungus deep into the nail, rendering it ineffective. Another option is oral medication. This type of treatment is more effective than topicals, but it has harmful side effects. Antifungal pills can cause liver damage, stomach issues, and skin rashes.

The most effective way to eradicate a fungal infection of the toenails is with laser treatment. In our clinics, we use the FDA approve PinPointe Laser. This is the most effective laser in the market and does not harm the nail or the surrounding skin nor cause any 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 Austin, TX 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 (737) 255-7190 our Austin, TX location, or visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.