Toenail fungus is a common and persistent condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age, lifestyle, or location. The infection often begins with a minor change in the appearance of your nails, such as discoloration, brittleness, or thickening, but it can get worse over time if left untreated. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what toenail fungus is, how it spreads, why it’s so difficult to treat, and the most effective treatment options, which include laser therapy.
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What is Toenail Fungus?
Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is an infection that occurs when fungi invade the nail bed, typically through small cuts or tears in the nail or surrounding skin tissue. The infection can cause the nails to become discolored, thickened, and brittle. If left untreated, toenail fungus can spread to other nails and even infect fingernails.
Although anyone can develop nail fungus, certain risk factors increase the likelihood of infections, such as age, poor circulation, frequent exposure to warm and wet environments, and compromised immune systems.
How do you get infected with toenail fungus?
Those who have nail fungus believe that they must dispose of their shoes after treating their nails. They may be onto something, as it is important for you to be careful and prevent reinfection. However, there are solutions that allow you to still use the same shoes by simply sterilizing them. You may do this by purchasing a shoe sanitizing spray. Another option if you wear closed-toed shoes is to change your socks often to a clean pair of socks that have been freshly washed or even a brand new pair.
Also, make sure to keep your feet away from anyone you know who already has toenail fungus. Toenail fungus is highly contagious, so if one person has it, it is possible that it will spread to other people, especially those who live with the infected person. It is even more likely to spread if the other people aren’t careful. Unfortunately, people with toenail fungus often don’t want others to know about their infection, so they keep it a secret, or they may not even know that they are infected. So, the safest thing to do is to always remain safe and wary.
What causes Toenail Fungus?
Toenail fungus thrives in dark, moist environments such as locker rooms, public showers, and swimming pools, common areas where fungal infections spread. Simply walking barefoot in such places can lead to fungal exposure.
Additionally, wearing closed-toed shoes traps moisture and sweat inside and can create an ideal breeding ground for a fungal infection. This is why fungal infections are more common during warmer months, when people tend to wear closed-toed shoes for extended periods or go barefoot in public spaces.
Symptoms of Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is not always immediately noticeable, but there are several symptoms to watch out for, including the following:
- Thickened, brittle, or distorted nails
- Yellow or white discoloration of the nails
- Flaky and brittle toenails
- Separation of the nail from the nail bed
- A foul odor emanates from the affected nails
- Cracked or peeling nails
- Pain or discomfort, especially when walking or wearing shoes
If you notice these symptoms, it’s essential to schedule a consultation with a doctor, preferably a podiatrist. This way, you may receive a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Early detection and intervention can prevent the infection from spreading and becoming more difficult to treat.
Prevention Tips
While toenail fungus is difficult to prevent entirely, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk:
- Wear shoes in public places like gyms, locker rooms, and swimming pools.
- Keep your feet clean and dry, especially in between the toes.
- Keep nails trimmed and clean.
- Avoid sharing nail tools, socks, or shoes with other people.
- Change socks and shoes regularly.
- Choose shoes that fit properly and allow your feet to breathe.
- Use antifungal sprays or powders if prone to infections
Why Treatment Can Be Challenging
Toenail fungus can be extremely hard to treat, and many traditional treatments are not very effective. Over-the-counter medicines have a low cure rate because they can’t penetrate the nail bed, where the fungus lives. Oral medications, while sometimes effective, carry harmful side effects such as liver toxicity and require regular blood tests to monitor liver function.
Home remedies, on the other hand, such as vinegar soaks or tea tree oil, might slow the spread of the infection but rarely cure it. These options are also not scientifically proven and often do more harm than good by delaying proper medical care.
Natural Remedies for toenail fungus
Some of these natural remedies include tea tree oil, VapoRub, other essential oils, alcohol, saltwater, and many commonly known remedies to treat infections and bacteria. These products are fairly easy to find, but they are not as effective because they do not target toenail fungus. These remedies do not kill toenail fungus, and if they did, it would take a very long time to see any results. Additionally, it is difficult for them to penetrate through the nail into the nail bed where the fungus resides. Lastly, concentrated essential oils actually irritate or damage the skin. This is a bigger risk when essential oil use is prolonged, which is likely since they are ineffective at eliminating fungus.
Natural remedies are an easy and doable form of treatment. Many people might think that other options might cause other health problems, such as oral medication, which can cause liver toxicity. These natural remedies may help in mild cases, but they are not effective for most people with toenail fungus. As a result, natural remedies would not be the best treatment option as it is not effective. Although natural remedies only treat the surface of the nail, it does not cure the fungus as they do not penetrate all the way through. Other treatment options can cure your toenail fungus.
Treatment Options Available
- Topical treatments: Topical nail fungus treatments include over-the-counter creams such as tolnaftate and clotrimazole. These are very affordable and good at preventing fungal infections. Although they are not effective at treating an active infection, they are less than 10% effective.
- Oral pills: You might have heard of Lamisil (generic name terbinafine), amongst others, when it comes to nail fungus treatment. This is the most common option, even though it has extreme side effects, which include liver toxicity and even possibly liver damage, ultimately leading to death or the necessity of a liver transplant. It is so damaging. In fact, routine testing is required. It monitors the health of your liver for the entirety. While this may be the most common nail fungus treatment option, it is the one with the most drawbacks. And on top of this, the average cure rate for oral pills is only 60%!
- Laser: Laser is the most modern and technologically advanced nail fungus treatment option, with the greatest success rate. However, unfortunately, there are many different lasers on the market with various success rates, which may or may not be FDA-approved. To add on top of that, it only takes one treatment with no downtime afterward, while other lasers may require up to four sessions.
Effective Treatment for Toenail Fungus
The best treatment for toenail fungus is one that directly targets the fungus at its source, which is under the nail. One of the most effective options is laser therapy.
PinPointe Laser Treatment: The most effective and FDA-cleared toenail fungus treatment for toenail fungus. With an 85% success rate, the PinPointe laser eliminates fungus in a single session with no side effects, pain, or recovery time.
Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus
PinPointe Laser, an FDA-approved treatment, is the gold standard for toenail fungus. This treatment is non-invasive, free of pain, and uses targeted light energy to kill the fungus at its root, leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed. Unlike oral medications, there are no side effects or risks associated with the PinPointe Laser treatment. There is also no downtime or recovery; patients are able to resume regular activity once treatment has concluded.
The PinPointe Laser boasts the highest cure rate, and many patients see noticeable improvements after just one treatment. While the laser treatment is more costly than traditional options, its cure rate and quick results make it a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about eliminating toenail fungus.
The Role of Podiatrists in Toenail Fungus Treatment
Podiatrists are foot doctors who are experts in diagnosing and treating toenail fungus. They can help determine the best treatment option for your specific case and guide you through the process. If you suspect you have toenail fungus, seeing a podiatrist as soon as possible is crucial for an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment.
Our podiatrists in Orlando, FL, are well-trained and highly experienced in toenail fungus. They can provide the most effective treatments to help you regain your healthy nails.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Toenail Fungus
Leaving toenail fungus untreated can lead to serious complications. In some cases, the infection can spread to other nails, the skin, or even to other parts of your body. If the fungus causes the nails to crack, it may allow bacteria to enter the body, leading to further infections. In addition, untreated toenail fungus can cause permanent damage to the nails and nail bed, making it difficult for your nails to grow back properly.
Why Choose PinPointe Laser Treatment?
If you’re struggling with toenail fungus, the PinPointe Laser is the most effective treatment available. It is fast, non-invasive, and has the highest cure rate compared to all other treatment options. You’ll experience no pain, no side effects, and no downtime after the treatment. In addition, with the help of our podiatrists, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.
At our office in Orlando, FL, we offer comprehensive care for toenail fungus, including consultations and treatment with the PinPointe Laser. Our team of experts will evaluate your condition and recommend the best course of action to help you get rid of your toenail fungus once and for all.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
If you’re ready to take control of your toenail fungus and get your nails healthy again, give us a call at (800) 672-0625 to schedule a free consultation at our Orlando, FL, office, or visit our website for more information about our treatment. Don’t wait- take the first step toward healthier, fungus-free nails today!
