Toenail fungus is a stubborn condition that can cause embarrassing and sometimes painful changes in your nails. In Broomfield, CO, residents enjoy an active lifestyle with access to trails, gyms, and community recreation centers. While this promotes health, it also increases exposure to public areas where fungus thrives — like locker rooms, swimming pools, and shared showers. Because Broomfield experiences both dry winters and warm summers, the combination of footwear and seasonal changes can also create conditions where fungal infections develop more easily.
When Toenails Start to Disintegrate
Healthy toenails are normally clear, smooth, and intact. But when infected with fungus, nails may become discolored — turning yellow, white, brown, or even black. If left untreated for a long time, toenails can begin to look like they’re “disintegrating.” This happens because the fungus feeds on the structures that give the nail its form, making it brittle, cracked, and crumbly.
While alarming, this stage is reversible. Once the fungal infection is properly treated, a new, healthy nail can grow in. If your nails look like they’re breaking down, it’s important to seek treatment quickly before the infection spreads.
Do All Toenail Fungus Treatments Take Forever?
A common frustration is how long toenail fungus treatments can take. Over-the-counter topical medications often have cure rates under 1% even after a year of use. Prescription oral medications can take months and carry risks like liver toxicity, requiring frequent blood tests.
For patients in Broomfield looking for faster, more effective results, laser treatment is the best option. The FDA-approved PinPointe laser directly targets the fungus under the nail in just one session. After treatment, a clear, healthy nail begins to grow back, without the long delays or side effects of traditional treatments.
Scaly and Thickened Toenails as a Symptom
Toenail fungus doesn’t always present the same way. For some, nails become thick and scaly, appearing layered or rough. This happens when the fungus grows beneath the nail, altering its natural texture. In severe cases, toenails may look as though they have multiple layers stacked on top of one another.
When nails become thickened, podiatrists may first debride (thin down) the nail before applying laser treatment. This ensures that the laser effectively reaches the fungus beneath the nail bed.
The Immune System and Toenail Fungus
It’s a common misconception that only people with weak immune systems get toenail fungus. In truth, anyone can develop it — even those in good health. However, people who are immunocompromised may experience faster or more aggressive fungal growth, so extra precautions are recommended.
Simple steps like wearing flip-flops in public showers, not sharing footwear, and sanitizing grooming tools can reduce your risk. Even if your immune system is strong, toenail fungus can spread quickly in the right environment — especially in community-oriented cities like Broomfield.
Fungus Thrives in Moist Environments
Toenail fungus loves dark, moist places — which is why it thrives inside shoes and socks. Activities common in Broomfield, like hiking, running, or working out, can make feet sweat and create an ideal breeding ground for fungus. That’s why it’s important to:
-
Change socks after exercise
-
Rotate shoes to let them dry out
-
Avoid going barefoot in public areas
-
Keep feet clean and dry throughout the day
Treating Toenail Fungus Without a Nail Present
In extreme cases, toenails may detach or deteriorate completely due to fungus. Fortunately, treatment is still possible — and sometimes even easier — without a nail in place. Without the nail acting as a barrier, treatments such as laser therapy can reach the infection more directly. Once the fungus is eliminated, healthy nail growth should gradually return.
Nail Growth
Your nails grow at a fixed rate of about a millimeter a month. But what you can do is prevent your nails from breaking, which will help them grow out healthy and long, which in turn, may make your nails seem like they are growing faster!
If you’re lazy and don’t feel like adding too much to your daily routine, then here’s some good news for you! It’s been proven by clinical studies that taking Biotin can help strengthen weak and brittle nails. They won’t necessarily make your nails grow faster, but they will improve their overall health, which will prevent them from breaking as much.
There hasn’t been a recorded limit to how much Biotin a person can take, but it’s doubtful someone can get too much biotin in their system. But if you’re ever unsure, seek out your closest dermatologist or doctor for a second opinion.
How to get nails to grow
Lots of people have been under the assumption that busy nails, or people who are constantly tapping and moving their nails, have a quicker growth rate. Although people with busier fingers indeed have extra blood flow to their fingertips, this does not mean they have quicker-growing nails. In fact, people who are constantly moving and grooving their fingernails have a much higher chance of breaking them, slowing down the growth rate process as a whole.
So even though keeping your fingers busy won’t increase their growth rate, moisture will help with their strength! Especially when fall and winter come around, our nails can get super brittle, dry, and cracked. Our nails need lubrication much like our hands and our skin, so be generous with your hand lotion, and your nails should thank you by growing out healthy and strong!
Why Laser Treatment is the Best Choice in Broomfield
Unlike topical and oral medications, laser treatment offers a safe, quick, and highly effective option for toenail fungus. The PinPointe laser is FDA-approved, requires no recovery time, and has no side effects. Many patients see noticeable improvement with just one treatment, making it the gold standard for care.
If you’re in Broomfield and experiencing symptoms of toenail fungus — from discoloration and thickening to nails that look like they’re disintegrating — it’s important to seek treatment before the infection spreads further.
Fun Things to Do in Broomfield, CO
If you are visiting Broomfield or you reside in this wonderful city, there is plenty to do while you are there. From aquatic parks to various museums, there is much to enjoy for you and your family.
The Broomfield Bay Aquatic Park is a great way to spend the day cooling off during the summertime. Your kids will especially enjoy their time there, as there are many attractions within. You can enjoy a relaxing day sunbathing while your kids splash around the various pools without worrying about them getting lost. It is a very fun family activity where everyone can have a great time. Even if you are a local to the Broomfield area, this aquatic park will be a fun and stress-free activity for everyone in your family.
If you love to learn about the history of our country, then Broomfield has a few areas that will spike your interest. There is the Broomfield Veterans Memorial Museum. Here you can admire all the brave men and women who have served and are remembered in this museum. There are also various devices used in various wars to give insight into the tools the brave soldiers had to use when at war. It is a wonderful experience in remembering those who fought for our country and learning more about the wars the country has fought in.
Another meaningful site is the Broomfield 9/11 Memorial. This thoughtfully designed memorial provides a peaceful space to honor and remember those whose lives were lost on 9/11. This was created by the city of Broomfield as a tribute of respect. It features plaques that guide you through many moments of reflection and remembrance. People who visit this memorial site describe the atmosphere as calm and comforting, making it a touching stop for anyone who wants to pause and reflect during their time in the city.
Another museum that you can visit is the Broomfield Depot Museum. This museum enlightens the history of what came to be the city of Broomfield. It is a historical site as it reflects the early development of the city. It was a train stop for travelers and also a live-in depot for railroad workers who were married. This museum shows the history of how people used to live in this city when the railroad system was being constructed.
There is much to enjoy in the city of Broomfield if you are visiting or if you are a resident. It is a relaxing city to enjoy with your family and has many historical sites to visit. From aquatic parks to their unique recreational parks, there is something for everyone in your family to enjoy. The best time to visit this city would be in the fall or spring, as you can enjoy various outdoor activities and fewer crowds. But, there is an upside to visiting in the winter, as you can enjoy all the winter sports like skiing and snowboarding through the surrounding areas of Broomfield. It is a wonderful must-visit city.
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 Broomfield, CO, office, or visit our website for more information about our treatment. Don’t wait- take the first step toward healthier, fungus-free nails today!
