Treatments for toenail fungus in Glendale, AZ, can be limited. Treatment options include topical solutions, oral medications, and laser treatment. Other not-so-common options are some home remedies. People infected with a toenail fungus are embarrassed to show their toes. If you ignore it, it can make it worse.

Common Symptoms

A common symptom of toenail fungus is the thickening of the toenail. When toenails get thick, they are very hard to maintain. This is because it is difficult to cut and trim them with nail clippers. As a result, when you don’t maintain your nails, this can lead to the infection spreading. Some people soak their feet in warm water to soften their toenails and cut them as much as possible.

Another common symptom is the discoloration of the toenail. It is easy to notice. The most common discoloration is yellow. Your nail becomes a sickly yellow color. This clearly shows an issue with your nail. When you see this symptom, you likely have a toenail fungus infection. 

Toenail Fungus Specialist

Avoiding a Toenail Fungus Infection

Here are a few things you can do to avoid a toenail fungus.

  • Always wear slippers or any shoes in public places
    • Swimming pool
    • Gyms
    • Locker rooms
  • Never share the same nail clippers with someone else
  • Always clean and sanitize your nail clippers and other nail tools
  • Avoid wearing the same shoes every day, especially if your feet sweat consistently

Nail salons are another place where people get infected. Make sure the nail salon is clean and sanitized.

Public Pools and Nail Fungus

Frequently Asked Questions about Toenail Fungus

  • Do you have to get your toenail removed?
    • No, most people can still be infected even if they remove their toenails. The infection can be on the nail bed, and removing the toenail does not cure you.
  • Does a toenail fungus infection make your toes stinky?
    • In some cases, yes, it can cause a stinky odor on your toenails.
  • Can you get nail fungus on your fingernails?
    • Yes, the infection can travel up to your fingernails if left untreated.
  • How do you get a toenail fungus infection?
    • People get infected by walking barefoot in public areas, where sweaty shoes are worn for an extended period of time, trauma to the toenail, or getting infected by a family member/friend by sharing nail clippers

Treatment Options in Glendale, AZ

Treatments for toenail fungus in Glendale, AZ, can be limited. A less aggressive treatment options are topical solutions. These only have a cure rate of about five to ten percent. This is because the solution does not penetrate all the way to the nail bed. As a result, these topical medications are unreliable and inconsistent with results.

Oral medication is another option. They have a cure rate of about sixty percent. This is much higher than topical medication. Although it is higher, it can be more dangerous. Our nail doctors do not recommend this because it can lead to liver toxicity. You would need constant blood tests. This is to ensure your liver isn’t damaged while taking the medication. It can also lead to other health complications.

Choose Laser Treatment for Toenail fungus

After-Treatment Care

It is important to take care of your nails after treatment. Once you get infected with toenail fungus, it is very easy to become infected again. You must be very careful with your toes. Always wear shoes in public spaces. This includes public swimming pools, locker rooms, and gyms.

Do not share any nail clippers with anyone. And, make sure to always clean and disinfect after each use. Try to avoid unsanitary nail salons. And lastly, let your feet breathe. Try not to wear closed-toed shoes for an extended period of time. Especially if your feet get hot.

The heat from inside your shoes creates the perfect environment for fungus. It thrives in warm, moist areas. This is why you want to avoid wearing shoes for a long time.

Laser Treatment for a Toenail Fungus

If you have caught nail fungus, it can be easily treated using the FDA-approved PinPointe laser, which typically only takes one 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 Glendale, AZ, 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 800-672-0625 at our Glendale, AZ location, or visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.