Does toenail fungus come back? Toenail fungus is a common condition that affects 14% of North America according to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. It is responsible for 50% of nail diseases.
Toenail Fungus
There are multiple choices to cure this condition including home remedies, over-the-counter products, topical prescription, oral medication, and laser treatment.
The recurrence of toenail fungus is common with multiple factors contributing to it. People at risk are those with a genetic predisposition, compromised immune system, or diabetes. Most cases of toenail fungus relapse are due to not completely eradicating the fungus. Also, reinfection after the treatment due to new exposure to the fungus.
Treatment Options
Using topical treatments, including home remedies, is ineffective because it does not completely eradicate the fungal infection.
Oral medications, on the other hand, are more effective than topical medications. Although, you have to take blood tests for liver toxicity.
Reinfection
Even when toenail fungus is completely cured after treatment, patients remain at risk for reinfection. This is because people are exposed to fungi in their normal day-to-day activities. This includes going to the gym or public pools and traveling.
Once treated, it would be best to avoid walking barefoot in gym showers, public pools, and hotel rooms. Fungal nail infections can also spread in the household through family contact. Preventing unnecessary exposure to fungus helps prevent re-infection.
Patients want to avoid reinfection. Some extra measures to take are spraying shoes with antifungal shoe spray after each use would be helpful. Read more about aftercare and prevention here.
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 Miami, FL 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 (786) 422-1533 our Miami, FL location, or visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.
