Toenail fungus in athletes is common. Fungal toenails are one of the most common issues that people visit a podiatrist for. 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 to your toenails when you kick the ball when you play soccer. As an athlete, you can be highly susceptible to a fungal infection.
Origin of the infection
Why nail fungus in athletes is so common? To answer, you should first understand how toenail fungus occurs. Nail fungus occurs when fungal spores infect the nail bed under the nail. The fungus begins to grow there and gradually infects the nail so that it becomes yellow, thickened, and possibly painful. It may even detach from the nail bed. But this means that the fungus would need to be able to reach the nail bed in the first place. Since the nail acts as a barrier, most people do not experience this.
Why is it common?
The main reason that toenail fungus in athletes is so common is that athletes, and especially those who are kicking a ball like soccer players, constantly experience trauma to their nails that results in them becoming cracked. The fungal spores penetrate through these cracks to reach the nail bed, thereby causing toenail fungus in athletes. If someone is playing a hand-based sport like volleyball or baseball, they may get nail fungus on their fingernails as opposed to toenail fungus.
Another reason that nail fungus in athletes occurs so frequently is that athletes are required to wear snug shoes for hours on end, and inevitably end up sweating profusely in their shoes. Since fungus thrives in dark and moist environments, this ends up promoting toenail fungus in athletes even further.
Frequently walk in public places barefoot.
Nail fungus is very contagious and can spread quickly. Because athletes use places where other people walk around barefoot, they have a much higher chance of getting other people’s fungus. When the place is warm and humid, such as a public pool or shower room, the fungus can grow and spread even quickly.
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 them 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-approved 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 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 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 at our Austin, TX location, or visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.
