Toenail Fungus Laser Treatment in St. Louis, MO

If you’re dealing with discolored, thickened, or brittle toenails, choosing the best laser toenail fungus treatment in St. Louis, MO—like Laser Nail Therapy—can be a game changer for restoring clear, healthy nails. Toenail fungus is a common but persistent condition that often worsens without proper treatment, especially in warm and humid environments.  That’s why more people in St. Louis are seeking advanced, effective solutions that target the infection at its source. 

An Introduction to Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a common infection that affects the nails, most often the toenails. It occurs when fungi enter the nail through small cracks in the nail or surrounding skin and begin to grow. The infection can cause the nail to become thick, brittle, discolored, yellow, white, or brown, and sometimes crumbly at the edges. In some cases, toenail fungus may lead to an unpleasant odor or mild discomfort, especially as the nail thickens. It tends to develop more easily in warm, moist environments such as sweaty shoes, locker rooms, and public pools. People with weakened immune systems, poor circulation, diabetes, or a history of nail injuries are at higher risk. While toenail fungus is usually not dangerous, it can worsen over time if left untreated and may spread to other nails or the surrounding skin.

Recognizing Various Toenail Fungus Infections

There are several types of toenail fungus, each caused by different organisms and showing distinct signs. Identifying the type of fungal infection can help determine the most effective treatment and prevent further nail damage. Symptoms may range from mild discoloration to thick, brittle, or distorted nails. Below are the common types of toenail fungus and how they differ:

• Distal Subungual Onychomycosis (DSO): The most common type; starts under the nail at the tip and spreads inward, often causing yellow or white discoloration and nail thickening.

• White Superficial Onychomycosis (WSO): Appears as white, chalky patches on the surface of the nail and may cause the nail to become soft and crumbly.

• Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis (PSO): Begins near the cuticle and spreads toward the tip; more common in people with weakened immune systems.

• Candida Onychomycosis: Caused by yeast rather than dermatophyte fungi; often affects nails that are frequently exposed to moisture and may cause swelling, discoloration, and nail separation.

With the different forms of toenail fungus in mind, the next question is why these infections occur so frequently in St. Louis, MO.

What Makes Toenail Fungus So Common in St. Louis?

In St. Louis, MO, people may contract toenail fungus for many of the same reasons it occurs anywhere, but local environmental and lifestyle factors can influence how often it’s seen there. Toenail fungus (onychomycosis) is caused by fungi that thrive in warm, moist conditions, and St. Louis’s hot, humid summers create an environment where these fungi can live longer on skin and surfaces, increasing exposure risk.

Fungi that cause nail infections also spread easily in shared spaces like gyms, public pools, and locker rooms—places common in urban communities—and can enter through small cracks in the nail or surrounding skin. Activities that trap moisture around the feet, such as wearing tight, non-breathable shoes or sweaty socks, provide an ideal breeding ground for the fungi. Walking barefoot in damp areas, poor foot hygiene, nail injuries, and underlying health conditions like diabetes or weakened immune systems further raise the chance of infection. Because these fungi are contagious, contact with contaminated surfaces or personal items like unclean nail clippers can also lead to an infection.

Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment in St. Louis

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. Oral medication has a higher cure rate than topicals, but our nail doctors do not recommend it. 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 St. Louis, MO, 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 St. Louis, MO location, or visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.