Toenail Fungus Treatment Information

Laser Nail Therapy specializes in Toenail Fungus Treatment in Houston, TX. Call us to see how we can help you get rid of toenail fungus. When left untreated, the toenail fungus infection will spread. This is why it’s so important to get professional medical help early on. Therefore, our doctors can explain the different treatment options and why toenail fungus laser treatment might be the best choice for you.

Fungal infections happen when the fungus penetrates through a small space in the toenail. Some common signs might include separation of the nail from the nail bed, thickened nails, or discolored toenails. Toenail fungus is common in people with athlete’s foot and diabetes, but it can also affect people without pre-existing medical conditions.

Identifying Toenail Fungus Infection

People can experience different symptoms of toenail fungus. One of the most common symptoms is discoloration of the toenail. Your toenail can become a yellowish color. It can, at times, start at a small spot and then proceed to infect your entire nail.

People can become embarrassed and ashamed of their toenails. They will avoid wearing open-toe shoes. They will not want to show their feet around their friends and loved ones for fear of being mocked. You should not live in fear of walking comfortably in your own home or when you are out. It is important to seek treatment if you believe you have a toenail fungus infection. At Laser Nail Therapy, we have various clinics in the Houston area to help you.

Discoloration of nail is one of the most common nail fungus symptoms

Laser Nail Therapy Offices in Houston, TX

If you are experiencing a toenail fungus infection and are in the Houston area, feel free to schedule a consultation at one of our Laser Nail Therapy clinics listed below.

The Bear Creek Pioneer Park is a 10-minute drive from this Houston clinic at 15003 Farm to Market 529 Road, Suite A, Houston, TX 77095.

The Historic 19th Street in the Heights is about a 10-minute walk from our clinic at 427 W 20th St #703, Houston, TX 77008.

This Houston clinic is located 15 minutes away from Buffalo Bayou Park at 675 Bering Dr #200, Houston, TX 77057.

The Great Wall Supermarket is a five-minute walk from this Houston clinic at 9889 Bellaire Blvd, Suite E219A, Building E, Houston, TX 77036.

Exploring Houston, TX

Houston is a large city with many great restaurants and entertainment. If you are visiting Houston, make sure to check out its various museums. One of them is the Houston Museum of Natural Science. They have a planetarium, observatory, and theater. You can make a day of fun for you and your kids.

Another great place to visit is the Houston Zoo. It has over 6,000 different animals and many programs throughout the day. There are even special events that you can attend or request. A great experience at a state-of-the-art park.

You can also visit the famous Houston Space Center. It is the official NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston. This center is where astronauts receive training and is home to Mission Control. They have the NASA Tram tour, where you can get a behind-the-scenes look at human space exploration. It goes through Missin Control, Rocket Park, and Space Vehicle Mockup Facility. You get to experience a look at where astronauts do part of their training. You can also visit the Starship Gallery, where there are many artifacts from past missions, and view the history behind each artifact.

There are plenty of places to visit if you are a history enthusiast! Also, while visiting these fun-filled sites, if you are experiencing a toenail fungus, visit one of our Laser Nail Therapy Houston offices to see a toenail fungus specialist.

Toenail Fungus Symptoms

Discoloration often signals the early stages of a toenail fungus infection, but it is not the only symptom. Thickening of the nail commonly develops as the infection progresses. Over time, the nail becomes denser and harder, making trimming and regular maintenance increasingly difficult. Proper nail care remains essential because neglected overgrowth can lead to discomfort and additional complications.

When nails grow excessively thick, they press against shoes and create pressure while walking or standing for long periods. This pressure may cause soreness or irritation. Soaking your feet in warm water before trimming can soften the nail plate and make grooming easier. Trimming immediately after soaking reduces resistance and lowers the risk of cracking or splitting.

Brittle or flaky nails also frequently occur with fungal infections. The nail may weaken, break easily, or grow unevenly. In more advanced cases, the nail can lift from the nail bed, a condition known as onycholysis. When lifting occurs, debris and moisture collect underneath the nail, increasing discomfort and sometimes producing an unpleasant odor.

Recognizing these changes early allows for quicker intervention and more effective treatment.

If you notice thickening, lifting, discoloration, or brittleness in your toenails, schedule an evaluation. Our Houston clinics provide professional assessments to determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment options. Call (800) 672-0625 to book a consultation.

Nail Discoloration

The discoloration of your nails is the most common and most noticeable toenail fungus symptom. Most times, people will see their nails yellowing. It is important to note that it won’t always appear on the entire nail. At times, it begins in a small spot and gradually spreads across the nail. It is important to pay attention and seek treatment as soon as possible.

People can also see a white or cloudy cast as discoloration. It may appear as white streaks over your nail. This is also a symptom of a toenail fungus infection. It sometimes will only affect a portion of your nail or, at times, half the nail. Regardless of how much of the nail is infected, you must receive treatment. The toenail fungus infection can spread to all your other nails in due time.

In severe cases, people’s nails can become brown or even black. You should contact one of our Houston doctors even if you start to see discoloration of your toenail. They can determine if what you have is a toenail fungus infection. They can also recommend the best treatment option for you.

Why is it Difficult to get rid of Toenail Fungus?

Getting rid of toenail fungus is hard due to the structure of nails. Nails are comprised of several layers of protein. This makes it so that fungus can not only live under the nails but also in the different layers of the nails.

Fungal spores may also spread into the nail matrix. Once the infection invades the matrix of the nails, it reaches a point where it’s the most difficult to treat. This is because now the cells producing your nail are infected.

At Laser Nail Therapy, our doctors use the PinPointe FootLaser, which safely and effectively is able to penetrates through all the layers of the nail to kill the fungus. This way, after the fungus is dead, once the new nail grows out, it will be clear, thin, and fungal-free.

Avoid toenail fungus by following these steps:

  • Keep your feet clean and dry.
  • Trim your toenails straight across using clean nail clippers.
  • Wear shoes in areas where fungus can grow. (For example, swimming pools, spas, or locker rooms.)
  • Do not wear tight-fitting shoes
  • Spray your shoes with antifungal spray

Sports in Houston, TX

The city of Houston is home to many sports teams. One of those teams is the Houston Rockets. They are a basketball team in the NBA. They play their home games in the Toyota Center in Downtown Houston. This team has won two NBA championships and four Western Conference titles. Although the Houston Rockets did not originate in Houston. They were originally from San Diego. After 4 years of playing there, they permanently moved to Houston.

Another popular team home is the Houston Astros. They are a professional baseball team in the MLB. The Houston Astros were originally known as the Houston Colts before changing their name to the Houston Astros. They have won two World Series titles. They recently won their second World Series title in 2022. Make sure to attend one of their games when they are in season at Minute Maid Stadium.

The city of Houston is also home to the Houston Texans. They are a professional football team in the NFL. The Houston Texans are the newest franchise in the NFL. The team originated in 2002 after the Houston Oilers relocated to Nashville, Tennessee (now known as the Tennessee Titans). Although they have not won a Super Bowl Yet, they have won five division championships in the past 10 years. You should definitely go to a game if it is football season and see them play at the NRG Stadium.

If you are an athlete and struggle with toenail fungus, you should visit one of our nail doctors in Houston. At Laser Nail Therapy, some board-certified podiatrists consult and treat your toenail fungus infection.

Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus

People will sometimes choose to try out home remedies first before seeking professional treatment. Most home remedies are not very effective as they are not supported by scientific findings. One of the more common home remedies is using tea tree oil. It is applied directly to the nail, like topical solutions. Although the reason this might not be as effective is that it does not penetrate through the nail to the nail bed.

Another common home remedy is soaking your toes in hydrogen peroxide. It can kill some of the fungal microbes, but most of the time it does not fully cure you. This is a good remedy to try after you have received medical treatment and used a preventative measure to avoid reinfection. A reason this might not fully cure your toenail fungus infection is that the hydrogen peroxide does not fully penetrate your nail bed. Therefore, not all fungi die, and toenail fungus infection can continue to spread.

It is important to seek a professional diagnosis from a board-certified podiatrist. In our Houston clinics, our podiatrists are specialists in toenail fungus. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation at one of our Houston clinics at (800) 672-0625.

Topical Treatments for Toenail Fungus

A very common treatment for toenail fungus is a topical treatment. These are typically creams or solutions applied directly to the nail and surrounding skin. Although they are not very effective most of the time. They have a cure rate of about five to ten percent. This is because the topical treatment does not penetrate all the way through the nail. This means that not all the fungus has been eliminated and that it can still grow and spread to your other nails. Most people who use a topical treatment see little to no results when using it for an extended period of time.

Using topical ointment to try to eliminate toenail fungus

Oral Medication for Toenail Fungus

Another treatment option for toenail fungus is oral medication. This treatment is more effective than topical treatment. It has a cure rate of about sixty percent. Although there are a few risk factors when taking oral medication. While taking the medication, you could be at risk of liver toxicity. It can also cause other health issues if you have underlying health conditions. Also, while taking an oral medication, you would need constant blood tests to ensure your liver levels are not toxic. It can be tedious for many people.

Our nail doctors in our Houston clinics do not recommend oral medication because it can be more harmful than helpful to people. It is important to ensure you are not endangering yourself when receiving any type of treatment for toenail fungus.

Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment in Houston, TX

In our Houston Laser Nail Therapy clinics, our doctors offer laser treatment. They use state-of-the-art laser technology to treat toenail fungus. Our doctors use the FDA-approved PinPointe Foot Laser. It has a cure rate of eighty-five percent after just one treatment. Most of our patients only need one treatment. The treatment is safe with no side effects. There is also pain involved with the treatment. Most patients say they feel a warming sensation when receiving the treatment.

After treatment, you can go about your daily activities. There is no down or recovery period. Our doctors might also recommend any necessary post-treatment care to ensure that you do not get re-infected. There are times when our nail doctors might recommend more than one treatment. If this were your case, any follow-up treatments would be provided at a reduced rate.

How did I get infected with Toenail Fungus?

Toenail fungus can be found all around our environment. Fungal spores infect your toenails by entering through the nail bed. Fungal spores tend to thrive in dark, warm, moist environments. A common way people get infected is when they wear the same tight-fitted closed-toe shoes for prolonged periods of time. This can create the perfect dark, moist environment for fungal spores to grow and infect your nails.

You can also transfer those fungal spores if you do not change your socks every time you switch shoes. This leads to having multiple shoes with fungal spores, allowing the infection to grow more.

You can also get a toenail fungus infection by walking barefoot in public spaces. This includes swimming pools, hot tubs, hot springs, saunas, gyms, locker rooms, and communal showers. People who already have a toenail fungus infection might be walking around barefoot, potentially putting themselves at risk of getting toenail fungus.

Lastly, people often get a toenail fungus infection at nail salons. When getting your pedicure and even manicure, people can get nail fungus. Make sure to always go to a clean and sanitary nail salon. And that all the tools they use are disinfected and sterile. As an option, you may also bring your own tools. When nail salons use the same tools on various customers at a time, they are putting you at risk of getting a toenail fungus infection. Many people who suffer from toenail fungus infection get a pedicure to hide their toes. This can lead to many others getting infected if they do not disinfect their tools.

Shopping in Houston, TX

Besides museums and sports, there is always a place to go shopping! The Historic 19th Street in the Heights is a well-known area where there is a variety of local shops, restaurants, and lively entertainment.

If you are all about shopping, you will have a variety of shops to visit. They range from clothing boutiques, gift shops, antiques, handmade jewelry, vintage clothing, and more.

After all the shopping, you will want to enjoy a delicious meal from one of the many restaurants. Some recommendations include Squabble, La Lucha, Mico’s Hot Chicken, and many more. You have a variety of options to choose from. All these restaurants are on the same street, so you can still keep exploring all that 19th Street in the Heights has to offer.

Aside from food and shopping, there is also live entertainment you can enjoy. This includes live music at The Heights Theater. It was recently renovated in 2016 to bring musical talent to Houston. This theater remains a Houston landmark, even though it was destroyed by a fire a few years ago. This theater has historical significance and is still giving back to its community by displaying entertainment for everyone.

The Vinal Edge is also a Houston favorite of metal and indie rock fans. Vinal Edge moved to 19th Street in the Heights in 2012. It added a versatile collection of music to all the other people who were intrigued by the store. It has definitely helped them gain more popularity and made it easier to get to, as their previous location was in Houston’s north side.

While enjoying all that Houston has to offer, make sure to visit one of our Houston offices if you suffer from a toenail fungus infection. At Laser Nail Therapy, our nail doctors provide the most effective laser treatment for toenail fungus. Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation at (800)672-0625 or visit our website for more information.

Does Nail Removal get rid of Toenail Fungus?

Some people believe that removing the entire nail will get rid of the toenail fungus infection. This is not the case. The toenail fungus infection is not just on your nail; it is also on your nail bed. If you do not treat your nail bed, then the infection will not go away. When your new nail begins to grow, you will notice that it is still infected.

The nail bed has to be treated to get rid of your toenail fungus infection. Our nail doctors in Houston recommend laser treatment as it has the highest cure rate on the market. It is also safe and pain-free. Consult with our board-certified podiatrists to learn more about laser treatment and how it can cure your toenail fungus infection.

How Does Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus Work?

Laser treatment offers a modern approach to treating toenail fungus. In Houston, our nail doctors use the FDA-cleared PinPointe™ FootLaser to target fungal organisms under the nail.

Before performing the laser procedure, our board-certified podiatrists evaluate the thickness of the affected nails. If the nails are thickened, the doctor trims and files them down through a process called debridement. Thinning the nail improves laser penetration and allows the energy to reach the fungus in the nail bed more effectively.

During treatment, the doctor moves the laser in a precise grid-like pattern across the surface of each nail. The device delivers concentrated pulses of light energy that heat and disrupt fungal cells while protecting the surrounding skin. Patients typically describe the sensation as mild warmth rather than pain.

After completing the procedure, the doctor reviews post-treatment care instructions. Although the laser targets the active infection, fungal spores can remain in shoes, socks, or other environments. Following hygiene and prevention guidelines reduces the risk of reinfection.

Some patients achieve desired results with one session, while others may benefit from additional treatments depending on infection severity. When follow-up sessions are recommended, the care team discusses the treatment schedule and associated costs in advance.

Toenail Fungus Laser Treatment Preparation

People often wonder if there is any specific preparation that they need before getting laser treatment for toenail fungus. There is not much you need to do. First, you would need to remove all nail polish from your nails. This is because the doctor will first examine you and determine if what you have is a toenail fungus infection. They can’t do that if there is nail polish on your nails. Also, trim your nails if you are able to. If your nails have become thickened due to the toenail fungus infection, then the doctor would be able to take care of that. Lastly, make sure to bring a clean pair of socks if you wear closed-toed shoes. This is to ensure that you do not get reinfected after the laser treatment is performed, as fungal spores can still be present in the socks you arrived in.

There is no other preparation needed besides having bare nails and attempting to trim them. The nail doctors will go over everything you need to know regarding the laser treatment during your consultation.

Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus in Houston, TX

Remember to visit one of our Houston clinics if you are interested in laser treatment for toenail fungus. We are open every day from 9 am-9 pm for scheduling. Our board-certified podiatrists provide the best treatment to all our patients and have cured hundreds of toenail fungus infections. Feel free to call us for more information regarding laser treatment and to schedule a free consultation today at (800) 672-0625.