Laser Nail Therapy offers treatment for toenail fungus in Manhasset, NY. Read this blog to learn more about how to spot a toenail fungal infection and find the best treatment options for you.
Initially, a toenail fungus infection might be hard to spot. This is especially difficult for people who tend to wear nail polish. The fungal infection might get confused with nail polish residue. Toenail fungus may first appear as discolored spots under the toenails. First signs of fungus may not alarm most people but if left untreated it will worsen over time. The fungal infections may cause the toenails to become very thick, they may start lifting from the nail bed, and cause a foul odor.
Most Common Symptoms of toenail fungus :
- Thick Toenails
- Discolored Toenails
- Flaky Toenails
- The foul cheese-like smell coming from the nails
- Toenails that lift from the nail bed
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule a consultation with one of our doctors today to discuss treatment options! We recommend not waiting until the infection becomes so severe that it will be very difficult to treat.
Will a Toenail Fungus infection cause pain?
Normally toenail fungus infections are not painful. However, if left untreated, the nails will become very thick. This will make wearing closed-toe shoes extremely uncomfortable and cause pain when standing or walking. Toenail fungus infections may also cause emotional pain and embarrassment. Most people experiencing toenail fungus will tend to hide their feet and avoid activities that will involve being barefoot.
Aside from being uncomfortable, the infected nails can lift off the nail bed. This can cause the nails to get caught on furniture or clothing. Which can lead to the nail being ripped off completely. Also lifted nails create a gap where bacteria may start growing. Bacteria cause infections that can be painful and often really smell bad. Furthermore, if you have toenails that are causing you pain or have an odor that you can’t seem to get rid of through proper hygiene, you should schedule a visit with Laser Nail Therapy to have your condition examined. Our doctors are experienced and highly trained in getting rid of all types of toenail fungus.
Most Common Toenail Fungus Treatment Options
Toenail fungus can be treated with topical medications, oral medications, or laser treatments.
Topical medication has a hard time penetrating the nail to kill the fungus. It usually just sits on the surface of the nail and is not able to penetrate the thick surface of the nail. It is more effective at using preventative medicine. This process has a cure rate of less than 5% so can make it very frustrating for people trying to get rid of their toenail fungus infection.
Oral medication has many risks of side effects. One of the risks is liver failure. Our doctors do not recommend patients proceed with this treatment even though it’s much more effective than topical medication due to the dangerous side effects. Additionally, when taking the medication patients are required to do periodic blood tests to test the toxicity levels in their blood.
Lastly, laser treatments are able to penetrate the nails and kill the fungus using a source of heat. Our laser, the PinPointe FootLaser is effective against all types of toenail fungus and has no side effects. Also, The laser treatment is painless and won’t harm healthy tissue. The treatment typically lasts only twenty to thirty minutes, during which the patient experiences a warming sensation where the laser is focused, but no pain. The laser light heats the fungus. It kills the fungus and fungal spores without harming healthy tissue. Patients are able to return to normal activities right after the treatment is concluded.
Who is more likely to get toenail fungus?
Anyone can get toenail fungus. Going barefoot in public showers is a common way to come into contact with the fungus. Not everyone who comes into contact with toenail fungus will actually get toenail fungus. People with weakened immune systems are especially likely to develop nail fungus.
Athletes have a higher risk of getting toenail fungus, partly because of the tight-fitting shoes they wear and the workouts they endure causing their feet to sweat. Athletes are also prone to repeated nail trauma, which weakens the nail and provides an opportunity for nail fungus to begin.
Elderly people are more likely to develop toenail fungus, due to an overall weakened immune system caused by age. Other conditions that make a person more susceptible to toenail fungus include diabetes, AIDS, cancer, and taking immunosuppressive medications like steroids.
Can I get toenail fungus from a pedicure?
It is possible to contract toenail fungus from a nail salon. If the sanitary conditions of a salon are not sufficiently maintained, toenail fungi can lurk in the cracks and crevices of basins and equipment. These fungi can then be passed from one customer to another. Proper hygiene and a strict cleaning regimen will reduce the chances of toenail fungus being contracted by customers of a nail salon. It is important to avoid nail salons that lack good sanitation.
Is toenail fungus contagious?
Yes. Toenail Fungus, or Onychomycosis, infection is highly contagious. People with nail fungus are also likely to spread this disease to others. Since nail fungus is an infectious disease there is also a chance of re-infection. Therefore patients who have eliminated toenail fungus should still be careful and follow some basic precautions to prevent fungus recurrence. We recommend using the anti-fungal spray for feet and shoes, keeping feet clean and dry, and changing socks daily.
Will my toenails grow back after fungus treatment?
After treatment, you can expect your toenail to continue to grow out at its natural rate, replacing the fungal nail with a healthy one.
Will Toenail Fungus Go Away on Its Own?
In most cases, toenail fungus will not go away on its own. It requires treatment to eliminate it.
PinPointe Laser Therapy for 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 Manhasset, NY 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.
In conclusion, if you have any signs of nail fungus, call us at (516) 559-6686 at our Manhasset, NY location, or visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.