Each year Americans spend millions of dollars trying to treat stubborn toenail fungus. Unfortunately, most fail because it often takes up to a year for the infection to entirely clear. If you've been fighting a losing battle with toenail fungus, let Hatim Burhani, DPM, FACFAS, Siraj Panchbhaiya, DPM, FACFAS, and the team at Eastside Podiatry PLLC help you. To schedule an appointment, call the office in St. Clair Shores and Fraser, Michigan, or use the online booking tool today.
Toenail fungus is an infection that occurs underneath the surface of your nail.
When fungi get under your nail, your nail tends to darken in color and emits a foul smell. Waste then collects beneath your nail plate, causing white marks to appear and your nails to thicken, making trimming your nails difficult.
A secondary bacterial or yeast infection often accompanies toenail fungus.
Nails become brittle and dry as you age, allowing toenail fungus to grow when your feet are in warm, moist environments. Walking around barefoot in damp areas -- including swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers -- increases your chances of getting toenail fungus, as it often starts as untreated athlete's foot.
Other factors that increase the likelihood of you contracting toenail fungus include:
Keeping your feet dry, clean, and well-ventilated can reduce your risk of developing toenail fungus altogether.
Symptoms of toenail fungus include:
If you're experiencing symptoms of toenail fungus, schedule an appointment at Eastside Podiatry PLLC.
Treatment for your toenail fungus depends on the type and severity of your infection. However, treatment often involves prescribing either topical or oral medication at your office visit. If your toenail fungus is severe, your infected nail might require removal.
Toenail fungus treatment begins with trimming your nail and scaling away the dead layers, then topical medication is prescribed.
However, if your nail is too thick for the cream to penetrate, Eastside Podiatry PLLC can prescribe oral medication. While both methods work well, it often takes several months for the infection to clear.
In some cases, your nail might need to be removed to rapidly reduce your symptoms and allow for the use of local treatments. Additionally, permanent removal of a nail that fails to respond to other treatments prevents the return of your toenail fungus.
Trying to get rid of toenail fungus without the help of Eastside Podiatry PLLC might unnecessarily prolong your fungus. For effective treatment for toenail fungus, call the office or make an appointment online today.
