Do You Have Toenail Fungus?

A fungal infection of your toenails can cause unsightly nails that are thickened and discolored.  These nails are difficult to cut and can be embarrassing and sometimes painful.

Toenail fungus, known as onychomycosis, is more difficult to treat than Athlete’s foot.  Although the organisms that cause Athlete’s foot are the same organisms that cause fungal nail infections, the same topical medications cannot be used.  This is because the creams, lotions, and sprays used for Athlete’s foot cannot penetrate the nail.  There are numerous home remedies and prescription medications available, and their effectiveness depends on the severity of the fungal infection.

Treating Toenail Fungus
Your feet can produce more than a cup of sweat each day!  And if you are wearing shoes, this creates the perfect, warm, dark, and moist environment for fungus to thrive.

All treatments begin with basic, proper foot care.  It is important to keep your feet clean and dry.  Wash your feet daily with soap and water, and dry your feet carefully, especially between your toes.

Always wear clean socks, and if your feet sweat a lot, change your socks a couple times a day.  Consider using foot powder or applying an antiperspirant to your feet to help reduce sweat.  Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row.  This will give them the enough time to dry out.  Also, consider using an antifungal/antibacterial shoe spray.

Medications for Toenail Fungus
The podiatrists at CarePlus Foot and Ankle Specialists offer prescription topical and oral medications for toenail fungus.

We use an oil-based, topical medication that is safe, easy to use, and available in our office.  More extensive fungal infections may require oral medications.  Often times, the best treatment is a combination of both topical and oral antifungal medications.  For the most severe cases, permanent nail removal is another option that may be considered.

See us for a complete evaluation and treatment recommendations for your toenail fungus.