Spotting and Stopping Toenail Fungus
For the team at PodiatryCare, P.C. and the Heel Pain Center, there’s no real “off-season” for dealing with onychomycosis, the condition more commonly referred to as toenail fungus. Rain or shine, onychomycosis can cause discoloration, thickening, and crumbling of the toenails, making them unsightly or uncomfortable in all kinds of footwear.
For this blog, we’ll help you recognize what constitutes a fungal toenail infection, then break down an advanced treatment method with promising results.
Symptoms and Pain Points
Fungal infections often start subtly:
You might notice a slight discoloration of a toenail, typically yellowish or white. Not great for open-toed choices like sandals.
As the infection progresses, the nail can become thicker, more brittle, and even detach from the nail bed in severe cases.
The affected toenail can also become painful, especially when wearing closed-toe shoes.
The frustrating part? Toenail fungus is notoriously difficult to treat.
Over-the-counter antifungal creams and polishes can work for mild cases, but their effectiveness is limited, and they require consistent application to work.
Oral antifungal medications prescribed by your doctor can be more successful, but they often require long-term use (several months) and come with potential side effects.
Laser Treatment: An Innovative Option
Laser treatment is a minimally invasive method that’s been gaining traction lately. During your procedure, a laser beam is used to target your infected nail, destroying the fungus without damaging surrounding tissue.
This allows for:
Faster treatment times: Laser therapy typically involves multiple sessions, but each session is usually quicker than traditional topical treatments.
Reduced risk of side effects: Laser treatments are generally well-tolerated, with minimal side effects compared to oral antifungal medications.
Improved appearance: Laser treatment can help restore the cosmetic appearance of the toenail.
If you suspect you have toenail fungus, contact us! We can diagnose the infection, discuss its severity, and recommend the best course of treatment.
At PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we resolve a wide variety of foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are dedicated to helping our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.