Fungal nail infections are common but can be difficult to eliminate when they occur in the toenails. This condition is not usually painful, so patients often neglect it until their toenails have become embarrassingly crusty, misshapen and discolored. While a number of home and clinical treatments are available to treat toenail fungus, the appearance of laser treatment has given patients a faster, more effective option for restoring their appearance and comfort.
What Is Toenail Fungus and What Causes It?
Toenail fungus, known clinically as onychomycosis, is essentially a fungal infection occurring beneath the toenail. Early cases of onychomycosis may go unnoticed, but established infections are often obvious because of changes in toenail thickness, shape, color and odor. As the toenails become whitish, thick and flaky, they may also take on an offensive smell. The infection can easily spread to other toenails over time and may even spread away from the feet to the skin and fingernails. Toenail trimming becomes more difficult, and the distorted toenails may be uncomfortable when shoes are worn.
Fungus is more likely to grow under the toenails than the fingernails because of damp conditions inside shoes. Conditions that affect immunity, such as diabetes, conditions reducing foot blood flow, such as peripheral artery disease, and heavy perspiration or frequent contact with water increase the risk of developing toenail fungus. Some patients develop toenail fungus because of yeast or bacterial infections near the toenails.
How Can Toenail Fungus Be Treated?
Treatments for toenail fungus can be divided into home and clinical options. At home, cleaning the toenails frequently may help reduce infections of mild severity. A variety of creams are also available over the counter for direct application to the infection. Unfortunately, toenail fungus is notoriously hardy and may not respond to even the most diligent efforts at home.
Clinical treatments include topical treatments, oral antifungal drugs, surgery and laser treatment for toenail fungus. With prescription topical treatments, patients receive antifungal effects at the infection. Oral antifungal drugs often have to be taken for months depending on the product and infection severity. In cases where toenail fungus fails to respond to these treatments, surgery may be advised to remove the infected nails entirely, resulting in a cure. Increasingly, patients are choosing to receive treatment with a laser for onychomycosis.
Why Choose Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus?
Laser treatment is a fast, painless option for resolving toenail fungus and does not require a recovery period afterwards. In contrast to oral antifungal treatment, laser for onychomycosis presents no kidney or liver risks. Depending on the extent of the infection, laser treatment may take a half-hour or less. One treatment session is all that most patients require, but another visit can be worthwhile for major infections.
Lasers are effective at treating toenail fungus thanks to the specific and concentrated wavelength of light energy they provide. While the infected areas are accurately targeted with the laser, nearby healthy tissues are left untouched. In some cases, lasers are used in combination with topical treatments so that the infection can be reached and resolved more easily.
Experienced Podiatrists in NYC
Keeping the feet clean and minimizing moisture inside shoes can help prevent fungal nail infections in the first place. When these infections are already present, clinical care is often required to truly eliminate the problem. Contact our team of podiatrists in NYC at Manhattan Footcare today at 212-629-5090 to learn about the latest treatments, including laser for onychomycosis.
