What is fungal nail therapy?
Fungal nail therapy is a podiatry subspecialty specializing in treating onychomycosis (fungal toenails). Most fungal nail infections start as a small white or yellow dot. As the infection deepens and spreads, your nails may change color, thicken, or start flaking away.
If you have symptoms of a fungal nail infection, contact Foot and Ankle Wellness Center. Intervention and treatment can prevent the infection from spreading and preserve your toenails.
Who can benefit from fungal nail therapy?
Consider fungal nail therapy at Foot and Ankle Wellness Center if your toenails are:
- Separated from the nailbed
- Misshapen
- Brittle, crumbly, or ragged
- Discolored
- Thick
Fungal nail infections may cause your nails to have a foul odor.
Who gets fungal toenails?
Fungal toenails can affect anyone, but several factors may increase your risk, including:
- Having sweaty feet
- Wearing shoes that prevent your feet from breathing
- Walking barefoot in damp, public areas, like saunas or swimming pools
- Having a skin condition that affects your nails, like psoriasis
Diabetes may also increase your risk of fungal toenails. Without proper treatment, diabetes affects circulation to your feet.
Should I see a podiatrist for fungal nail therapy?
Contact the Foot and Ankle Wellness Center team if you have symptoms of a fungal nail infection and they don’t improve with topical treatments, like antifungal cream. That’s particularly true if you have diabetes or your symptoms affect your walking ability.
How is toenail fungus diagnosed?
Your Foot and Ankle Wellness Center provider reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes a podiatry exam. They check your toenails for signs of infection and collect several toenail clippings to send to a lab for testing.
Certain skin-related issues, like psoriasis, can mimic fungal nails. Analyzing your nail samples identifies the source of your symptoms and helps guide treatment.
What does fungal nail therapy involve?
The team at Foot and Ankle Wellness Center offers several types of fungal nail therapy. They may recommend:
- Oral antifungal medication
- Prescription-strength medicated nail polish
- Medicated nail cream
- Keryflex® to repair damaged nails
If your fungal infection continues, your provider may recommend surgery to remove the nail even after these treatments. After removing the nail, your provider applies an antifungal solution to the nail bed, preventing the infection from returning.
Call the nearest Foot and Ankle Wellness Center office today to explore the benefits of fungal nail therapy, or book an appointment online.
