Nail And Skin Fungal Treatment Specialists

How do you get toenail fungus?

Toenail fungus or "onychomycosis", is generally caused by a dermatophyte fungus. In addition, yeasts and molds may also cause fungal nails. Fungi flourish in warm and moist environments. The fungi enter your skin through tiny cuts or through a small gap between your nail and nail bed. Toenails are most commonly affected by fungi because the fungi can flourish best inside your warm shoes. What’s more, blood flow isn’t as immense in your toes as compared to your fingers, which means your body doesn’t have as much opportunity to identify and stop an infection.

What are the symptoms of nail fungus?

Nail fungus will appear brown, green, yellow or black. The infected nail will look thick and ragged and may even separate from the nail bed. Nails look brittle and appear dull with no shine. If you notice any of these symptoms, you probably have a nail fungal infection.

What nail fungus treatment will my doctor recommend?

Many people who suffer from nail fungus may try several over-the-counter or at-home remedies to alleviate the problem. If these methods are unsuccessful, you can receive nail fungus treatment at our Carrollton and Plano, TX locations.

The specific treatment for your nail fungus will depend on a variety of factors, such as the severity of the infection, whether the infection is recurring, and your personal medical history and preferences. Usually, nail fungus treatment is successful with pharmaceutical medications. Options may include oral antifungal drugs, medicated nail polishes, and nail creams. These treatments may take anywhere from several weeks to many months to see results.

For more severely painful or recurring infections, your podiatrist may recommend total nail removal so that a new nail can eventually take the place of the infected nail. Another emerging nail fungus treatment involves laser and light-based therapies. Speak to your doctor about your treatment options.