5 Ways to Prevent & Treat Fungal Toenails (including Laser Therapy)
While fungal toenail infections don’t usually cause much pain and discomfort in the early stages, as the problem progresses, the nails will become discolored and brittle, and a foul odor is often emitted as the fungi feed on your skin, oils, and sweat. Early treatment of toenail fungus infections will help prevent the need for complete toenail removal surgery, so be sure to book an appointment with our podiatrists.
Five ways to treat & prevent toenail fungus are the following:
Protect your feet to avoid toenail fungus infections— Avoiding the microbes causing the infections in the first place can be achieved by protecting your feet from contact. Be sure to wear shower shoes or sandals, especially in public locker rooms, gym, and pool areas.
Laser Therapy For Toenail Fungus — At our Valley Stream Podiatry, our podiatrists use a laser, which focuses a concentrated beam of laser light through the nail to destroy the fungus living under and in the nail. The procedure is performed in our office, requires no anesthesia and is painless. Most patients require a few treatments and can once again enjoy wearing open toed shoes.
Oral and topical medications—A variety of sprays and powders containing antifungal medication are applied directly to your feet and the inside of your shoes to help control the spread. The most effective treatment is oral medications.
Shaving the toenail (debriding)—Antifungals are more effective when the toenail is thinned with a debriding tool so the medication can penetrate more deeply.
Removal of infected and damaged toenails—In advanced cases, the toenail is so severely damaged that complete removal is necessary. The healthier toenail will eventually grow in place once the nail bed receives treatment.
If you are experiencing the signs of fungal toenail infection, see our foot doctor for comprehensive care and help prevent a recurrence. Make an appointment with Valley Stream Podiatry , located in Valley Stream, NY. With access to advanced technologies ,Dr. Andrew Shapiro, Dr. Michael Barkin and Dr. Sajni Shah and their staff can help you manage all of your foot and ankle conditions, including heel pain, foot and ankle injuries, toe deformities, ingrown nails, toenail fungus and plantar warts. Call (516) 825-3860 or book an appointment online today.