Can Dermatologist Treat Nail Fungus

What Is An Ingrown Nail

When the corner of a nail curves downward into the skin, it causes an ingrown nail. Ingrown nails are most common on the big toe. An ingrown nail may be caused by not cutting the nail straight across, tight shoes, poor hygiene, injury or even a genetic predisposition.

An ingrown nail can be painful and can become infected. Treatment can help these problems.

Fungal nail infection

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Aad Speaker: Accurate Diagnosis Of Nail Fungus Key To Treatment

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Several conditions look similar to nail fungus, so it is important to get an accurate diagnosis before beginning treatment, according to a presenter at the American Academy of Dermatology Summer Meeting in New York.

Although nail fungus is the most common nail disorder that dermatologists treat, not every nail problem is caused by fungus, and there are several other conditions that may look similar, including nail psoriasis and nail trauma,Shari Lipner, MD, PhD, FAAD, assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, said in a news release. If you treat something thats not a fungus as a fungus, it may not help problem in fact, it could make the condition worse.

However, if a fungal infection is left unchecked, symptoms could get worse and possible cause pain or interfere with daily activities, Lipner said.

Lipners presentation, Onychomycosis: Tips for Improved Diagnosis and Treatment, was part of the Hot Topics in Nail Disorders session.

Diagnostic tests to confirm the presence of nail fungus include a new technique utilizing molecular biology to identify the organisms causing the infection, according to the release. Lipner added that the method is not yet widely used.

Fingernail fungus is typically treated for 6 weeks with oral medications, while toenail fungus requires 3 months of oral treatment, according to the release.

Essential Oils And Ozonized Oils

Several essential oils have been shown to be an effective toenail fungus treatment. “Research by our group and others has shown that essential oils may be cheap, efficient alternatives that have minimal side effects,”Professor Lígia Salgueiro and Professor Eugénia Pinto say in a news release. Lavender oil “shows wide-spectrum anti-fungal activity and is highly potent.” Tea tree oil also has anti-fungal and antiseptic properties. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health cites some small-scale clinical studies suggesting that tea tree oil might be an effective home remedy. Plus, these are the best essential odors for combating foot odor. Oils such as olive oil and sunflower oil contain ozone gas. A 2011 study published in the Brazilian Journal of Microbiology showed that small doses of this kind of ozone, applied over a short period, can eliminate fungus. A different study, conducted at the National Center for Scientific Research, Cuba, found that sunflower oil was more effective than the prescription drug Xolegel .

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What Kind Of Doctor To See For Toenail Fungus

If you notice unusual changes in your nails you need to see a foot nail doctor, who is a podiatrist. A podiatrist deals with all your foot, ankle, heels, and nail issues. They effectively offer toenail fungus treatment Houston and recommend surgical treatment where necessary. Some people prefer visiting a dermatologist, but then the specialist must be able to diagnose and treat skin, hair, and nail conditions.

Toenail fungus is caused by dermophytes fungithat thrive on the keratin andthe skin keratin is a component of the nails and the hair. The fungus gets under the nail bed in addition to causing discoloration, which is one of the visible symptoms, it grows and it destroys the nail growth. The nail may fall off, become brittle, thicken, and harden. The condition can be very challenging to get rid ofsometimes.

Home remedies do not cause any harm, however, relying on them when looking to get rid of the fungus can be risky. This is because most of the time you do not have the correct diagnosis and it could be dangerous for your health. If left untreated toenail fungus causes deformity and severe pain.

If home remedies are not improving your fungal toenail, you may want to consult a nail fungus doctor at DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale, a foot and ankle specialist will provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet. She has many options for toenail fungus treatment in her Houston office

Tips To Combat Foot Fungus

The best way to combat foot fungus is to reduce your exposure to it. There are simple things you can do to prevent from contracting foot and nail fungus.

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What Do I Do To Get Started With Treating My Nail Fungus

Addressing the issue in a timely fashion is recommended, so call our office today. One of our skilled, board-certified dermatologists will consult with you to explore treatment options. At Dermatology Affiliates, we pride ourselves in our individualized nail fungus treatment service for those in the Atlanta and East Cobb area. Our advanced skills and state-of-the-art equipment can provide you optimal solutions to improve your self-esteem and overall appearance, so contact us today.

Do Over The Counter Topical Ointments Work

While a search for toenail fungus treatment is likely to recommend the use of topical ointments you can buy from any pharmacy, according to Dr. Wagenseller, Toenail fungus rarely responds to treatment with these topical creams. In order to experience any improvement at all, patients may need to use the over the counter topical creams for years, and once they discontinue use, patients will likely develop toenail fungus again.

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What Can You Do To Prevent Nail Fungus

Fungal infections are more likely to occur if your feet are constantly warm and damp. For example, people who wear sneakers for extended lengths of time may be more at risk. The infection can spread from fungi that are in or on the body already or from direct contact with someone who has the infection.

To prevent nail fungus, treat athlete’s foot before it can affect the nails, ensure that your feet are clean and dry, put on clean socks each day, wear flip-flops if you’re walking in public areas like the gym or pool, dump old shoes, avoid wearing tight-fitting shoes that cause your feet to become hot and sweaty, and don’t share towels, shoes, nail clippers, or other personal items.

Get treatments for nail fungus in Albuquerque. Contact Western Dermatology Consultants at or schedule a free consultation to learn how to maintain healthy nails and skin.

Cosmetics And Laser Center Appointments: 259

Cosmetic dermatologists have madegreat strides using laser treatment technology to treat nail fungus. Due to therisks associated with oral medications and the disappointing results fromprescription creams and polishes to treat nail fungus, these therapies arequickly becoming treatments of the past.

Clinical research trials show lasertreatment success being as high as 90% with multiple treatments, whereascurrent prescription therapies are about 50% effective. Laser treatment worksby heating up the nail layers specific to the fungus and attempting to destroythe genetic material responsible for fungus growth and survival.

What are the benefits of laser nail fungus treatment?

• Safe and effective
• Treatments are quick
• Minimal to no discomfort
• Excellent alternative to potentially harmful oral medication

What can I expect during and after the laser nail fungus treatment?

• Minimum of 2 treatments is recommended
• Treatments performed 5 to 6 weeks apart
• All nails in the area of the fungus are treated
• Laser treatment is used in conjunction with topical creams
• Fingernails require 3 to 6 months to regrow completely and toenails 12 to 18 months
• Results will not be seen until at least 2 months from the initial laser treatment

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What Is Nail Fungus

Also known as onychomycosis, nail fungus is a relatively common condition that affects both the fingernails and, more predominately, the toenails. This fungal infection of the nail bed can be identified by its telltale symptoms such as yellowing or darkening of the nails, crumbling, and thickening. Nearly 10 percent of the population is impacted by this condition.

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Treatment Options For Nail Fungus

Interviewer:

Most of my conversation is usually discussing medical therapy, so things that are available by prescription only. And those come in two main forms, which are topical antifungal medications, and then oral antifungal medications. There are other surgical or procedural options, so you can remove nails as well. And then there’s starting to be more interest in technologies like lasers for nail fungus.

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Other Nail Fungus Treatment Options

If oral medications arent an option for you, other treatments exist, such as:

• Prescription-strength nail cream or polish
• Surgery
• Laser.

Creams and polishes are medicated topical solutions that you have to apply daily. These nail fungus treatments contain medicine thats absorbed by your nails and your skin, fighting the infection over time. But they may take as long as one year to work. Surgery is obviously the final option if nothing else has worked. Removing your infected nail, temporarily or even permanently, lets your NYC dermatology doctor put antifungal medication directly onto your toe or finger, where its most needed.

Best Ways To Treat A Nail Fungus

Nail fungus can cause thick, discolored nails, and, for some patients, it can even be painful. An Internet search will bring up plenty of ways to treat the condition, but which ones are best? Dermatologist Dr. Christopher Hull discusses what nail fungus actually is, why its so hard to get rid of, and which treatments work best.

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Diagnosis And Treatment Of Subungual Melanoma

Diagnosing and treating subungual melanoma is much more involved.

Once your doctor performs the initial assessment and determines you might have subungual melanoma, theyll commonly suggest a nail biopsy.

A nail biopsy is the primary diagnostic tool available for making a definitive diagnosis. A dermatologist or nail specialist will remove some or all of the nail for examination.

If theres a diagnosis of cancer, depending on the severity and how early it was found, treatment can include:

• surgery to remove the affected nail
• amputation of the knuckles of the finger or toe
• amputation of the entire finger or toe

Best Nail Fungus Dermatologist In Nj: Treatments We Offer

As nail fungal infections can be difficult to treat, over-the-counter products often fail to solve the issue. Thus, its wise to seek professional treatment from Kessel Dermatology, the best nail fungus dermatologist in NJ. Our specialists can recommend the right nail fungus treatment for you, taking into account the severity of the infection and the type of fungus that is causing it.

After carefully evaluating the condition of your nails using cutting-edge technology, we may prescribe one or more of the following treatment methods for nail fungus:

• Topical anti-fungal creams, which are rubbed into the affected nail to eradicate fungus
• Oral anti-fungal medications, which work to eliminate infection and promote normal nail regrowth
• Medicated nail lacquers, which are applied to the infected nail and surrounding skin to help get rid of fungus
• Laser therapy, which kills fungus and fosters healthy nail growth

Depending on your unique situation, we may suggest a single treatment or a combination of methods to address your nail fungus.

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Best For Toenails: Fungi

This is one of my favorites because it relieves symptoms such as burning and itching, and also restores the skin under the nail and around the cuticle, says Dr. Chen. Its also very easy to use and wont break the bank, she adds. It touts Tolnaftate 1%, a clinically proven anti-fungal active ingredient, to cure and prevent infection, as well as five essential oils tea tree oil, aloe vera, eucalyptol, olive oil, and lavender to restore skin health.

My nail was cut in a pedicure, causing my nail to get fungus, shared a customer. This stuff cleared it right up. My nail fell off and grew back healthy. Worked and quickly in about a week.

What Are The Treatment Options For Fungal Infections

Infections on your feet or body can be treated with a cream. Since its on the surface, you can treat it with a topical ant-fungal medication.

For fungal infections no longer isolated to a small part of the body , an oral medication is recommended to fully treat the extent of the infection.

Toenail fungus infections are best treated with oral medications. Typically, these medications are about 70% effective and require vigilance in preventing recurrence. Toenail fungus usually disappears within six to twelve months of taking the pill and then require regular cream application to keep it from returning. Using these oral medications intermittently or pulse-dosing can be a way to avoid over exposure to these oral medications.

About 95% of the fungal infections we see as dermatologists are easy to diagnose and treat. Only about 5% require oral medications for deeper infections in the skin.

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Doctors Weigh Best Treatments

The best treatment for fungal nail infections is a prescription that your dermatologist can prescribe that you take every day for two-to-three months. The pill is not for everyone, since oral antifungals can interact with other medications and can affect the liver.

Fortunately if you dont want to or cant take a pill, there are topical solutions to treat nail fungus. Although topical medications are desirable because of the low risk of side effects and interaction with other medications, they have much longer treatment regimens. Generally, topical medications have a lower clearance rate compared to oral pills.

Newer topical antifungals including Efinaconazole and Tavaborole have better penetration of the nail plate and so they work better compared to older topical medications, says Dr. Ng. She says the topical medications work best if you only have partial nail involvement.

Lasers are approved by the FDA to temporarily increase the amount of clear nail. However, the cure rates are lower than oral medications and topical solutions.

Best Overall: Ariella Nail Fungus Treatment For Toenail And Fingernail

No matter whether youre trying to treat your fingernails or toenails, this Amazon fan-favorite nail fungus treatment will do the trick. Shoppers repeatedly rave about how its out-performed many similar products theyve tried and how easy it is to use. To that point, it touts a super convenient and mess-free brush-on applicator, and the liquid formula dries very quickly. The brand promises youll see results in 2-4 weeks, and recommends applying the treatment 2-3 times per day to help eliminate discoloration and strengthen nails.

One reviewer wrote: This is the only product that has worked on a nail fungus Ive struggled with since high school. After decades of covering it with acrylic toenails, I decided to attack this at its roots. The pen-style allows easy application of the product. It also absorbs quickly into to the nail.

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How To Prepare To See Your Doctor

• List any symptoms, even ones that you feel are not likely related to your nail condition. This can affect your doctors treatment choices.
• List any medications that you are currently taking. Some nail fungus treatments may have interactions with other drugs. List any allergies or other personal information that may be relevant.
• Inform the doctor of any other health problems that you have. Conditions like cancer, diabetes and psoriasis can make you more vulnerable to infection or could make certain treatment options not good for you.

How To Treat Severe Nail Fungal Infection

Some people opt not to do anything about their nail fungal infection because they are not bothered by it at all, or at least they have adapted to live with the condition. However, it is recommended that the infection is treated immediately because it might get worse.

For severe nail fungal infection cases, treatment is necessary. In such cases, the infection may even spread to other parts of the body and will compromise the overall health of the patient.

Doctors are likely to prescribe oral fungicidal medicines to treat severe nail fungal infections depending on the patients condition, medical history, other ailments, and restrictions. While oral treatments are generally considered effective, but they are slow in delivering results and they come with side effects. Therefore, doctors take into consideration their patients individual health records in prescribing oral fungicidal medications.

Its not the most common solution, but surgery is also sometimes recommended for extreme cases of onychomycosis. A part of the nail or the entire nail can be removed in the surgery, which can be done in a clinic or in the doctors office. By removing the nail, the fungi infection is also removed, allowing a new and healthy nail to grow back. It takes time for the new one to grow fully, though, and the fungi may even return during the recuperation period.

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