How Do We Treat Fungal Nail Infections
We no longer recommend the use of creams, lacquers or sprays on their own because of the poor results from both clinical studies and our experience. Instead, we use two different types of laser to safely and effectively help treat fungal nail infections with minimal hassle for you.
We have both hot and cold laser available at different clinics, and your podiatrist will recommend the best treatment option for you based on your symptoms and severity.
What Can You Expect At A Laser Treatment Appointment
At My FootDr podiatry centres, we dont just treat your fungus, but also help prevent it from coming back. Each new appointment starts with a comprehensive assessment to ensure that we select the best treatment for you, and really get to the cause of the problem. This includes:
- Confirming that you have a fungal nail infection
- A review of the cause of the infection, so we can address this
- A treatment plan outlining the most appropriate management, both short and long-term
- Measures to ensure that once the fungal nail infection is eradicated, the chances for re-infection are minimised
The number of laser treatments you will require is determined by the number of infected nails, severity of the fungal nail infection, your age and general health. Your podiatrist will advise on the number of laser therapy appointments recommended for your treatment, but generally, 3-6 treatments are required.
Mayo Clinic Q And A: Toenail Fungus Often Difficult To Eliminate Completely
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What causes toenail fungus, and what can be done to treat it? Is it contagious?ANSWER: Toenail fungus is an infection thats usually caused by a microscopic organism called dermatophyte fungus. These infections can be contagious, and they are often difficult to eliminate completely. Fortunately, for most healthy adults toenail fungus doesnt pose any serious health risks.
Toenail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail. As the infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. Fungal infections are more likely to happen in your toenails than in your fingernails because toenails often are confined in a dark, warm, moist environment inside your shoes where fungi can thrive. Toes also have less blood flow than fingers, making it harder for your bodys immune system to detect and stop the infection.
The older you are, the more likely you are to get toenail fungus. Thats because as you age, your immune system changes. In addition, your nails become more brittle and drier over time, creating more cracks where fungus can live.
You may see ads publicizing laser treatments for toenail fungus. I usually dont recommend them. They tend to be quite expensive, and at this time most medical insurance does not cover that type of treatment.
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The Second Phase Is To Make The Fungus Vulnerable So I Could Destroy It
The second phase requires enzymes to organically digest the cell walls of the fungus.
So I looked into the most cutting edge biotechnology of modern organic science and found Amylase 5000, Protease 35000, and Lipase 1000.
Three enzymes to break the protein bonds and building blocks of the cell wall.
Leaving the fungus defenseless against the attack of the final phase…
What Is The Outcome For Someone Who Has Nail Fungus
With treatment, many people can get rid of nail fungus. Even when the fungus clears, your nail may look unhealthy until the infected nail grows out. A fingernail grows out in 4 to 6 months and a toenail in 12 to 18 months.
To clear the fungus, its important to:
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Use the treatment exactly as prescribed
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Apply the medicine for as long as prescribed
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Keep all follow-up appointments with your dermatologist
Nail fungus can be stubborn. If you had a severe infection, its possible to clear the infection. A healthy looking nail, however, may be unrealistic, but you can expect the nail to look better and feel more comfortable.
Even with clearing, nail fungus can return. Youll find steps to reduce your risk in Tips: 12 ways to prevent another nail infection.
ImageGetty Images
ReferenceGold LFS and Rosen T. Onychomycosis: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. Dermatology News . March 2016:2-15.
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Nail Removal Home Remedies And Laser Treatment
In the most serious instances of toenail fungus infection, the toenail may be removed surgically or dissolved with acid. This can be done to just a portion of the nail in the hope that the remaining nail will grow back healthy. In cases where the entire toenail has to be removed, artificial nails and products using light-cured resins to form a temporary covering can be used to protect the underlying tissue until the nail grows back.
If you prefer to go the home-remedy route, such as applying tea tree oil or Vicks VapoRub to your nails, keep in mind that the effectiveness of these products for treating toenail fungus hasn’t been well studied, and they are not recommended by podiatrists.
Finally, the Food and Drug Administration has approved several laser devices for temporary increase in clear nails in patients with onychomycosis. But while laser treatments are vigorously marketed, clinical trials of lasers have reported mixed results, and the treatments may not be covered by health insurance. If you wish to try laser treatment of toenail fungus, speak to your doctor about what to expect from the treatment, and call your insurance carrier to find out whether the treatment will be covered.
Additional reporting by Susan Jara.
Thats Why The Only Rational Choice Is To Get Rid Of Your Toenail Fungus Right Now
Anything less than taking massive immediate action is putting you, your family and your loved ones at unacceptable risk.
You dont want that. Not when you can restore your toenails to what they were…
To freely wear sandals at the beach and at the pool…
To protect yourself and your pride from the shame of this ugly condition…
And now that youre on this page, you know its possible to do it for less than the cost of a coffee per day…
With this risk-free opportunity, those toenails will transform and grow into the youthful, healthy looking nails you had decades ago… and it will happen faster than youd expect…
If you can imagine them… shifting color… going from yellow to a healthy white-pink…
Then all you can do is let it happen for you!
Let the transformation be a reality. Its time to move forward and make the only logical choice.
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Can I Get A Pedicure To Get Rid Of The Toenail Fungus
If you find out that you do have toenail fungus, make an appointment with your doctor before attending a nail salon.
Fungal infections can last a lifetime and be very difficult to get rid of, even with medical assistance.
Medical intervention will be much more effective on fungus than a sparkly new paint job.
A pedicurist, no matter how skilled at their job, is not a medically trained professional that can eliminate toenail fungus, and they could actually make things worse.
If you dont fancy blasting that fungus with medicine, you may want to experiment with some home remedies instead. Vinegar solution, for instance, is thought by many to slow down the fungal growth and is known as natures cleaner.
All you need to do is fill a bowl with hot water, add a cup of any kind of vinegar, and a few sprinkles of tea tree oil.
Soak your feet for 15 minutes twice a day, and after a few weeks, youll start to notice a difference. If your condition gets worse, however, go to a doctor immediately.
Another, more effective, way to get rid of toenail fungus is with laser treatment. It is a lot more expensive than your average home remedy, but it eliminates the fungus completely and quickly.
What Happens If You Dont Treat Toenail Fungus
A severe case of nail fungus can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails.
And it may lead to other serious infections that spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.
If your toenail fungus is not responding to any home remedies, please make an appointment and see your doctor. There are prescription drugs that may help.
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On Behalf Of Nutrition Hacks We Are Giving You A 100% No
The details are simple…
You have a full 180 days to witness the transformation of your toenails before you have to decide if you want to keep the formula…
If at any time between now and the next 6 months you dont see amazing results, I want you to reach out to the industry-leading customer service team at Nutrition Hacks and we will return every penny you paid.
On top of that, well even let you keep your package as our way of saying thank you for trying.
You see, I truly believe in this solution as I believe that you deserve to be free of the disgusting yellow toenails that makes you self-conscious and embarrassed to show your feet in public.
Thats why I am proud to give you this promise.
You will see the results for yourself and smile with joy when you realize that this solution does work…
How Can You Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus
Treatment of toenail fungus is only necessary for people at risk of complication, but many people choose to treat anyway. Although there are topical medications that work for very mild fungus infections, most require a long-term treatment with oral medication. The main medication used, Terbenafine, is taken every day for 3-4 months and works most, but not all of the time. Terbenafine has a small risk to the liver, as do other antifungals used to treat this condition, so routine testing is recommended.
Since toenail fungus is usually harmless and difficult to treat, there are a lot of home remedies and alternative medications used. I had one patient who swore that Ben Gay cured her onychomycosis. I suspect it couldnt stand the smell, so it got off of her foot at first available opportunity. In general, as long as its not harmful, I let people do whatever they want to try to get rid of the fungus.
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And It Wasnt Long Before I Began To See The Side Effects
I got a big old rash across my stomach…
And then itching from my ankles all the way up my legs… like spiders crawling over me 24/7.
Not to mention the weird swells, random burns, and sudden stings through my skin…
I suffered through all of it because I desperately wanted to get rid of the fungus…
But finally, after about 4 weeks, my body had enough…
I was sitting in my living room chair and out of nowhere I felt a sudden cramp in my side.
I didnt think anything of it. Stuff like that happens all the time at my age.
But this spasm went from a slight throb to what felt like the explosion of a sawed off shotgun through my belly.
I rushed to the bathroom and the last thing I remember is standing over the toilet with blood pouring out with my urine. And then… absolute darkness.
Black Nail Fungus Pictures
Here is another picture of Black Toenail Fungus in the early stage. This is an early sign of an infected nail fungus. Usually, the nail will be blackened with time. The first solution is to cut the black nails. This is a fact and has been tested by some people, and they said that the fungus becomes unsustainable after they cut it.
The black color usually appears on the sidelines of the nails so we must be rigorous and vigilant when decided to cut it.
When the infection is left untreated, it will spread around the edges, or perimeter, of the nail itself. The nail may start to look powdery or even begin to show signs of crumbling. This will often start the painful course of aggravation.
Here is an advanced stage picture of thumbnail infected with black nail fungus. As you can see the whole nail is turned black and broken in the middle.
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Be Aware Of The Signs
Toenail fungus can start off small and go unnoticed at first until eventually, its a large problem you struggle to be rid of.
As soon as you notice that your nails are looking a little discolored, too soft, too thick, or have white, yellow, or black flakes, go to a doctor.
The quicker you catch toenail fungus, the easier it is to get rid of.
Do You Like Home Remedies
During this pandemic, many people have delayed treatments for relatively minor health problems such as nail fungus. Thats completely understandable. It also explains why home remedies are more popular than ever.
We have two options if you would like to learn more. Our eGuide to Favorite Home Remedies is an electronic resource that you can refer to on your computer. You can find it in the Health eGuide section of this website. It provides scientific rationale behind many of our favorite remedies.
If you are the kind of person who loves to hold a book in your hand, we recommend The Peoples Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies . It is 264 pages and can be found in our bookstore.
Have you tried a home remedy to fight your own nail fungus? How did it work? Leave your story in the comment section below.
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Diluted Bleach Foot Soak
Strong solution: The ratio of bleach to water for this would be around 1 part to 100 parts. Soak your feet in the solution for about 30 minutes a week.
Gentler solution: Use 1 tablespoon to a gallon . Soak your feet in the solution for about 30 minutes a day, all at once or in two or three segments.
With both solutions, its important to rinse off the bleach water thoroughly.
Discolored Toenails: How To Treat Nail Discoloration
2 Minute Read
Looking down at your toes, you notice that one, or a few, are looking a bit off-color. Whether green, black, or brown, this unsightly scene is enough to ask yourself: Is this discoloration normal? Should I be worried?
Find out what can cause nail discoloration and when you should talk to a doctor.
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Treating Toenail Fungus Medically
How a toenail fungal infection is treated may depend on its severity.
In white superficial onychomycosis, for example, the white patches of fungus that form on the nails can sometimes simply be filed off and an over-the-counter antifungal topical medication can be applied to the nail to kill the fungus.
For infections affecting deeper layers of the nail, over-the-counter topical medications often don’t penetrate the nail deeply enough to kill all of the fungus and prevent the infection from recurring. Repeated applications of the medication or a prescription-strength drug may be necessary.
The symptoms of more severe infections include thickened, discolored toenails that may eventually become painful. In these situations, you should see a podiatrist who can devise a treatment plan that may include these actions:
Debridement The thickened portions of the nail can be debrided, or removed, to reduce pain and allow a topical treatment to penetrate more effectively.
Topical Medication Medications that are applied like nail polish or hand cream are sometimes used to treat nail infections. However, topical medication often fails because it doesn’t move deeply enough into the nail to reach the fungus or users forget to apply it daily for almost a year, as is required.
Medical Complications From Untreated Fungal Toenail Infection
Without proper treatment to stop your toenail fungal infection from getting worse, or spreading, complications will eventually develop. Fungal infections of your toenail can spread to the surrounding skin and when your skin becomes cracked, bacteria can enter and cause an abscess.
An abscess on the toe is a tender mass generally surrounded by a colored area from pink to deep red. They are often easy to feel by touching. Inside they are full of pus, bacteria and debris.
Untreated toenail fungal infections can lead to cellulitis and should be treated immediately with antibiotics. Untreated skin infections of the toe may lead to severe cellulitis and if the infection enters the bloodstream it can become septicemia, also known as bacteremia or blood poisoning. Once the infection enters the bloodstream the bacteria and their toxins are carried through the bloodstream to your entire body. If the bacteria levels become high enough, septicemia can quickly become life threatening.
A good reason to seek treatment if you suspect you have a toenail fungal infection is because of the similarity of symptoms for differing diagnosis of more serious toenail conditions. You may have a toenail fungus, but you could also be experiencing similar symptoms of a toenail viral infection , complications from toenail trauma, a pre-malignant lesion or, more seriously, melanoma of the nail bed.
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How To Avoid Toenail Fungus From Nail Salons
Toenail fungus can be difficult to eliminate, but if youd like to prevent it from resurfacing, there are a couple of methods available to you.
While its easy to keep nail fungus at bay when youre at home, it can be much harder when you visit nail salons as youre probably not aware of how clean they keep their nail stations.
Here are some top tips for choosing a nail salon that youre unlikely to catch a toenail fungus at.