If You Believe You Have Toenail Fungus And Require Treatment Look No Further Than Advanced Foot And Ankle Specialists Our Dedicated Staff Can Create A Treatment Plan That Is Right For You Call Today Or Book An Appointment Online
Toenail fungus is a common fungal infection affecting the feet. It can arise from a number of different causes, although it can be tricky to determine exactly how it was contracted. Oftentimes, toenail fungus is transmitted in a locker room, where it is warm and moist and many people walk around barefoot. These places are the perfect breeding ground for toenail fungus and other fungal infections, so be sure to wear flip flops to avoid contracting them!
Q: Can Podiatrists Perform Corn Removal And Callus Removal
A: Corns and calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin. Development of corn and callouses occur when your skin tries to protect itself against friction and pressure.
The most common areas of development are on your feet and toes. If corns and calluses are causing you discomfort, you should seek treatment. We provide treatment for these somewhat unsightly painful conditions. Dont hesitate to contact us today.
Q: What Parts Of The Body Do Podiatrists Treat
A: Podiatrists in Michigan are licensed to treat the foot, ankle, and lower leg below the knee.
At Prime Foot & Ankle Specialists, we specialize in toenail problems, toe problems, foot problems, heel problems, ankle problems, minimally invasive surgery, advanced diagnostic techniques, and advanced treatment options. We pride ourselves on being your choice for all foot and ankle problems!
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Do I Need To See A Toenail Fungus Doctor
However, if youve tried these home remedies and youre noticing a marked increase or a lack of improvement in your symptoms, it is recommended you visit a doctor. Especially if the nail becomes painful.
If you are a person suffering from low circulation, a weakened immune system, and/or diabetes, it is also highly recommended that you skip the at-home treatments and go straight to seeing a foot fungus doctor, as you are at a higher risk of severe complications.
Take A Full Medical History
“The first step is to take a history of the problem,” says podiatrist , DPM, CEO of HappyFeet LLC. “In other words, I want to know how long have you had this and what previous treatment you’ve had.” A podiatrist needs to understand the extent of the problem and any other medical factors which may influence their choice of toenail fungus treatment. A full medical history is also important because the first line of defense is usually oral medication, but this treatment can have side effects for people with underlying health issues. Make sure you reveal everythinghere are 14 things to never lie to your doctor about.
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Increased Chances Of Athlete’s Foot
If the nail fungus spreads to the skin on your feet it is called Athlete’s foot. Symptoms include itchy and dry skin between the toes or on your soles, cracking, and peeling of the skin.
People suffering from athletes feet have high chances of developing nail fungus. As the name suggests, athletes are at high risk of contracting the disease. However, it can infect anyone if preventive measures are not taken timely.
Podiatrists Located In West Islip Ny & Hicksville Ny
A toenail fungus infection can become so severe that your toenails start crumbling away, which can be incredibly painful. If you have toenail fungus, the doctors at the offices of Robert J. Landy, D.P.M. and Dr. Rachel B. Perl in West Islip and Hicksville, New York, can get your toes healthy again. Book an appointment online or over the phone today.
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When Should I See A Doctor For Toenail Fungus
If you feel like the situation has gotten out of control and you have not seen any progress with your symptoms after applying the home treatments, its time to pay your doctor a visit.
In extreme cases, you might be experiencing these symptoms. If so, please visit your foot and ankle specialist immediately to care and treat your toenail fungus. Look out for these symptoms:
- A swollen toe turns red with discoloration or becomes tender to the touch.
- Your toe feels hotter than the rest of your body.
- If the infected toe or the surrounding area of the toe is starting to secrete
- Red streaks around the infected toe.
- If you develop a fever of 100.4º F or higher, then the infection is moving to the rest of your body.
- The infected nail spreads to the skin.
- Intolerable pain
Once you see your doctor and they have indeed diagnosed the fungal toenail infection, they can do a few things to alleviate the pain, discomfort, and get rid of the infection.
Usually, oral prescriptions are the treatments and cures associated with the infection. Also, prescription anti-fungal nail polish can soothe your nails. The polish rids your nail of fungal properties. To clean everything up and keep your feet and nails protected, strength nail cream can also be applied directly to the area.
Podiatrist Located In Porter Ranch Ca Westwood Ca Encino Ca And Los Angeles Ca
Getting rid of toenail fungus is difficult on your own. When over-the-counter remedies dont work, Dr. Syamak Yamini offers prescription-strength options to attack fungus at the source. If youre looking for a podiatry specialist to help you get rid of unsightly fungus, call or use the online scheduler to see Dr. Yamini at his Porter Ranch, Encino, and Los Angeles, California, locations.
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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 .
When Is It Time To Visit A Foot And Ankle Doctor For Toenail Fungus
A harmless toenail fungus can be more dangerous than you think. When you feel like youre handling it and want to take care of it yourself, its a tough pill to swallow. It is possible that your toenail fungus may be out of your control. However, especially with ailments related to your feet, you cant be too overcautious. Get your symptoms checked out so you can rule out something more serious.
At the end of the day, toenail fungus can be more serious than poor hygiene. In fact, toenail fungus can often come from the things you dont seem to realize.
This article will help you recognize when its time to get to the foot and ankle doctor to treat your toenail fungus.
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Q: Does Medicare Pay For Diabetic Shoes And Custom Orthotics
A: Medicare will cover diabetic shoes and inserts with some patients.
- Patients must meet and have specific qualifying conditions that must be verified by the Physician managing their diabetes.
- If you have diabetes, you should have an annual foot evaluation performed by a foot doctor or podiatrist to determine if you are eligible for this benefit through Medicare and other insurance carriers.
What Do Podiatrists Prescribe For Toenail Fungus
Oral antifungal drugs can be the first choice which includes Itraconazole or Terbinafine .
- They will kill the fungus and help a new nail grow while slowly replacing the infected part.
- Oral antifungal treatment may be continued for 6 -12 weeks.
- Anti-fungal cream or lotion will be applied to the nails, especially the edges, to reach the nail bed.
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Best Podiatrist For Toenail Fungus Treatment Near Me Video Summary:
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How Do You Treat Nail Fungus
Often, treatment begins with testing. Your podiatrist scrapes a small amount of the fungus for lab analysis. Then they recommend treatment based on the exact kind of nail fungus and its severity.
Common treatment approaches for fungal nails include:
- Debridement removal of the infected portion of your nail
- Oral anti-fungal medication
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Surgical Toe Fungus Removal Treatment
This is the last resort to treat the toenail fungus condition. The whole nail can be removed or part of it can be removed to allow a healthy growth of the nail. Sometimes the nail might be removed with some skin underneathit depends on the level of infection. This will ensure that the nail that grows back will not be susceptible to infections.
Over the counter remedies bought from your local drug store are not expensive. However, they are not as strong and might not completely clear the fungal infection. If they clear the infection for some time and it comes back, seek an alternative cureby visiting a podiatrist for further treatment.
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Symptoms Of Toenail Fungus
There are various symptoms to watch out for when you are trying to self-diagnose toenail fungus. These symptoms can include:
- The toenail becoming brittle and ragged with edges that seem to be crumbling.
- A thickening of the toenail that is more than normal.
- The toenail growing into a distorted shape and thickening as it grows.
- When the nail turns a darker shade because of trapped dirt.
- There is a foul smell coming from the nail itself.
- The toenail is turning a different colorlike a yellow-brown or a white-yellow.
If you are experiencing any or more of these symptoms, it might be time to try some home remedies or treatments. You can either deal with them at home, by using over-the-counter medications like nail creams or ointments. Or you can alter the nail yourself and then add the medication. Altering the nail may include thinning it down with a file or trimming it down with a clipper or nail scissors. Being able to get to the infected parts of the nail is important when applying medicine.
Dont get to this point if you can. There are a few preventative care measures you can take right now of your nail:
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Know It May Have To Be Permanent
At this point, if he or she has not discussed this with you earlier, the doctor may recommend that you have the nail permanently prevented from growing back. This is only done in severe cases of fungus or other disorders where the problem would simply keep occurring if the nail grew back.
To do this, the doctor must destroy the nail matrix, which is the part of the toe that produces keratin, the element that toenails are made of.
The matrix can be dissolved chemically, which is the most common. This is called chemical cauterization, and involves the application of a chemical called phenol. Occasionally, some patients report their nails growing back, but generally this method is effective.
If this does not work, your doctor will perform a surgical matrixectomy. A flap of skin is surgically created at the base of the nail, where the matrix is located. After retracting the flap, the matrix is surgically removed.
Know Not To Be Afraid
Surgery can be nerve-wracking and scary. Nobody likes pain, hospitals, scalpels, cuts, and anesthesia. The whole idea can be very unpleasanteven reading about it can turn the stomach!
But, it is very important to remember that thousands of people have experienced nail removal and have lived to tell about it! While there may be some discomfort and pain following the procedure, if a qualified doctor or other medical professional has concluded this is the best treatment for your specific problem, let that give all the comfort it should. We are very blessed to live in a world where so many health problems can be easily corrected!
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How Long Will It Take To Recover
You will have to use tea tree oil on your toenail fungus regularly before you see any visible results. The total duration of the tea tree oil treatment depends on the severity of the infection. It can take anywhere between weeks to months for your nails to completely heal. So, you need to be patient and keep applying the oil regularly.
Often, after the nail has recovered, you may regrow a healthy nail that is free of any signs of fungal infection. However, experts recommend continuing the use of tea tree oil even after healing to ensure the fungus does not come back.
Q: What Causes Heel Pain
A: Typically, heel pain is not caused by one single incident or injury, and the most common cause is plantar fasciitis, which can lead to long-term pain that may one day require surgical treatment if not corrected.
Repetitive stress/pounding of the heel can cause heel pain.
Other common causes can include inflammation of the plantar fascia, inflammation of the back of the heel, inflammation of the heel pad, progressive degeneration of the Achilles tendon, or a stress fracture caused by repetitive stress to the heel.
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If You See A Doctor What Will Your Treatment Be
When you see your toenail fungus doctor, there may be a few treatments they recommend or prescribe some of which are more pleasant than others. It all depends on the kind of fungus you have, as well as how severe your case is.
The doctor may have to take samples, which would be sent off to a lab to determine exactly what kind of fungus you have. So, be prepared for multiple doctor visits.
Your doctor may prescribe oral antifungal drugs or topical antifungal therapies. Sometimes, combining the two types of treatment has more success than one alone.
Oral antifungal drugs are generally taken for six to twelve weeks, but most of the time, you wont see any positive results until the nail has completely grown out.
There are also medicated nail polishes and medicated nail creams that can be prescribed, but the nail polish can take up to a year to deliver results.
In the most severe of cases, surgery to temporarily remove the nail might be recommended. This is so the doctor can treat the fungal infection under the nail directly.
If the infection is severe enough, the doctor might recommend the permanent removal of the nail.
Which Medical Treatments Can Help My Toenail Fungus
Oral antifungal drugs help clear the infection from inside the body, allowing healthy nail growth to replace infected sections. You usually take the pills for six to 12 weeks and see the final result after four months or more.
Medicated nail polish is another option for toenail fungus. You paint layers of medication on your toe for a week and then clean the accumulated medication and start over. This treatment may take a year of daily application to see results.
Dr. Yamini can also prescribe a medicated cream that you apply to the nail after softening it with water, a file, or urea lotion. If your nails dont respond to medication, Dr. Yamini can remove diseased portions of the nail and apply an antifungal medication directly to the infected area.
Since treatment correlates with the slow rate at which toenails grow, its important to be patient and consistent with your treatment. No matter how you treat your toenail fungus, reinfection is always a possibility. Check in with Dr. Yamini as soon as you can if you notice the fungus returning.
If your toenail fungus bothers you and hasnt responded to at-home treatments, contact Dr. Yamini online or over the phone.
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The Dangers Of Ignoring Toenail Fungal Infections
Even a minor discoloration can be a sign of toenail fungus and worthy of a doctor visit. Find out why and how to get help for symptoms of toenail fungus.
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With all the serious health dangers out there, like cancer and diabetes, having a yellowed nail from toenail fungus can seem pretty insignificant. Since toenail fungus usually isnt painful, many people put off seeking treatment, says Peter Joseph, DPM, a podiatrist with Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh. While many people are otherwise healthy and may just think of it as a cosmetic problem, ignoring a toenail infected with fungus could have health consequences beyond appearances. Potential complications of a toenail fungal infection:
Foot pain. Over time, a nail infected with fungus can become thick and misshapen, causing pain, Dr. Joseph says. It can even make it difficult to walk when wearing shoes, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Treating Symptoms of Toenail Fungus
If you suspect you have a toenail fungal infection, see a doctor, Joseph says. Your doctor may take a small sample from your toenail and have it analyzed to confirm the presence of a fungus. If the test comes back positive, an oral or topical antifungal medication may be prescribed to help treat the fungus. Most medications are well tolerated with few side effects, Joseph says.