What Is The Root Cause Of Toenail Fungus

Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus

At Weil Foot & Ankle Institute, we understand that many of our patients come through our doors experiencing discomfort due to toenail fungus. We are dedicated to providing our patients with the industrys leading and highest quality treatment options. We offer two patented, state-of-the-art laser treatments for toenail fungus removal.

Lunula Laser

The Erchonia Lunula Laser device is a Low-Level Laser Light that is specifically designed for treating toenail fungus. This laser uses a unique dual-diode approach to target the root causes of fungal infection and improve the bodys natural defense mechanisms. A so-called cold laser, this treatment does not cause any sensation of heat, is FDA approved, and has a proven track record of successful fungus treatment.

PinPointe FootLaser®

The PinPointe FootLaser® is a carefully designed device that uses a laser beam to go through the nail plate to eliminate the infection that causes nail deformity at its source. The laser heats and kills the germs causing the fungus without harming healthy tissue. The treatment is virtually painless, can be done in the office without anesthesia, and is extremely effective for stubborn nail fungus cases. Over 80% of patients treated with PinPointe have shown substantial improvement and most fungal nails are completely cured!

Toenail fungus is of greater concern if you have diabetes, poor circulation, or another condition which inhibits your bodys ability to fight infection.

Dermatophytes: A Common Cause Of Toenail Fungus

Your toenails are composed of 80% hard keratin and 20% soft keratin. Keratin is also in your skin and hair. Dermatophytes, the fungi that usually cause onychomycosis, feed on keratin to grow and multiply.

Dermatophytes love warm, moist environments, including:

• Public pools
• Saunas
• Locker rooms

Onychomycosis is highly contagious, so its easy to catch. When dermatophytes find their way to your feet as a result of exposure to sweat, public showers, or steam rooms, the dermatophytes consume the keratin in your nails by breaking it down into smaller particles. The crumbly residue on your infected toenails is actually keratin debris.

You can also get toenail fungus as a result of being more susceptible to foot problems, especially if youre diabetic, have circulation problems, or you have a weakened immune system. These other conditions, including chronic skin problems like psoriasis, often lead to toenail fungus if your feet are exposed to it, or you dont keep your feet cool and dry after swimming or going to the gym.

Podiatry Located In Davis Ca Carmichael Ca & Sacramento Ca

Toenail fungus is a common problem that affects 12% of all Americans. While many people are embarrassed about the appearance of their infected toenails, they also have reason to worry about an untreated infection spreading. Sacramento Foot and Ankle Center in Davis, Carmichael and Sacramento, California, offers quick and highly effective treatment using the advanced PinPointe laser. To learn more about laser treatment for toenail fungus, schedule an appointment online, or call one of the offices today.

• Request Appt

Recommended Reading: What Spice Helps Toenail Fungus

How Can I Prevent Toenail Fungus

Theres no way to guarantee that you wont get toenail fungus. But you can take several steps to help prevent it:

• Avoid going barefoot in communal areas such as hotel rooms / showers, public showers, locker rooms and swimming pools. Most people pick up fungus in these situations. It helps to wear flip flops in these public areas.
• If you have a family member with foot fungus or nail fungus, try to use different shower or wear flip flops in the shower to avoid coming in contact with it.
• Trauma due to accidental or aggressive clipping of the nails can turn into portals of entry for the fungus.
• Clean your nail trimmer before using it.
• Do not tear or rip your toenails on purpose.
• If you have diabetes, follow all foot care recommendations from your healthcare provider.
• Keep your feet dry. Make sure to fully dry your feet after a shower.
• Soak toenails in warm water before cutting them. Or you can cut your nails after a shower or bath.
• Trim toenails straight across .
• Wear shoes that fit correctly. They should not be too loose or tight around the toes.

Is Toenail Fungus Really Such A Problem

If youre thinking you can just live with it, we dont advise letting toenail fungus go untreated. Its an insidious problem, and without treatment, you have to deal with the discomfort of the nail as well as feeling self-conscious about its unsightliness.

If you let a nail fungus infection go for too long, several problems emerge. The infected nail can become misshapen and increasingly separated from your nail bed. Itching and pain are unpleasant side effects if theyre too severe, you can have trouble wearing shoes or walking.

You need to be especially attentive to treating toenail fungus if your immune system is compromised. If youre living with diabetes, its critical not to ignore the fungus. Even a mild infection like this can snowball into something more serious, like cellulitis, a severe bacterial skin infection.

Another problem is that untreated fungus eventually can spread to either neighboring toenails or to the skin of your foot, causing athletes foot. Possibly the worst outcome of untreated nail fungus is needing to have your nail surgically removed.

Don’t Miss: What Is The Medicine For Nail Fungus

Top 5 Homeopathic Toenail Fungus Treatments Review

There is a wide variety of products for Onychomycosis or nail fungus treatment offered today, and they vary from those totally ineffective to highly effective products. It can therefore be difficult to choose the best among all those treatments. Here is a review of the best homeopathic toenail fungus treatment available today. These top 5

Also Check: How To Cure Fungus On Feet Naturally

Baking Soda For Toenail Fungus

Baking soda is a celebrated solution for nail fungus. It is easily available in almost every house, and you only need to cleanse your feet with the baking soda.

The baking soda is a reliable home remedy as there are no hurting disadvantages of baking soda on nail fungus.

The baking soda can be used in different ways. Each way to use baking soda for nail fungus is effective as long as you are consistent in using it.

Using baking soda as a treatment for nail fungus will take longer than you have expected it may take as long as six months.

Ways to use baking soda for nail fungus

• Using baking soda with water. You can make a diluted solution of baking soda and apply it on your infected nail to treat nail fungus.
• Make a foot soak of baking soda, water, and shampoo. Add a tablespoon of baking soda in a tablespoon of shampoo, and two liters of water. Soak your Feet twice a day for 15 to 30 minutes.
• Using baking soda with apple cider vinegar is also an effective remedy. You need a cup of apple cider vinegar for it and dilute it with triple amount of water. it is required for those who have sensitive skin, now add three teaspoons of baking soda in it and soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes in its daily.
• You can also use the baking soda with boric acid. You need a three teaspoon of boric acid, two teaspoon of baking soda, and a liter of water to prepare this foot soak.

Pros of using baking soda as a toenail fungus remedy

• It is Anti-inflammatory.

Also Check: How To Treat Hair Fungus

How Do I Know If I Have A Fungal Nail Infection

Because other infections can affect the nail and mimic symptoms of a fungal nail infection, the only way to confirm a diagnosis is to see a doctor. Theyll take a scraping of the nail and look under a microscope for signs of fungus.

In some cases, your doctor may send the sample to a lab for analysis and identification.

Over-the-counter products arent usually recommended to treat nail infections since they dont provide reliable results. Instead, your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication, such as:

• terbinafine

Which Laser Therapy Device Is Best

We swear by our non-thermal cold laser device in treating toenail fungus in our practice. Its called Lunula Laser and its made by Erchonia. Its the first of its kind and the only non-thermal cold laser device to get FDA market clearance to treat onychomycosis.

This is likely thanks to its three successful clinical trials that ensure safety and effectiveness.

Whats so special about this laser? Besides the fact that its safe and effective, we love that it uses a low-level laser wavelength. Thanks to this type of cold laser, theres no discomfort or searing heat pain during treatment like with some of the other laser devices. The treatment also encompasses your entire foot. It requires no operator, so man-made errors are eliminated unlike with other lasers on the market.

The laser doesnt emit smoke fumes and 89% of patients have a positive response to the treatment.

Also, we love that this device is made in the United States.

Also Check: How Successful Is Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus

What To Eat For Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus or any other type of foot fungus is unpleasant and treating such conditions can take a long time. As a way of internally fighting the fungal infection, you can change your diet by eating foods that can fight the bad bacteria. Such foods have antifungal properties, and in addition to that, they boost your immune system so that it can protect your body against such infections. Foods you can eat to fight toenail fungus are garlic, yogurt, fruits and vegetables, cayenne pepper, pumpkin seeds, ginger, grass-fed beef, salmon, and coconut oil.

Fruits and vegetables with antifungal properties include spinach, broccoli, cucumber, white peaches, tomatoes, bananas, parsnips, rutabagas, dates, brown pears, onions, turnips, and white nectarines. Coconut oil is a potent antifungal that contains lauric acid and caprylic acid which help in fighting fungus overgrowth. As for yogurt, it is a probiotic which aids the presence of good bacteria, controls pH balance and kills of candida cells. Other foods with probiotics you can include in your diet are organic, raw sauerkraut, kefir and kombucha. Garlic and pumpkin seed are a hub of anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacteria properties, which are essential in fighting microorganisms affecting your health negatively. Grass-fed beef, pumpkin seeds, and salmon contain omega-3 fatty acids, which contain anti-inflammatory properties which will help heal your body.

Toenail Fungus Treatment And Cure

Various procedures and cures may be used to treat toenail fungus. Usually, the choice of the treatment depends on various factors, including severity and nature of the infection and whether previous treatments have failed to cure it.

The usual initial treatment may involve the use of over the counter or prescription toenail fungal medications. Another way of getting rid of a fungus toenail entails softening and scraping it.

However, severe cases of toenail fungus may require other medical interventions and cures such as laser therapy or complete removal the toenail. These procedures may also be used when other methods have failed to heal a fungal toenail infection.

Your doctor will always advise you on the best toenail fungus cure for you because there is no general best toenail fungus treatment. Rather, the appropriate treatment is done on the case by case basis.

1. Use of Toenail Fungus Medication

The common toenail fungus medications include both antifungal oral tablets and topical paint applications.

a) Antifungal Tablets

Antifungal tablets are taken orally once or twice per day for several months. Failure to complete your dosage may cause the infection to recur. The most common and best toenail fungus medications include:

The antifungal medications for toenail infection may cause some side effects, the common ones being headache, itching and diarrhea, rashes on body and loss sense of taste.

b) Antifungal Nail Paint or Polish

2. Softening and Scraping Away the Toenail

You May Like: How To Kill Toe Fungus With Apple Cider Vinegar

What Are The Potential Complications Of Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus rarely results in serious complications in people who are otherwise healthy. However, many people find the look of toenail fungus embarrassing. People with diabetes, circulation problems, or weakened immune systems have a higher risk of complications. The main one being cellulitisa bacterial infection of the surrounding skin.

Left untreated, toenail fungus can spread to other nails. It can also progress to nail thickening and detachment. This can make walking or wearing shoes painful. Untreated toenail fungus can lead to permanent nail damage as well. Even after successful treatment, severe infections can leave nails with enduring changes. Recurrence is also common. As with most other conditions, seeking early treatment when symptoms are mild usually results in the best outcome. Once treatment is over, talk with your doctor and ask about ways to reduce the risk of toenail fungus returning.

How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus

You can easily get rid of a fungal toenail infection with home remedies, especially if you detect it in early stages before it becomes serious. However, in some cases, your doctor may use other treatments and cures, including fungal medicines and toenail removal, to get rid of toenail fungus. The common effective home remedies and best treatments for toenail fungus are highlighted in the next sections.

You May Like: What Gets Rid Of Fingernail Fungus

Why You Should Never Let Toenail Fungus Go Untreated

Have you retired those adorable strappy sandals, even though theyre the perfect complement to your summery outfits? They definitely wont work with whats going on with your toenails so youve had to opt for a closed-toe option. Toenail fungus is definitely not a good look.

There are plenty of home remedies, but they dont seem to work. And nail fungus doesnt just go away on its own. Fortunately, the team at Easton Dermatology Associates can address any nail fungus issue you may have with a diverse menu of treatment options. We customize our approach to your particular infections history and severity.

Keratin Treatment For Nail Fungus

• What kills toenail fungus the fastest?

What kills toenail fungus the fastest? Oral antifungal drugs. These drugs are often the first choice because they clear the infection more quickly than do topical drugs. Options include terbinafine and itraconazole . These drugs help a new nail grow free of infection, slowly replacing the infected part.14 juil.

What is the most effective OTC treatment for toenail fungus? Lamisil Terbinafine Antifungal Cream treats fungus all over the body, including athletes foot, making it the best overall choice. The Fungi Nail Anti-Fungal Ointment is infused with five oils and makes for a budget-friendly option.

What is the strongest over-the-counter toenail fungus medicine? Terbinafine for toenail fungus treatment The best pill for toenail fungus is terbinafine. Evidence suggests it works better than the alternatives with the fewest side effects. Terbinafine results in resolution of toenail fungus 76% of the time. Common side effects may include headaches, skin rash, and vomiting.

You May Like: How To Cure Toe Fungus

Toenail Fungus Treatment Complications

Here are some things to think about when deciding on a nail fungus treatment.

If you have a disease like diabetes, your doctor will make sure you treat nail fungus. This illness often makes you more likely to have other problems from minor foot issues.

You may not be able to take antifungal pills because of side effects or because they donât work well with other drugs you take. If thats the case, try a product that goes onto your nail. Your doctor will call this a topical treatment.

Be patient. Your nails may not look normal after treatment. It can take as long as a year to 18 months for your nail to grow out a fungus.

Wear Shoes In Communal Pools Or Showers

While youre probably not frequenting many communal showers, public pools or hot tubs at the moment, for the future its important to note that these are breeding grounds for fungus. So if you visit these communal spaces, wear flip-flops or other waterproof shoes to protect your feet and avoid contact with spots contaminated with fungus, according to Cleveland Clinic.

You May Like: Is Toenail Fungus Contagious In Bed

Symptoms Of Fungal Nail Infection

The first signs of a fungal nail infection are usually perceptible changes to the appearance of the infected nail. It is uncommon for an infected nail to cause severe pain or permanent disfigurement, but this does occur in some cases. If left untreated, fungal nail infections can cause difficulties with walking, exercising or manual tasks such as typing. The main symptoms of onychomycosis include the nail becoming:

• Brittle
• Lifted away from the nail bed
• Mildly painful

These symptoms could also indicate that an individual is suffering from nail psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune skin disease which can affect the skin under the nail. Nail psoriasis is more common in the fingernails than the toenails and can co-occur with fungal infections of the nail. If you think you may be experiencing the first signs of nail psoriasis or a fungal nail infection, get a free symptom assessment by downloading the Ada app.

Good to know:In people with diabetes, fungal toenail infections can increase the likelihood of developing ulceration and other complications, so medical attention should always be sought if a fungal nail infection is suspected.

When Should I Call The Doctor

In rare cases, toenail fungus can cause an infection called cellulitis. Without prompt treatment, cellulitis may pose a serious danger to your health.

You should seek treatment guidance from a trusted healthcare provider if you have:

• Circulation problems.
• Redness, pain or pus near the toenail.
• Weakened immune system.

Read Also: What Kind Of Vinegar Is Best For Toenail Fungus