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Home Tag: "foot fungus" (Page 4)

Tag: foot fungus

Laser therapy being used to treat fungal toenails in a podiatry clinic.
7Sep

Laser therapy being used to treat fungal toenails in a podiatry clinic.

Laser fungus treatment is effective with no risk of toxicity to the liver or side effects due to medication interaction.  There has been clinical evidence that laser treatment improves the condition of severe fungus toenail infections and clears the infection. Toenail fungus infections lie under the nail; this poses a challenge to get rid of the fungus using topical medications. Oral medications and antifungal nail polish are associated with harmful drug interactions and side effects because of persistent fungus infections. Home remedies also improve the condition for some time, then it reoccurs. The laser fungus treatment is known to penetrate through the nail to destroy the fungus without damaging the tissue around the nail.

Several studies conducted over the use of the laser to treat nail fungus have led manufacturers to improve their laser design to better their equipment and maximize the therapeutic effects.

Advantages of laser treatment for toenail fungus

  • The laser treatment cures different fungal infections
  • No anesthesia
  • The procedure is safe and painless, but some people feel a warm sensation
  • No side effects and no drugs are needed
  • No recovery time needed – you will walk out after the treatment
  • It takes about 20 minutes for a podiatrist to administer the treatment
  • The treatment does not harm the nail or the surrounding skin

How is the laser toenail treatment administered?

Studies have shown that laser toenail treatment has over a ninety percent success rate. These depend on the use of the latest generation laser equipment and how long the treatment is administered. To eradicate the fungus, it is a requirement that a patient attends repeat visits for over 3 months. The treatment takes 10-15 minutes to be administered, over a 30day interval for three months. This administration has proven to be very effective in healing even severe cases of fungal toenail infection.

Most cases have proven to improve with a single treatment. Even with laser treatment, it is essential to maintain proper post-treatment care to avoid the fungus attacking again.

How long after treatment does one notice the improvement of the toenails?

It depends on the origin of the infection, but as early as three weeks, one can notice the improvement of the nails. From then on, the improvement is gradual until the nail grows out. It takes 9-12 months for the toenails to grow out.

Is it safe to apply nail polish?

The day before the treatment, remove all nail decorations and nail polish. After the treatment, you can apply nail polish without fear of any side effects.

Laser fungal toenail treatment has several advantages over other treatments that have limited success rates. If you have questions about fungus in your toenails, you should reach out to a foot and ankle specialist. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment with our podiatrist. Our Houston foot specialist, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale, can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free on your feet.

Close-up of toenail fungus on big toe with thick, discolored nail.
26Apr

Close-up of toenail fungus on big toe with thick, discolored nail.

Toenail fungus is caused by mold or yeast, which affects the fingernails and toenails. Yeast infections occur on fingernails and it affects 3 to 12% of the population, but more prevalent in older people. Fungal nail infection causes the nails to be brittle and change color. Mild conditions might need self-care steps and treatment. If the nail fungus is painful and the nails have thickened, you will need medical attention.

Symptoms of toenail fungus

  • Brownish or whitish-yellow nail discolorations.
  • Thick and brittle and crumbly nails.
  • Change in the shape of the nail.
  • The affected part of the nail detaches from the nail bed.
  • Dark colors due to debris build under the nail.
  • Slightly smells foul.

Risk factors which leave one susceptible to foot fungus infections include:

  1. Athlete’s foot
  2. Contact with infectious fungi surfaces in saunas or swimming pools.
  3. Tight shoes
  4. Various skin conditions
  5. Damaged nails
  6. Poor circulation in the legs for people with diabetes or peripheral artery disease.
  7. A weak immune system due to sickness or medications that suppresses the system.
  8. Genetic predisposition
  9. Moisture for people who sweat heavily.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Fungal nail infections are treated depending on the severity and the type of fungus causing the condition. A podiatrist determines this by scraping off some of the affected areas and sending it to the lab. The doctor may prescribe antifungal drugs for application or taking orally. Sometimes a combination of topical antifungal therapies and oral therapies works best.

Looking for toe fungus treatment Houston? To get expert advice on foot and ankle issues, you may want to seek help from the best doctor for nail fungus in Houston. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment for your toenail fungus treatment. Our foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale will provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

  1. Oral antifungal drugs are usually the first choice because of their ability to clear infections quickly than topical drugs. The drugs help the nail to grow slowly replacing the infected nail. Usually administered for six to 12 weeks, though the results usually visible later, after the nail grows completely. Higher success rates are noticed in people less than 65 years of age.
    1. Side effects include skin rash and rare cases of liver damage. So multiple blood tests are administered to monitor how the drugs are working. These are not advisable for people with congestive heart failure or liver disease.
  2. A topical nail lacquer (Ciclopirox). It is a medicated nail polish which is prescribed by the doctor. The nails are painted once a day for seven days, then wipe the layers with alcohol and start afresh application. This is used for almost a year.
  3. Antifungal medicated cream rubbed into the nails after soaking. The creams are more effective on thin nails; the medication gets through the hard nail surface to the fungus. To thin the nails, apply a lotion containing urea or have a doctor thin the surface of the nail.
  4. Laser treatment which removes damaged areas of the skin or nail.
  5. In some cases, the doctor might recommend surgery for foot fungus removal.

Self-care

Use soap and water to wash the feet and dry using a clean towel, dry well between the toes. Keep the toenails shorter by trimming across and keep the ends shorter. Wash the tools you use on your feet and wipe them clean with rubbing alcohol. Avoid nail polish because it will cover the affected nails and avoid the fungus from going away.

Immediately you notice white markings, use over the counter antifungal creams. Thin and trim the nails to reduce pressure on the nails. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Houston, TX. Our foot fungus specialist can handle all of your foot and ankle issues. We will provide you with the latest diagnostic and treatment methods for all foot blister related issues.

Close-up of fungal infection on toe with dry, cracked skin and redness.
26Dec

The Athletes’ Foot is also known as tinea pedis, which is a type of fungal infection. In this, the skin of feet gets affected, toenails in particular. Though an athlete’s foot is not serious, it is often hard to cure for the ones suffering from diabetes or poor immune system. It is better to consult the doctor as you start noticing any problems in your feet. With plenty of options for diagnosis, it becomes easy to treat the problem at the earliest.

athletes foot

How foot fungal infection can be treated?

As ways of athlete’s foot treatment, there are plenty of options, and one of them is antifungal medications. Some are also recommended home treatment if doctors think so.

  • Home care

For dealing with foot fungus issues, home care is a suitable option to resolve it. In this, you have to soak feet in saltwater or dilute feet with vinegar. This helps to dry the blisters and reduce the chances of foot fungus. 

  • Alternative therapy for foot fungus

When diagnosed with fungus on feet, it requires suitable therapy that shall get rid of the problem soon. In this, it is suitable to use tea tree oil for better results. Studies are of the opinion that tea tree oil can effectively treat problems of foot fungus.

Preventions of Athletes’ Foot

Some tips can help prevent the occurrence of this fungal infection.

  • Try to keep your toes dry – Try to keep the space between toes dry and walk barefoot when you are at home. Also, after taking a shower, do not forget to dry the space between the toes. 
  • Change socks – With sweaty feet issues, it is a must to change socks regularly. For better results, you can change it twice a day. Thus, it will help avoid problems of fungal infection in your feet.
  • Protect feet in public – In public pools or showers, try to wear waterproof sandals to protect your feet.
  • Treat your feet – Try to use antifungal powder daily to keep your feet clean and free from fungus attack.   

Important facts to know about Athletes’ Foot

  • Athletes’ Foot can occur in any individual

There is a wrong notion that the infection is only common in Athletes. But it can occur to any person. However, the risk factors are having sweaty feet, keeping wet feet for a long time, wearing tight shoes or socks, sharing socks with other infected persons, and the like.

  • Diagnosed just by looking at it

Just by looking at the athlete’s foot, it is possible to understand. Some diagnoses are testing samples of infected skin, looking at the infected area in dark lightand viewing skin samples using a microscope.

  • Chance of infection spreading to other parts

Similar to the infected foot, the infection can also come up on hands. The fungus related can easily spread to nails. In addition, the fungus can also result in jock itch. It happens when you dry different body parts with an infected towel.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Cypress, TX. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.