Fungal Nail Treatment That Works

What You Need To Know

Understanding toenail fungus, its symptoms, and how we diagnose and treat it.

Understanding Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus (onychomycosis) is a common problem that causes your nail to become discolored and thickened. The nail may also grow brittle and crumble at the edges. Toenail fungus usually isn’t painful, but you may experience pain if the infection worsens. Nail fungus is common, affecting as many as 10% of people all over the world.

Toenail fungus may begin as a tiny white or yellow spot beneath the tip of your nail. As the infection progresses, it may cause discoloration in your entire nail, ranging from white to yellow-brown. The nail may also thicken, become ragged at the edge, or distort in shape, and you may notice dark debris build up beneath it. Common symptoms include discoloration, brittleness, crumbling, thickening, and loosening.

Toenail fungus often begins as a fungal infection in the skin, commonly known as athlete’s foot. Predisposing factors include your general health, shoe type and materials, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), and poor hygiene. People of all ages can get toenail fungus, but it most often affects older adults, especially those with diabetes or poor circulation.

Because many things can make toenails look unusual, an examination by one of our foot doctors is recommended. A thorough evaluation and simple nail culture or biopsy before any treatment can keep you from wasting time and money treating the wrong problem. If you notice these symptoms, schedule a visit with Desert Foot and Ankle for an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to you.

Treatment Options and Prevention

We take a comprehensive approach to toenail fungus. Once your problem is identified, we work with you to determine the safest and most effective treatment options. Generally, combination treatment (using two or more types of therapies simultaneously) provides the best result. Conservative care includes careful debridement (trimming) of the nails, thinning of the nail plate with a specialized sanding device, prescription topical antifungal medication, and in some cases, prescription oral medication. We put patient safety and comfort first.

For stubborn cases, laser treatment offers a targeted option. Laser therapy uses light energy that passes through the toenail to target the underlying fungal infection without damaging the surrounding nail or skin. Treatment is typically painless, requires no anesthesia, and allows you to resume normal activities right away. In severe cases, a nail debridement or surgical removal of the infected nail may be recommended.

KeryFlex Nail Restoration is another option for the cosmetic appearance of damaged nails. This painless, in-office application uses a composite resin to create a flexible, durable, non-porous nail that allows the remaining natural nail to grow. It is unaffected by acetone, nail polishes, or detergents, and application is completed at a follow-up visit after an initial consultation.

To help prevent recurrence, inspect your nails and feet often, wear dry, clean socks, and use a quality talc-based powder in shoes. Avoid socks made of cotton or wool, which hold moisture. Because fungal infections can recur, ongoing maintenance visits with our team help keep your toenails healthy.