It can be easy to get a nail infection, and if you’ve ever had one you know how stubborn they can be and how easily they can spread to other nails. Fungal nail infections, medically known as onychomycosis, are infections caused by fungi that can affect either the fingernails or the toenails and can develop in, under, or on the nail.

Fungi are tiny and can only be seen with microscopes. While fungi are everywhere and sometimes can live on your skin without trouble, an overabundance of fungus can lead to infection.

Symptoms

Often developing slowly over time, it can be awhile before the patient notices any severe symptoms. Fungal infections of the nail can vary on the type of fungi and where the infection begins, but overall the symptoms are the same for most cases. More often than not fungal nail infections develop on toenails, as socks can make your feet warm, moist, and the ideal environment for fungi to grow. The infection can spread to other nails and even onto the skin.
Common symptoms include:

• Distortion of the nail (lifting, curling, or loosening from the nail bed)
• Pain may not be present at first but will develop over time as the infection progresses untreated
• Debris build up underneath the nail
• Discoloration of part of the nail, typically yellow, brown, white, and/or green
• Thickening or thinning of the nail
• The nail may become brittle, crumble, or split

Risk factors

Nail fungus is common and can affect anyone at any age, though it is often rare for children under the age of six to develop fungal nail infections. Living in humid climates can increase a person’s risk of developing an infection. The following instances may increase your risk of developing fungal nail infections:

• Wearing tight footwear that can crowd toes and keep them warm and moist
• Frequent trauma to nails
• Frequent exposure to communal areas that are damp, wet, moist, humid, or warm such as spas, locker rooms, public restrooms, showers, and gyms.
• A history of diseases or medical conditions that can lead to weakened immune systems, poor circulation, athlete’s foot, or chronic illness.

Treatment

An examination of the nail, nearby skin and a sample of debris found under the nail can help a podiatrist determine if you have a fungal infection. Once a fungal infection has been determined, treatment can begin. However, it is important to note that treatments vary depending on the nature and severity of the infection.

Treatment for minor cases involves medication, whether topical creams or oral antifungals, that will need to be taken for months either daily or weekly. It is important to take your medication as prescribed to eliminate infection and prevent it from returning.

For more moderate cases, we offer laser treatment for patients diagnosed with fungal nail infections. Laser therapy is a fast, painless, and effective treatment method with no recovery period of side effects.

The laser energy penetrates through the nail and soft tissue heating up the fungal cells, destroying them, and eliminating the infection. The heat energy also sterilizes the area to prevent new fungal growth. There is no pain associated with this treatment, though some patients do report a slight warming sensation.

Each session is about 10-20 minutes long. The number of treatment sessions necessary will be determined during your consultation. The average treatment plan consists of 3-6 sessions but will depend on the severity of infection and patient’s health.

Though the laser kills the infection, it cannot reverse damage to your nail. Instead, as your new healthy nail grows out, the damage will slowly disappear. It is important to note it can take 6 to 12 months for the nail to grow out completely. We will monitor your nail’s growth to ensure treatment is successful.

Prevention

After treatment, it is important to use preventative measures to avoid the infection from returning. Some good preventative measures include:

• Wash your hands and feet often with soap and water. Be sure to dry them thoroughly.
• Trim your fingernails or toenails straight across and avoid having them longer than the skin. Wear socks that absorb moisture. If you struggle with having sweaty feet, change your socks often. Allow your shoes to dry out for a minimum of 24 hours before wearing them again.
• Antifungal powder or spray can help to keep your shoes clean.
• Check your nails constantly for any changes in color or texture.

If you have any questions regarding fungal nail infections or if you suspect you may be suffering from an infection, please contact Paragon Podiatry today.