Nail Fungus Treatment
If you’re experiencing thick, yellowing toenails, you’re likely suffering from a nail fungus. Nail fungus is an unpleasant yet essentially harmless condition that can occur in the nails of both the hands and feet, but is more likely to appear in the toes.
The dermatology specialists at IDI help people overcome a variety of conditions that attack the skin and nails. If you struggle with toenail fungus or any condition that causes brittle, discolored nails or nail loss, please contact the team at IDI for a full consultation.
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What is Nail Fungus?
Nail fungus, clinically known as onychomycosis, is a condition that occurs in roughly 10 percent of the population. In the majority of cases, it is an infection caused by a fungus group called dermatophytes. This fungus attaches to the keratin in nails, causing the following symptoms:
- Brittleness
- Debris buildup
- Distortion
- Nail thickness
- Yellowing or white discoloration
Toenail fungus can become established due to numerous factors, but the most common include:
- Having athlete’s foot
- Experiencing an injury to the toenail
- Wearing poorly fitting, cramped shoes
- Certain health conditions, including diabetes or a compromised immune response
While the condition can cause significant pain and discomfort, it is not considered a dangerous issue in an otherwise healthy individual. However, people with poor circulation due to diabetes may experience additional infections and complications.
Although nail fungus can attack the fingernails, it is much less common.
Diagnosis Process
Your doctor will visually examine the nails and possibly take debris samples from underneath the nails to confirm the presence of a certain category of fungus. Your doctor might also perform a physical examination and test for medical conditions that could be contributing to the condition.
Treatment Options
The most effective treatment for nail fungus is oral antifungal medications. The patient is generally prescribed a course of treatment of approximately three months, but fungal infections won’t clear up completely until the entire nail has regrown.
There are also topical antifungal treatments that might yield positive outcomes for patients with relatively mild infections.
Severe, long-standing nail fungus might be addressed surgically by removing the toenails. This helps to ensure the antifungal medication reaches the infection.
At IDI, we are committed to giving patients the tools and resources they need to address skin and nail conditions successfully. If you’re experiencing persistent nail fungus or another issue causing damage to your nails, please contact the team at IDI for an appointment today.
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