Toenail fungus is more common than many people realize, affecting millions of people each year. Nail fungus can be uncomfortable sightly and is sometimes associated with other health problems. Fungal nail infections can also occur for several different reasons. Ill-fitting shoes, walking barefoot in damp areas, foot injuries, or even old age can increase the risk of developing nail fungus. People with diabetes are also at a greater risk of fungal nail infections and should be more vigilant against infections.
Fortunately, there are also several highly effective anti-fungal nail treatments to cure all varieties of infections. Some of the best fungal nail treatment options are at-home remedies that do not require major procedures. Having a fungal nail infection is never a good thing, but they are almost always curable. Here are some of the best fungal nail treatments available to you.
Fungal Nails Treatment Options
Antifungal Nail Cream
One of the most common forms of fungal nail treatment is antifungal nail creams and ointments. Your doctor can prescribe an antifungal cream, which is administered to the infected nail(s). The procedure for antifungal creams is straightforward: after soaking, you rub the cream onto your nails. Your doctor may also recommend thinning your nails to help make this treatment option easier.
Antifungal creams work best when your nails are thin, allowing the cream to penetrate the nail’s surface more easily. Your doctor can do this for you, or you can use a non-prescription lotion to thin the nail.
Antifungal Medication
Oral medication is also available to treat fungal nail infections. Most doctors will prescribe these drugs first before pursuing other treatment options. However, in some cases, certain antifungal drugs can cause side effects or complications when paired with other forms of medication. In these instances, alternative treatments are usually recommended. Patients who also suffer from liver or heart disease, for example, are advised to seek other treatment options.
However, for many people, oral medication is a simple and effective fungal nail treatment option. Results can take anywhere from six to 12 weeks but are usually highly effective once a new, healthy nail grows in.
Antifungal Nail Polish
You may think of nail polish as a strictly cosmetic product, but it can also have medical applications. An antifungal nail polish called ciclopirox is available to treat infections. This treatment option works slowly and requires daily applications. However, it is effective, straightforward, and usually free of serious potential side effects.
To use this product, patients apply a new layer of antifungal polish each day. After a week, the infected nail is cleaned with alcohol, and a new layer of polish is added.
Fungal Nail Treatment Procedures
If at-home fungal nail treatment does not work for you or is not an option, several other procedures are available. Diablo Foot and Ankle offers the following fungal nail treatment procedures:
Clear Nail Treatment
With Clear Nail Treatment, a small drill makes tiny holes in the infected nail. This procedure is used in combination with antifungal creams. The tiny holes in your nail enable your prescribed cream to fight your fungal infection more easily. Results are usually very quick, and the procedure itself is fast, simple, and pain-free.
Genesis Plus Laser Treatment
The most advanced method for fighting fungal nail infections is the Genesis Plus Laser Treatment. In this procedure, one of our specialists uses a laser system to attack the fungus directly. This process works by heating the fungus under your nail, thereby killing it. There is no damage to the skin during this process, and patients feel only a mild warming sensation during the procedure. GenesisPlus Treatment usually requires about three sessions to fully remove the fungal infection.
To discuss fungal nail treatment options with a Diablo Foot and Ankle specialist, request a consultation today.
Common Podiatry Questions
What is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle.
What does a Podiatrist treat?
A podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the feet. They can treat conditions such as ingrown toenails, fungal toenails, bunions, hammertoes, and plantar fasciitis.
What’s the difference between a Podiatrist and Orthopedist?
A Podiatrist and Orthopedist are very similar to each other in many ways. They use most of the same tools and treat a lot of the same conditions. The main difference between the two is their medical training. Podiatrists are trained exclusively on the foot and ankle, whereas the Orthopedic is trained on the whole body with an additional year of training on the foot and ankle.
Where are your Podiatry clinics located?
At Diablo Foot & Ankle, we treat our foot and ankle patients in two main clinic locations in Walnut Creek and in Antioch California. Dr. Eman Elmi and Dr. Shayan Esspoor are Board Certified Podiatrists who specialize in the treatment of foot and ankle disorders.
