Nail Fungus
Toenail fungus (onychomycosis) is an infection where fungi invade the nail bed, causing a variety of issues.
Toenail fungus (onychomycosis) is an infection where fungi invade the nail bed, causing the nail to become thick, brittle, discolored (yellow, white, or brown), and misshapen.
Fungus thrives in warm, moist environments and is highly contagious in shared spaces like gym showers or pool decks.
We see nail fungus daily and understand the damper it can have on your confidence, and summer activities.
Diagnosing
To rule out nail dystrophy, we will take a sample clipping of your toenail to send for testing. This will allow us to effectively treat your nail symptoms with an oral medication, topical antifungal, or laser therapy.
Symptoms
All infections are different, but here are common symptoms we see:
Color Changes: Nails turn pale yellow, white, brown, or even dark and murky.
Thickness: The nail plate grows abnormally thick, making it difficult to trim and painful to wear tight shoes.
Brittle or Crumbling Edges: The edges of the nail become ragged, dry, and easily break away or crumble.
Distorted Shape: The nail may warp, curl, or become completely misshapen.
Lifting & Debris: The nail may separate or lift entirely from the nail bed, with chalky, cheese-like debris building up underneath.
Foul Odor: A distinct, unpleasant smell can come from the trapped fungal debris beneath the nail.
Treatment
Because toenail fungus lives under the nail plate, it is notoriously stubborn and can take 9 to 12 months to clear out. The sooner you see us, the better!
Prescription Oral Antifungals: We can prescribe medications like terbinafine (Lamisil) or itraconazole (Sporanox) which work systemically to clear the infection from the bloodstream.
Prescription Topical Treatments: Applied directly to the nail. Options include medical-grade lacquers or solutions like ciclopirox (Penlac) or efinaconazole (Jublia).
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Topicals: We dispense these for mild cases, and to strengthen the nail against reinfection.
Laser Therapy: We combine laser therapy with your oral or topical treatment plan to enhance your nail health against reinfection, and enhance your visible results.