Fungal Toenail(s)
Fungal Toenail(s)
Fungal toe nails are a common condition that can begin with a white or yellow spot on the nail. If untreated, the fungal infection gets deeper into and under the nail(s), causing discolouration, thickening and crumbling at the edge of the nail.
A fungal infection can affect multiple toenails at one time.
Proper and correct diagnosis by a podiatrist for fungal infection can result in the best avenue of treatment, which can range from topical application, surgical intervention, oral intake or chemical/ laser light therapy.
In certain circumstances your GP may require nail clippings be acquired and sent off to be cultured/ tested by a pathology lab.
Common Questions
Fungal toenails are discoloured and disfigured in appearance either showing with white on top of the nail or more commonly a deep yellow to dark brown colour under the nail. Often times, the presence of fungus can present with an odour or can also cause the nails to thicken.
Long-standing fungus of the toenails if left untreated can find it’s way to other areas of the feet or body as whole. Most common consequence of long-standing and untreated fungus of the nail is Tinea pedis. Tinea pedis also known as Athlete’s Foot is a fungal infection of the skin, causing redness, itching and flaking of the skin.
There a many reasons and factors someone can get toenail fungus. Moist and dark areas such as the inside of well-worn shoes that haven’t been aired out, nail salons where instruments haven’t been properly sterilised, sporting event’s where trauma to the nail creates an opening under the nail for fungal spores to get in, public swimming pools and rest rooms, poor hygienic private toilets and bathrooms, wet socks etc.
One of the hardest and common nail conditions to treat is toenail fungus. There are a range of topical medicinal The reason being is because most Over-The-Counter medications don’t penetrate well enough through the hard shell of the toenail.
A proven and effective way to get rid of fungal nails is a combined approach which includes;
Podiatry nail debridement
Application of topical anti-fungal medication
Erchonia Lunula Laser therapy.