Fungal Nail Treatment That Works

What You Need To Know

Understanding toenail fungus and how our podiatrists treat it.

Understanding Toenail Fungus

Are you embarrassed to show your toes in public because your toenails are thick or discolored? Are these thicker nails causing pain in shoes when pressure is applied? Toenail thickening and discoloration can be caused by many things (psoriasis, injury, lichen planus) but is most commonly caused by Onychomycosis, a fungal infection which can worsen over time.

Onychomycosis, or toenail fungus, is one of the most common types of fungal infections to affect Americans. In fact, 25 million Americans suffer from this disease, and 1 in every 10 Americans deals with thick and ugly toenails. Though onychomycosis is not particularly painful, it can certainly be embarrassing and cause discomfort.

There are predisposing factors such as your general health, shoe type and materials, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), and poor hygiene that make you more likely to develop this infection. Just as you place bread dough in a warm, dark, moist environment for the yeast to flourish, your feet undergo these same conditions in shoes. Fungus is everywhere around us, so getting this type of infection may unfortunately be inevitable.

Perhaps you have only one ugly toenail now. In time, that may become two, and eventually all ten toes will look as ugly as the first unless you take action. Since many things can make your toenails look funky, an examination by a 1Foot 2Foot foot doctor is recommended. A thorough evaluation and simple nail culture or biopsy prior to any treatment can keep you from wasting time and money treating the wrong problem.

Our Fungal Nail Treatment Options

Our 1Foot 2Foot foot doctors in Suffolk, North Suffolk, and Hampton, VA, take a comprehensive approach to everything, and toenail fungus is no exception. Once your problem is identified, we will work with you to determine the safest and most effective treatment options. Generally, combination treatment (using two or more types of therapies simultaneously) provides the best result.

There are many medications and home remedies available for your toenails. Medicated nail polish, topical creams, sprays, and oral medication are all options, but the fungus condition is notorious for not responding to treatment. Topical medication is reportedly only 33% effective, since getting the medication under the nail to the source of the infection is difficult.

1Foot 2Foot is pleased to offer the first and only laser in Hampton Roads that has been FDA cleared for the treatment of toenail fungus. The PinPointe FootLaser uses a laser beam to go through the nail plate to eliminate the infection at its source. The treatment is virtually painless, can be done in the office without anesthesia, and is extremely effective for stubborn cases. Over 80% of patients treated with PinPointe have shown substantial improvement.

We also offer KeryFlex Nail Restoration, a painless in-office application that restores the appearance of natural nails damaged by fungus, defects, and trauma. Because fungal infections can recur (an estimated 35% recurrence), we have developed a maintenance program so your toenails can stay healthy and better looking long after treatment.