Toenail fungus can make your nails turn yellow and thicken, so even if they aren’t painful, they can look very unsightly. Specialist podiatry clinic Dr. Simon Becker DPM can help by offering effective treatments for toenail fungus, including noninvasive laser therapy. If your toenails are looking in need of attention, call Dr. Simon Becker DPM to schedule an appointment at one of their conveniently placed branches in West Orange and Elmwood Park, New Jersey. Call today or use the online booking form.
request an appointmentToenail Fungus/Yellow Nails
What is toenail fungus?
Toenail fungus is an infection caused by fungal microorganisms. The fungus affects your toenails from the cuticle outwards, causing the nail to become yellow and thickened.
The most common cause of toenail fungus is an organism called onychomycosis, but several other strains can infect your toes. Fungus thrives in warm, dark, moist environments, so your feet are an ideal home and breeding site.
Toenail fungus is a common infection that you could pick up from any public place where you’re likely to go barefoot, such as the locker room at the swimming pool. Another way you might develop toenail fungus is if you have athlete’s foot and the infection spreads to your toenails.
Do I need to worry if I have toenail fungus?
Toenail fungus shouldn’t be a serious issue if you’re generally in good health, although the yellowing, thickened nails are unsightly. If you have a circulatory disorder or a condition like diabetes that affects blood flow to your feet, toenail fungus is more of a problem.
The issue is that because of reduced blood flow, you’re more at risk of picking up a bacterial infection as a complication of toenail fungus. The fungus damages the nails and soft tissues on your toes, allowing bacteria to get in, which could cause a serious infection.
Conditions such as psoriasis or vitamin deficiency can cause similar symptoms to toenail fungus, as can having flat feet or incurring an injury to your foot that affects the nails. Therefore, it’s important to visit Dr. Simon Becker DPM for expert diagnosis so that you can get the right treatment.
What treatments are available for toenail fungus?
Your podiatrist sends a sample of your toenail to the lab where they can test for toenail fungus or find another cause. The test results tell your podiatrist what strain of fungus you have so that they can prescribe the most effective medication.
Treatment options for toenail fungus at Dr. Simon Becker DPM include:
- Topical antifungal medication
- Oral antifungal medication
- Laser therapy
Laser therapy is an increasingly popular way to treat toenail fungus, as it is a simple, safe, and painless way to destroy the fungus. Your podiatrist directs the laser energy into the affected nails, where it kills the fungus without causing any harm to the surrounding tissues.
If you see your toenail yellowing or thickening, there’s a good chance it’s a fungal infection that’s easy to cure, so call Dr. Simon Becker DPM straight away, or book an appointment using the online tool.