subject: What To Do With Your Fungal Toenail [print this page] If you or someone you know has ever experienced a fungal toenail, you are aware of how uncomfortable and unsightly they are. To get rid of a fungal toenail, your podiatrist can prescribe either oral or topical medications. If you have developed a fungal toenail, don't hesitate to talk to your Olney podiatrist as soon as you can to get treatment to correct the problem.
Causes Of Toenail Fungus
Fungi are microscopic organisms that can survive and function without sunlight. They tend to thrive in wet or warm environments such as swimming pools or showers. Once you develop fungus in your nail, it will thrive in the dark, wet environment in your shoes. The lower circulation of blood to your toes also makes it more difficult for your body to fight off the infection.
Not everyone has the same chance of developing a fungal nail. There are a variety of different factors that can contribute to fungal toenails. Here are a few of the most common ones:
*Walking barefoot in wet public areas. Walking around without shoes in public showers, gyms or swimming pools can increase your chances for developing a fungal nail, as fungus can survive and thrive in these environments.
*Poor shoes. If your shoes do not properly ventilate air or absorb moisture they can increase your chances of developing a fungal nail.
*Sweating heavily. If your feet are sweaty on a consistent basis, fungus will be more likely to survive in your toe. Working outside daily can contribute to this problem.
*Diabetes. If you have diabetes, the flow of blood to your toes is further restricted. Because of this, your body will be less able to fight off a fungal toenail infection.
Treatments For Toenail Fungus
Depending on how severe your fungal toenail infection is, there are a few different treatment options available for you. There are many different over the counter creams and ointments available, but these are generally less effective than prescription medication available from your podiatrist. He or she will be able to prescribe you an oral medication, topical cream or both. These medications work by helping a new nail grow into place without the infection, slowly replacing the infected part of your nail.
If these conservative treatments do not work, your podiatrist may need to perform surgery to remove all or part of your nail. This is usually seen as a last resort because you will have to wait for several months for your nail to fully grow back. Once the nail grows back, however, you will not be able to see any trace of your fungal nail.
To learn more about fungal toenails or to schedule an appointment or consultation, contact your podiatrist in Olney as soon as you can.
