Toenail Fungus
Many of us experience changes in toenails and we may think that they are related to fungal infection.
It is medically known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium.
At Laser Concept Therapy, we have answers to your questions like how to treat toenail fungus or can toenail fungus make your toe hurt?
Let us remove your doubts about laser treatment for toenail fungus.
How to know if you have toenail fungus? Here are some symptoms:
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Discoloured nail;
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Out of shape nail?
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Thicker than usual;
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Splitting and forming irregular bumps?
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Have become brittle, crumbly and ragged?
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Sore, are they causing pain?
Are your answers to these questions are YES,
then you may have a TOENAIL FUNGUS.
What is the source of toenail fungus?
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Dermatophytes & Onychomycosis (tinea capitis), are present everywhere in the human environment;
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Swimming pools, public showers, gyms and sauna parlors can all be sources of infection;
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Age, genetic factors and poor hygienic health can increase the chance of contracting a nail fungus.
How does the nasty fungus develop?
Usually, nail fungus takes time to develop. Therefore, sometimes it is hard to notice any change. A nail fungus occurs from overgrowth of fungi in and around your nails. Fungus thrives in warm and moist environment.
It can develop to the point where it is very unsightly and bothersome to people, both those that have it and those that have to look at it. The fungi is rarely seen in the finger nails however it can occur there as well. The area involved is usually the nail, nail bed and surrounding tissue.
The risks of this disease increases with age and is as follows - 15-20% of those between the age of 40-60 years, 32% of those aged 60-70 and 48% of those 70 years of age and older.
Evidence shows that the prevalence rate of onychomycosis is increasing and is often found in conjunction with Psoriasis, Atopic dermatitis, nail trauma and contact dermatitis and oral lichen planus.
Fungi already present on you can also cause these infections. Sometimes, it is contagious too, meaning, if you come in contact with a person who has an infection, chances of it spreading to you is higher than you think.
“I do pedicures all the time. I won’t have nail fungus issues or toenail infection” – this statement isn’t true.
Pedicures at salons and spas can cause fungal nail infections when the tools aren’t disinfected & sanitized too often. Emery boards, nail clippers, cuticle removers, etc., can spread this infection, especially if someone else is infected, if not sanitized.
Who is more at risk to get toenail fungus?
There are many causes of developing a toenail fungus. But some people are more prone. You are more likely to develop a toenail infection, if you:
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Have sugar issues, diabetes;
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Poor circulation;
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Are over 65 years of age;
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Use artificial nails with glue;
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Are a regular swimmer at public pools;
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Have a nail injury;
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Have bruised skin around you toenails;
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Have moist toes for longer period of times;
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Wear closed shoes or boots;
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Wear no socks in closed shoes or boots.
Closed shoes provide a warm environment for fungi
Does it recover on its own?
A toenail infected with fungi does not recover on its own, unless one takes care of it. There are possibilities of severe complications to arise if a nail fungus is ignored for a long time. Especially in winters, when one usually wears closed shoes – a playground for fungi growth.
Complications due to a nail fungus can inflict severe pain and sometimes also causes permanent damage to your nails. As these fungi have a higher chance of spreading, it can go beyond your feet if you have a medical condition, diabetes or other health issues.
How do I get rid of a toenail fungus?
There are several toenail fungus treatments available.
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Topical medicines
They have a limited efficiency.
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Pills
Side effects from pills are higher as well as they aren’t as effective as required.
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Laser treatment & its benefits
The newest and latest treatment has been the use of “laser treatment” which has had a much higher success rate without any of the side effects of the drug treatments used in the past. This involves a specific wavelenght laser light and is almost painless. Treatments take about
30-40 minutes to do both feet and once completed it involves not only regular cleanliness of your feet but also a matter of waiting until the once infected nail grows out and is replaced by new and uninfected nails.
The toenail fungus laser treatment works by using laser light. It passes through the nail and the surrounding tissue and is absorbed by pigment in the fungi. This causes the pigment to heat up, and the heat kills or damages the fungal organism. Your toenail will not fall off as a result of this treatment. It can take at least 3 months for your clear nail to begin to emerge and 6 to 12 months for the entire nail to grow out.
There is absolutely no down time and the patient can resume normal activities right after the treatment, which is done in the office. Both the doctor and the patient are required to wear special glasses during the time the laser is running and doing its work.
Normally several treatments are required however there are times depending on the severity and the resilience of the disease that additional treatments are necessary.
Is there a way to prevent a toenail fungus from recurring?
It is possible for a fungal nail infection to return as a new infection or as regrowth from the original fungi. Everyone has to maintain hygiene tips to prevent recurring toenail infections:
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Always wear dry socks and change them every day. If you sweat more than usual, change them twice a day or wear sweat absorbing socks;
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Do not injure your nail with cuticle removers;
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Stop cutting your nails very short with the inside skin showing;
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Want to get a pedicure? Ensure that the salon uses sterile instruments;
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Stop smoking. Why? Because it causes irregular blood circulation and essentially weakens your immune system;
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Give up on often use of nail polish and artificial nails;
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Choose good material shoes that absorbs sweat and can breathe;
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Get rid of your old shoes and/or treat shoes with disinfectants or antifungal powders.
