Best Toenail Fungus Treatments Available in Hicksville, NY

You might not give your toenails much thought unless something goes wrong, except when painting and trimming them. But if you don’t keep them clean and dry, you can develop toenail fungus. A fungal infection can result in thick, discolored, brittle, and even painful toenails.

Onychomycosis, a fungal nail infection, is unsightly, but it won’t help to conceal it and hope it goes away on its own. There are several treatments to get rid of toenail fungus in Hicksville, NY, each with its own pros and cons. Here’s what you need to know.

Causes and Symptoms of Toenail Fungus

Yeast is a frequent cause of fungal nail infections, which are typically brought on by fungi known as dermatophytes that infiltrate the skin beneath the nail. When your bare feet come into touch with moist areas like swimming pools, communal showers, and locker rooms, your toenails are particularly susceptible to infection. Your nails may also become infected if you have athlete’s feet.

If your socks and/or shoes are wet from sweat or heat and you wear them for long periods of time, it might further increase your risk of infection. Additionally, shoes that are too tight may cause pressure on your toes, damaging the nail bed and increasing the risk of infection.

The symptoms of toenail fungus may not be apparent at first and may appear gradually over time. Indications can include:

Discoloration at the nail’s top that is yellowish
Clouding or darkening of the nails
White spots
Thickening of the nails
Distorted nails
Crumbling or brittle nails
Absence of shine
Toe pain at the tips
Bad smell
Chipped nails at the nail bed

Instead of attempting to cure it yourself, it is advisable to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician or a Hicksville podiatrist if your symptoms are severe and painful, or your toenail turns brown or black.

Best Over-the-Counter Toenail Fungus Treatments

Certain toenail treatments that are available without a prescription from a doctor may be effective.

Antifungals: You can try antifungal lotions and creams from your neighborhood pharmacy. Although they are inexpensive, they frequently lack the strength to eradicate the fungus. An infection treated in this manner may occasionally go away for a while before returning. You’ll have to try something else if that occurs.
Mentholated Salve: According to certain studies, a mentholated salve helps eradicate a fungal infection. Apply a tiny bit to the nail each day.
Snakeroot Extract: A naturally occurring antifungal, snakeroot belongs to the sunflower family. It performs as good as a prescription antifungal cream for certain people.
Tea Tree Oil: You might try using this oil twice a day on your afflicted nail because it is a natural antibacterial. Tea tree oil can be poisonous, so never use it orally. The effectiveness of this treatment is still unknown.
Vinegar or Listerine: To dry out the afflicted nails, some people suggest soaking them in vinegar or Listerine for five minutes each day.

Prescription Drugs for Fungal Toenails

See a podiatrist or dermatologist if your fungus doesn’t go away at home. To remove some of the fungus, they could carefully scrape under your nail or send it to a lab for analysis. They are also able to prescribe stronger medications.

Your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream or solution to apply topically to your nail or nail lacquer to apply to the nail’s surface if you have a minor infection. First, you should wet the region and clip your nail. This may facilitate the drug’s ability to target the fungus’s deepest layers.

Some topical drugs that work to get rid of nail fungus include:

Efinaconazole
Terbinafine
Ciclopirox
Tavaborole
Naftifine

Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus

It’s essential to realize that a fungal infection of the toenails won’t go away by itself. It needs to be handled medically. Additionally, you are contagious and can infect others with the fungus until it is effectively treated. Direct touch is one way to spread the fungus, but indirect contact is another.

Medications, such as oral antibiotics that target the fungus under the nails, were utilized in the past. But they had negative side effects.

Today, there is a new choice. Without the need for topical medications or lengthy antibiotic regimens, laser therapy for toenail fungus provides a painless means of targeting the infection’s core.

Non-invasive laser therapy kills the fungus under the nail by focusing concentrated light on it. It is a quick, painless, and efficient technique that doesn’t require medicine and has no negative side effects.

The fungus beneath the nail is heated by the laser’s heat as it passes through it. The heat kills the fungus without harming the surrounding tissue or skin. Over time, the therapy encourages healthy nail development in a precise and safe manner. For the best results, though, you could require several sessions.

Some common non-invasive laser treatments include:

Nd:YAG Laser Therapy

Nd:YAG laser therapy is used for deep tissue penetration, making it highly effective in treating conditions such as plantar warts and vascular-related foot issues. This targeted approach provides precision while minimizing discomfort, making it ideal for patients looking for a non-invasive treatment option.

Deep Tissue Laser Therapy

Designed to address deeper tissue concerns, deep tissue laser therapy is particularly beneficial for conditions like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. The laser penetrates the surface layers of the foot, helping to reduce pain and inflammation, facilitating faster recovery and improved mobility.

Class 2 Laser Therapy

For more superficial foot concerns, Class 2 laser therapy is an excellent option. This treatment is ideal for minor skin injuries or nail bed healing, stimulating the body’s natural repair processes and promoting quick recovery without the need for invasive interventions.

Low-Level Laser Therapy

Low-level laser therapy is known for its ability to stimulate cellular repair in the feet. This is especially helpful for patients with neuropathy or chronic heel pain, encouraging the body’s natural healing processes and reducing pain over time.

High-Power Laser Therapy

For conditions like sprains or Achilles tendon injuries, high-power laser therapy targets deeper foot tissues to accelerate the healing process. This therapy is designed to reduce recovery time and improve overall healing by stimulating blood flow and cellular repair.

Conclusion

Despite how annoying toenail fungus might be, there are numerous ways to treat it. However, patience will be required. Antifungal medications, which are prescribed for toenail fungus, provide good outcomes and may hasten the removal of the illness. Natural remedies and over-the-counter drugs might be effective options too. However, these can take longer to work and are typically less effective.

The best treatment for toenail fungus remains non-invasive laser therapy. If you want more information about the therapy, don’t hesitate to contact Restore Podiatry.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I treat toenail fungus with home remedies?

For toenail fungus infections to be successfully treated, meticulous care is frequently necessary. Home remedies like using eucalyptus and tea tree oils can outperform various topical antifungal medications that are prescribed and available over the counter. Applying sunflower oil is also effective in treating a yeast-induced toenail fungus infection.

2. When should you consult a physician for toenail fungus?

See your podiatrist if at-home treatment fails to alleviate your symptoms. They might suggest an oral antifungal pill that you take for 2-3 months, or a topical drug with prescription strength. If the fungus is too deep-seated, they may suggest non-invasive laser therapy.

3. How to Prevent Toenail Fungus?

To maintain the health of your toenails, adhere to the following tips:

After swimming, properly wash and dry your feet with soap and water.
In public spaces like locker rooms, wear shower shoes.
Put on shoes that fit properly and are composed of materials that breathe.
As soon as you can, take off your wet or damp shoes or socks and pat your feet dry.
Clean your nails with pedicure supplies and nail clippers.
Make sure your salon uses the right disinfection techniques if you have a pedicure, and when you go home, wash and pat dry your feet.
Polishing diseased nails is not advisable.

4. Can Toenail Fungus Be Scraped Out?

No. The infection won’t go away even if you can scrape a little bit off the top of or under your nails.

5. Will my nail be removed if I have toenail fungus?

Your doctor might decide to remove the infected nail if no other therapies work or if you’re in a lot of discomfort. This permits the growth of a new, healthy nail, which may take over a year. The doctor will either remove the nail surgically or by applying a powerful chemical.