Diagnosing Toenail Fungus
During an initial consultation, the podiatrist will examine the nails and ask questions about symptoms to determine if a fungal infection is present. Key signs they look for include:
Appearance Changes
Thickened, yellow, streaked or crumbly nails indicate fungal infection, especially if only one or some nails are affected.
Debris Accumulation
Build up of nail debris, white spots or oddly shaped toenails can signal an underlying infection.
Odor and Discomfort
Foul nail odor and pain or discomfort suggest a more advanced fungal case.
Risk Factors
A history of exposure to damp public areas like gyms or pools raises infection likelihood, as do conditions like diabetes or impaired circulation.
Once diagnosed, effective prescription treatments for toenail fungus involve:
Medicated Nail Polish
Topical antifungal polish containing ingredients like amorolfine or ciclopirox can be brushed onto affected nails 1 to 2 times per week. The polish adheres to and penetrates the nail slowly over 9 to 12 months to eliminate fungus.
Oral Medications
Oral prescription tablets like terbinafine or itraconazole act systemically to treat nail fungal infection from inside out when taken daily over 3 months. Blood draws may check for liver impact.
How Oral Medications Eliminate Fungal Infection:
- Medicine circulates to inhibit ergosterol fungal growth dependence
- Cutting off ergosterol starves fungus and blocks reproduction
- Over time infection dies off fully as treated nail grows out
Laser Therapy
Advanced podiatry offices may also offer laser treatments to penetrate nail bed and destroy embedded fungus using focused heat and light energy.
How Laser Device Eradicates Fungus:
- Precise laser beam targets fungal material living under nail
- Light energy generates micro bubbles that disrupt cell walls
- Destructive heat also applied to fungus to distort cells
- Killed infection gets cleared out by the body over time
Laser presents an efficient toenail fungus solution but can be costlier as treatments are rarely covered by medical insurance at present.
Additional Nail Care Support
To boost treatment efficacy, podiatrists also advise patients on best practices for ongoing nail hygiene and preventative care:
Topical Antifungals
Over-the-counter liquid antifungals with tolnaftate or undecylenic acid can supplement other treatment when brushed over nails daily.
Vinegar Soaks
A 5 minute daily soak in equal parts vinegar and water helps create an anti-fungal nail surface environment to discourage infection recurrence.
Trim Infected Nails
Carefully trim back infected nails straight across to reduce snags and breakage risk while eliminating excessive thickened debris.
Disinfect Footwear
Use anti-fungal shoe spray inside all footwear worn regularly and alternate different pairs daily to prevent reinfection.
Through this combination approach of professional care and daily hygiene, podiatrists can fully cure fungal nail infections in 6 to 12 months in most cases.
Home Remedies to Avoid
When treating toenail fungus, well-meaning patients sometimes try home hacks passed down through generations or shared online. However, podiatrists strongly advise against relying on the following ineffective remedies:
Vicks VapoRub
The eucalyptus, menthol and camphor within Vicks may temporarily mask nasty odor or sight of infected nails. But no clinical evidence shows the ointment kills fungus or alters infection progression.
Bleach
While strong chemicals like bleach discolor nails, they only damage healthy nail and skin rather than addressing the embedded fungal infection.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Although acetic acid has anti-fungal properties, studies confirm nail immersion offers no real curative benefit and may cause surrounding skin irritation.
Hydrogen Peroxide
A common misbelief is that bubbly hydrogen peroxide reactions mean fungal cells are being actively killed. In reality, the solution only damages superficial nail layers without impacting infection status.
With prescription strength medication, consistent nail care and some patience during the treatment period, toenail fungus can be fully arrested and cleared by a podiatrist without relying on home folk cures.
When to Seek Podiatry Care
Those experiencing any of the following signs of possible fungal toenail infection should arrange a podiatrist evaluation:
- Thickened, distorted, odd smelling toenails
- Yellow streaking, white spots or nail crumbling
- Toenail separated from nail bed
- Recurrent athletes foot or chronic toenail issues
- Pain, discomfort, oozing around nail
The sooner care begins, the more effectively podiatrists can resolve infection and minimize loss of healthy nail.
Using specialized expertise along with prescription medication not accessible to the public, podiatrists resolve troublesome toenail fungus to restore healthy, normal looking nails free of discomfort or embarrassment.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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