Fungal Nail Treatment That Works

What You Need To Know

Understanding toenail fungus, why it happens, and how we treat it.

Understanding Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus (onychomycosis) is a common problem that causes your nail to become discolored and thickened. The nail may also grow brittle and crumble at the edges. Toenail fungus usually isn’t painful, but you may experience pain if the infection worsens. It thrives inside and around the nails of the feet and can affect one or more nails at a time.

Toenail fungus often begins as a fungal infection in the skin, commonly known as athlete’s foot. The fungus often starts under the nail fold at the end of the nail. Over time, it grows underneath the nail and causes yellow or brownish discoloration, along with thickening, brittleness, crumbling, and loosening. You may also notice dark debris build up beneath the nail or see the nail become ragged at the edge.

Nail fungus is common, affecting as many as 10% of people worldwide. People of all ages can get it, but it most often affects older adults because nails become dry and brittle with age. Excessive sweating, a history of athlete’s foot, diabetes, and poor circulation can all increase your risk.

Left untreated, a fungal infection may spread to other nails or to the skin and can lead to secondary problems like yeast or bacterial infections. If you notice discoloration, thickening, or crumbling of one or more toenails, schedule an evaluation with Bay Area Foot Care so we can confirm the diagnosis and start the right treatment for you.

Treatment Options and Prevention

Bay Area Foot Care provides a number of treatment options for patients experiencing fungal nail conditions. We realize that every patient is unique and that treatments can’t be one size fits all. Our physicians work to identify the best custom fungal nail soaks for each patient, compounded based on the type and severity of the infection.

Treatment for nail fungus includes careful debridement (trimming) of the nails, thinning of the nail plate with a specialized sanding device, prescription topical antifungal medication, and in some cases prescription oral medication. Some doctors prefer to simply remove the entire nail, but this is not part of our philosophy. We are conservative in our approach and put patient safety and comfort first.

For patients looking for an alternative to medications, we also offer laser treatment options. Laser therapy targets the fungal infection beneath the nail without harming surrounding tissue, and treatment is performed in the office without anesthesia. KeryFlex Nail Restoration is another in-office option that uses a composite resin to restore the appearance of damaged nails while the natural nail grows.

Prevention also matters. Inspect your nails and feet often, use clean instruments for cutting nails, wear dry clean socks, and use a talc-based powder in shoes if you have sweaty feet. With the right plan and consistent follow-up, schedule a visit with Bay Area Foot Care to start clearing your toenails today.