Onychomycosis is a stubborn fungal infection that affects toenails, including the nail bed, plate, or matrix. Common culprits are dermatophytes like trichophyton rubrum, trichophyton mentagrophytes, and candida albicans. There are various types of onychomycosis, such as superficial white, proximal subungual, distal and lateral subungual, and total dystrophic. Traditional treatments include topical, oral, mechanical, and chemical therapies. Topical treatments often fail because they cannot penetrate the nail plate. Oral antifungals carry risks of liver and kidney toxicity and drug interactions. A promising alternative is laser therapy. Laser therapy is especially valuable for diabetic and elderly patients, in addition to those with liver or kidney issues. If you have stubborn toenail fungus, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for advanced treatment.

Laser treatment can be an effective way to get rid of toenail fungus. If you have any questions about laser treatment, consult with Vivian C. Iwu, DPM from Choice Podiatry Center. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment for fungal nails.

What Are Toenail Fungal Infections?

Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail, is a relatively common and non-serious condition. Around 10 percent of U.S. citizens are afflicted with fungal nails. Common forms of fungus that infect the nail include dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds.

Symptoms of Toenail Fungal Infections Include:

• Nail thickening
• Brittleness of the nail
• Discoloration of the nail

Diagnosis for Fungal Nails

Fungal infections are diagnosed by fungal culture and microscopy. This will rule out any other conditions such as nail trauma, psoriasis, lichen planus, and onychogryphosis.

What Is Laser Treatment?

Laser treatment is a non-invasive, safe, quick, and painless procedure that uses the heat from a laser to kill fungus in the nail. Each infected nail is targeted with a laser for several minutes. The treatment is usually utilized several different times over a select period. During this time, a podiatrist will keep an eye on the infection.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Marietta, GA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.