Recovering from Neck Pain

Get Help For Your Toenail Fungus By Visiting A Podiatrist

by Janet Burns

Toenail fungus can be an embarrassing thing to live with, but it is also something that is extremely difficult to get rid of. Many people will try numerous home remedies to eliminate the fungus, only to discover that the fungus is still there. If this sounds familiar, you may want to make an appointment with a podiatrist to see what he or she can do to help you eliminate the fungus once and for all.

What Causes Toenail Fungus?

Toenail fungus is something that begins growing in a toenail long before you can ever see it. It is caused by fungi that get under the toenail, and people often get this by walking with bare feet inside locker rooms.

As the fungus begins to grow, it slowly takes over a toenail and can spread to others if it is not treated. You will realize you have this when you notice that your toenail:

  • Looks different than it did before
  • Is starting to thicken
  • Is changing colors and getting darker
  • Has a bad smell

There are numerous at-home remedies you can try if you have this, but you may discover that nothing works. A podiatrist may be able to help you though, and there are several common treatment options used for treating toenail fungus.

How Is It Treated?

The way a podiatrist, like Newsom Russell Dr, treats your case of toenail fungus often depends on the severity of it. As with most health problems, early detection makes fixing the problem easier. If you can get help for the fungus right away, you may have better luck eliminating it. If you wait, it will grow and become harder to get rid of.

Here are the common ways this is treated:

  • Topical medication – This medication is placed directly on the infected toe, and you might have to do this twice each day for several months. It takes time to kill the fungus, and it often requires waiting for the toenail to grow out.
  • Debridement of nail – If the fungus is severe, the doctor might recommend removing the nail. After that, you may have to treat the toe with medication for several weeks or months.
  • Laser toenail fungus removal – This is a newer method available for removing fungus on a toenail, but this method is generally not covered by insurance companies. It involves using a laser to kill the infection and fungus in the nail.

There is really no instant method for getting rid of toenail fungus, but one of these methods may help you eliminate it over time. If you would like to learn more about this, make an appointment with a podiatrist clinic today.

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