Fungal Toenails in the Toronto, ON Area
Fungal nails refer to any number of fungal nail infections that can occur on the foot. Since fungal toenails are usually more resistant and more difficult to treat than Athlete’s Foot, topical or oral antifungal medications may be prescribed. Note: Please consult a physician before taking any medications. Permanent nail removal is another possible form of treatment for tenacious fungal nails.
What are the Causes of Nail Fungus Infection?
Nail fungus infections typically originate from fungi, such as yeasts and molds. In most cases, the fungal infections are caused by a specific group of fungi called dermatophytes. These fungi can live in the layer of dead skin around your nails.
The infection can be a result of family history of susceptibility, increasing age, poor health conditions, nail trauma, climate (warm, moist), exposure to infected nails (sports/ fitness and communal bathing areas), and tight shoes.
Infected nails become discolored, thickened and brittle, and in some cases, can interfere with daily activities.
Lunula Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment
More patients and medical professionals are trusting Lunula laser therapy to effectively treat the symptoms of onychomycosis. Using cold lasers specifically designed to target toenail fungus, Lunula can effectively reduce foot fungus symptoms such as:
- Thickened toenails
- Nail discoloration
- Brittleness
- Shape distortion
Best of all, Lunula is both easy and safe to use. As with each of Erchonia’s low-level lasers, Lunula is held to the highest safety standards and has been tested in the strictest trial conditions for effectiveness and safety. Because the Lunula laser uses extremely low wavelengths and frequencies, most patients experience no discomfort, burning, searing or pain of any kind. Each onychomycosis laser treatment is performed while the patient is awake, reducing downtime and allowing users to go about the rest of their day effortlessly.
Experience the Erchonia advantage when you use innovative Lunula laser treatments to target toenail fungus, with benefits such as:
- No pain, risks or downtime
- No dangerous lasers or smoke fumes
- Unattended procedure while the patient is awake
- 89 percent patient response to treatments
- Made in the U.S.
Treatment for Nail Fungus Infection
The treatment of nail fungi is difficult. The infection lives under and inside of the nail and most treatments cannot effectively reach and destroy the infection. Now, laser technology is available to specifically target the fungi and provide patients new clear nail growth.
Treatment results are healthy dependent on patient compliance. It is important to follow your provider’s post-treatment protocol to minimize the chance of re-infection.
Preventing Fungal Toenail Infections
After a fungal toenail infection has cleared up it is important to take steps to prevent the infection from recurring. Keeping fungi at bay will help prevent a fungal infection of the skin from reinfecting the nail. Before bed, thoroughly wash and dry your feet, and apply a nonprescription anti-fungal cream to the entire foot from the ankle down. Use the cream every night, then gradually apply it less often. Keep your feet dry. Dry feet are less likely to become infected. Apply powder to your dry feet after you take a shower or bath.
Other suggestions for preventing Fungal Toenails include:
· Don’t share nail clippers or nail files with others.
· Don’t share shoes or socks with others.
· Try not to injure your nail, such as by cutting it too short .
· Wear dry cotton socks and change them two or three times a day if necessary.
· Wear dry shoes to allow circulation.
· Wear shower sandals or shower shoes when you are at a public pool or shower
Prevention
Follow basic foot care guidelines and, more than likely, you can head off most common foot fungus problems. For more information on Fungal Toenails in the Toronto, ON area call Walkrite Foot Clinic.
