Fungal Nails
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail and can cause many people to be embarrassed of their feet as it can cause yellowing and thickening of the nails. When fungal nail is left untreated it can cause pain for the patient and in very severe cases the pressure caused by thickened nails can cause the nail bed to break down and ulcerate. It is therefore very important to treat Onychomycosis.
At Podi Footcare we can provide information on all treatment options available for fungal nail. One of the most successful treatments for fungal nail is Lunula laser treatment. The Lunula Laser has an 89% response rate and is the first laser to be FDA approved to treat onychomycosis. Lunula safely treats fungal nail in as little as four 12-minute treatments that are pain free and require no down-time.
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Fungal Nail Prevention
As with many things ‘prevention is better than cure’ therefore your podiatrist at Podi Footcare will advise you on how to prevent re-infection during and following your Lunula treatments.
To read more about Lunula please visit www.lunula.com or you can call or visit us in Podi Footcare.
As an alternative, your podiatrist can provide general maintenance and filing of the nails to improve their appearance in preparation for the patient to do their own at-home treatment with over-the-counter pharmacy preparations. We can advise you on which treatments would be best for the severity of the infection.
Symptoms of Fungal Nails
- Discoloration
One of the more obvious symptoms of fungal nails is nail discolouration. Fungal nails usually develop a yellow colour. This discolouration usually begins at the edge of the nail.
- Brittle Nails
A fungal nail infection will eventually make the nails brittle and flaky. Parts of the nail may also break off which can leave the skin around the nail swollen and painful.
Fungal Nail Treatments
Some of the fungal nail infection treatments include:
Pharmacy Treatments
Some of the pharmacy treatments we may recommend include anti-fungal nail creams. Anti-fungal creams can take up to 12 months to eliminate the infection. Unfortunately, anti-fungal ointments aren’t always successful.
The pharmacy also provides nail softening creams which helps soften the nail so the infection can be scraped off and removed.
GP Treatments
Depending on the severity of the infection we may recommend that patients visit a GP. A GP may prescribe anti-fungal medications.
Fungal Nail Prevention Tips
Fungal nail infections develop when feet are warm and damp. Therefore tight, sweaty shoes, worn for long periods of time may make a fungal infection more likely.
Some of the preventive steps we recommend include:
- Treat athletes foot as soon as it’s detected to avoid the infection spreading
- Keep your feet dry and clean
- In communal areas like changing rooms in a gym or pool we recommend wearing flip flops.
Fungal Nails FAQ
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How long does it take to get rid of a fungal nail infection?
Fungal nails can be cured with four 12-minute sessions using Lunula Laser treatment at our clinic. The Lunula Laser has an 89% response rate and is also pain-free and requires no down-time. We can discuss every treatment option available to you.
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Can I treat a fungal nail infection with over-the-counter treatments?
We can provide general maintenance and filing of nails before a patient begins using an over-the-counter treatment they purchased at a pharmacy. Our podiatrists can also advise you on which treatments would best serve your infection.
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What is the best treatment for fungal nails?
This depends on the nature of your fungal nail infection. Our team of fungal nail experts, access the nail and offer a customised treatment based on the progress of the infection.
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What Causes Nail Fungus?
Nail fungal is caused by fungal organisms. The most common fungi found in a fungal nail infection is called dermatophyte. However certain types of yeast and mould can also cause fungal nail infections.
The type of fungal nail infection the patient is suffering from will have a direct effect on the type of treatment advised. -
What happens if I don’t treat a fungal nail infection?
If fungal nails are left without being treated the symptoms of the infections will progressively become more severe.
A fungal nail infection in the foot, for example, may lead to difficulty in walking or performing manual tasks. A fungal nail infection on a person’s hands will affect day to day activities like typing.