Paramus / Wayne: (201) 989-0388
Clifton / Randolph: (973) 834-8853
Edison: (732) 314-7708
Montclair: (973) 834-8987

Nail Fungus

toenail fungus

Onychomycosis is the medical term for nail fungus. However, not all what would appear to be nail fungus is actually nail fungus. A good portion of the time, it may actually be nail trauma. Your physician will obtain an accurate history from you to see if it is the former or the latter.

If it is nail fungus, topical agents vs oral agents will be decided on. A caveat to the oral agents is that it may elevate liver enzymes, and if a patient drinks alcohol or has liver disease the oral agent may not be advised. If it is determined that the nail disease is more trauma, then a topical is prescribed, which is different from the topical antifungal. This topical thins out the nail so it grows clear.

Fungal Toenails (FAQs)

What are the symptoms of toenail fungus?
Fungal toenail infections can often be seen with the naked eye because they change the appearance of the toenail. If you have toenail fungus, the affected toenails may change in texture, becoming thickened, brittle, or crumbly. They can also become discolored, usually turning yellow, white, or brown. In more severe cases, the nail can become deformed, separate from the nail bed, and even emit a foul odor. In addition to being unsightly, toenail fungus can also cause pain, especially if infected nails rub against your shoes and socks.
Is toenail fungus contagious?
Toenail fungus is highly contagious. It can spread from one nail to the next, especially if left untreated. It can spread from an infected surface, like the floor of a public pool, to the nails. It can also spread from person to person through direct contact or sharing personal items like shoes, socks, or manicure tools.
What are the treatments for toenail fungus?
Toenail fungus can be treated with topical or oral antifungal medications. Topical medications are applied directly to the nail. They usually come in the form of a cream or nail polish. Oral antifungal medications are taken by mouth. Laser treatments for fungal nail infections are becoming an increasingly common treatment option. Laser treatments use a concentrated beam of light to kill the fungus beneath the nail. Your podiatrist may recommend doing multiple forms of treatment simultaneously to get better or faster results.
How long does it take for toenail fungus to go away?
Unfortunately, curing toenail fungus is a lengthy process. Not only will you have to wait for the treatment to kill the fungal infection - you will also have to wait for new, healthy toenails to grow out. This can take several months.

 

Advanced Podiatric Procedures & Services in Wayne, NJ 07470, Paramus, NJ 07652, Clifton, NJ 07012, Montclair, NJ 07042 and Edison, NJ 08817