How Is Toenail Fungus Treated in Ennis TX?

Award-Winning Podiatrists Deliver Exceptional Toenail Fungus Results

Have you noticed that your toenails have been getting discolored and thickening? You do not have to hide your toes anymore! Our foot and ankle specialist at Family Foot & Ankle Centers, can provide you with the most advanced treatments available for toenail fungus here at our Ennis location. 

Toenail fungus may not seem like a big deal to those with normal nails. But thick toenails can become painful and the infection in the nail can spread. Emotional effects resulting from this condition can cause significant impact on quality of life.

Causes

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the toenails that changes the way the nail grows. People most commonly affected by toenail fungus may have a family history of thick nails. Other factors include be elderly, poor health, and prior trauma to the toe, The fungus usually spreads from the bottom of the foot (Athlete’s foot) and invades the toenails. You may notice a white spot on the toenail that slowly spreads to the entire toenail. This causes increased thickness and discolored to the toenail. The fungus can also spread to other toenails and even fingernails.  

Diagnosis

As dystrophic/thickened toenails can be caused by numerous illnesses, to get a definitive diagnosis it is important to receive a small piece of the toenail and send it to the pathology lab. During the pathological examination, the presence of fungus as well as the identification of the type of fungus. Other conditions such as trauma and psoriasis that affect the toenails can mimic toenail fungus and require a different treatment.

Treatment Options

Treatment for fungal toenails can take months and the possibility of the fungus returning is relatively high. Anti-fungal medications can be taken as a pill or applied to the toenail. Typically, over the counter fungal medication is not strong enough to treat fungus toenails. 

• Oral antifungal medication: This type of treatment tends to clear the fungal infection quicker than topical medication. The capsule is taken daily for up to 3 months but it takes up to 12 months for full clearing of the nail. The most common oral medication prescribed is Lamisil (Terbinafine).
• Topical anti-fungal medication: These treatments are relatively safe and effective. Many patients prefer to apply a topical lacquer to the nail. Jublia and Kerydin are newer topical prescription medicines that are commonly prescribed. Depending on the type of nail infection, these medicines need to be applied for several months to fully clear the toenails
• Removal of the toenail: Depending on the severity of the toenail fungus and/or pain, removal of the toenail is an option to decrease pain and start off with a new fresh nail as we treat the toenail fungus. This procedure, removes all the fungus, so the nail can grow out correctly.  

How to Prevent Toenail fungus

There are significant precautions you can take to prevent and keep from recurrence of toenail fungus. This condition is usually presence with athlete’s foot, therefore, below to suggestions for both conditions to help reduce spread of the fungus.

• Avoiding walking barefoot combine with good foot hygiene
• Feet should be washed every day with soap and water and thoroughly dry, including between the toes
• Feet should be kept as dry as possible
• If your feet sweat a lot, you may need to change your socks during the day
• Your toenails should be cut straight across and avoid trimming the cuticles as this prevent your toenail from infection. Also, the nail clippers should be clean
• Remove nail polish regularly to allow the toenails to “breathe”. 

Diabetes and Toenail fungus

If you have diabetes, it may lead to serious complications associated with toenail fungus. Loss of sensation in diabetic patients may lead to increased trauma to the toenails without experiencing pain. Trying to trim thickened toenails may result in cutting the skin, leading to infection.  It is important for diabetic patients to get a thorough foot and ankle evaluation to prevent any further complications. Please to do not hesitate to contact our office for help!

Experience Our Award-Winning Care for Toenail Fungus in Ennis, TX, Today!

To experience our award-winning podiatry care, schedule an appointment today by calling us at 972-875-3668 or by clicking here to use our convenient online form. We offer same-day appointments and have bilingual Spanish-speaking professionals on staff. During your appointment, our team will be happy to answer all your questions about our treatments, our office, our flexible payment options, and anything else you may want to know about us! Call today – we can’t wait to help you live your life pain-free!

The foot doctors at Family Foot & Ankle Centers in Ennis, TX treat all foot and ankle problems. Our Podiatrists, Dr. Jeffrey Petty, Dr. Fernando Cruz, and Dr. Silpa Joy provide 5-star podiatry care to Ellis county and surrounding areas including Corsicana, Waxahachie, Lancaster, and Palmer, TX. The Podiatrists at Family Foot & Ankle Centers are improving lives one foot at a time. Return to a pain-free life and get back to the things you love!