Podiatrist - Fairfax
9918 Main St
Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 273-9818
Our Blog
Posts for tag: Toenail Fungus
Preventing & Eliminating Fungal Toenails
Also known as onychomycosis, toenail fungus can be painful, irritating and embarrassing. When there is trauma to the nail, the nail bed is lifted allowing fungus to penetrate and invade the nail bed. Without treatment, the fungus can grow and spread in dark, warm, moist environments, such as socks and shoes.
Common signs and symptoms of toenail fungus include:
- Discoloring or yellowing of the nail
- Thickening or crumbling of the nail
- Swelling around the nail
- Disfigured nails
- Streaks or spots down the side of the nail
- Foul-smelling debris under the nail
- Pain and discomfort
- Complete nail loss
Prevention is key
Fungal infections can affect the fingernails as well as the toenails, but toenail fungus is more difficult to treat because toenails grow more slowly. Because removal of the fungus is challenging, prevention plays an important role in treatment.
- Keep nails neatly trimmed
- Practice good foot hygiene, including daily washing with soap and water; drying feet and toes carefully; and changing shoes regularly
- Always wear shoes in public areas, such as showers, locker rooms and pools
- Wear comfortable shoes that aren't too tight
- Avoid nail polish which can seal in fungus
Treatment of toenail fungus
If you do develop toenail fungus, especially if the infection becomes painful, visit Family Foot and Ankle Center. People with a chronic illness like diabetes should always see a podiatrist if they notice changes in their nails as it may be an indication of more serious problems.
To eliminate the fungus, a podiatrist may remove as much of the infected nail as possible by trimming, filing or dissolving it. Oral or topical antifungal medications may also be prescribed to treat the infection. Only for severe, chronic infections will surgical removal of the nail be recommended. Our Fairfax office can help diagnose the cause of your toenail problems and make the best recommendation for treatment.
Archive:
Tags
- Athlete's Foot (1)
- Bone Spur (1)
- Bunions (2)
- Corns and Calluses (1)
- Diabetic (1)
- Flat Feet (1)
- Running (1)
- Foot Odor (1)
- Growing Pains (1)
- Hammertoes (1)
- Ingrown Toenails (1)
- Metatarsalgia (1)
- Morton's Neuroma (1)
- PinPointe FootLaser (1)
- Plantar Fasciitis (1)
- Plantar Warts (1)
- Pregnancy (1)
- Healthy Feet (1)
- Shin Splints (1)
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (1)
- Toenail Fungus (1)
- Footwear (1)
- Foot Health (3)
- Summer Feet (1)
- Cracked Heels (1)
- Weightloss (1)
- Baby Feet (1)
- Aching Feet (1)
- Achilles Tendonitis (1)
- Ankle Sprains (1)
- Shockwave Therapy (1)
- Foot Scanners (1)
- Gait Analysis (1)
- Sports Podiatrist (1)
- Achilles Tendon (1)
- Marathon Training (1)
- Childrens Feet (1)
- Childrens Foot doctor (1)
- Childrens podiatrist (1)
- pediatric podiatrist (1)
- Stress Fractures (1)
- Foot Stretches (1)
- Choosing Athletic Shoes (1)
- Weak Ankles (1)
- Ankle Instability (1)
- Stiff Ankles (1)
- Feet (1)
- Back Pain (1)
- Biomechanics (1)
- Turf Toe (1)
- Running and Your Feet (1)
- Maintaining Healthy Feet (1)
- foot surgery and recovery (1)
Categories:
 |
 |
 |