About 1 in 10 Americans has toenail fungus. Toenail fungus usually responds to conservative treatment, but if you have diabetes, it may increase your risk of infection or more serious issues. At Greenwood Foot Clinic, board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon Mark Lazar, DPM, and podiatrist and foot surgeon Stephen Tentler, DPM, and the team, provide minimally invasive treatments for toenail fungus. To make an appointment, call the office in Greenwood or Martinsville, Indiana, or book online today.
Toenail fungus occurs when onychomycosis––a type of fungus––infiltrates your nail tissue. At first, the fungus appears as a small white dot, but as it spreads, your nails change color, thicken, and crumble.
Toenail fungus usually isn’t something to worry about. However, if you have diabetes or another medical condition that affects circulation to your feet, it may increase your risk of more serious issues like gangrene.
Toenail fungus causes your nails to become:
As the fungus spreads, you might also notice that your shoes and socks have a foul odor.
Several factors may increase your risk of developing toenail fungus, including:
You’re also more likely to experience toenail fungus if you walk barefoot in public areas, like locker rooms, saunas, or swimming pools.
The team at Greenwood Foot Clinic diagnoses toenail fungus during an in-office visit.
Your provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when your nails started changing color and if they’re thicker or more brittle than usual. Next, your provider examines your toes and toenails.
During the exam, your provider collects some nail clippings and sends them to a podiatry lab. Techs at the lab then analyze the clippings to determine the type of fungal infection. After your provider receives the results of your test, they develop a custom treatment plan.
Treatment of toenail fungus depends on several factors, including the type of fungus causing the infection, the severity of your symptoms, and if you have any underlying medical conditions, like diabetes. The team at Greenwood Foot Clinic might recommend:
The goal of treatment is to stop the infection from spreading and encourage the growth of healthy nail tissue.
To receive treatment for toenail fungus, make an appointment at Greenwood Foot Clinic by calling the office or booking online today.