When toenail fungus will not go away, it spoils the look of a pair of lovely feet. If you have this problem then read on, since this article contains information on how to rid the nails of nasty fungi and on restoring feet to their former beauty.
Identifying Toenail Fungus That Will Not Go Away
The first issue is to identify the source and extent of the toenail fungus problem. Here are some facts that may prove to be useful:
A Ringworm Infection
Toenail fungus is the common name for onychomycosis, which is actually a type of ringworm. This is a condition that can also affect the fingernails, and between six and eight percent of the adult population are affected.
Identifying Onychomycosis
A thickened nail is the first indication that it has been infected by fungus. The nail then turns white or yellow, black or green. The skin surrounding and underneath the nail may become inflamed and painful. The nail becomes brittle and breaks away in pieces until there is none of it left on the toe.
Infection and Environment
Toenail fungus is difficult to treat for a number of reasons. Fungi thrive in the warm and moist environment inside of socks and shoes. Often, the infection is embedded in thick and slow-growing nails, and may take a year or more to eradicate. Worse again, there are different kinds of onychomycosis. There are other conditions that mimic onychomycosis and will not respond to orthodox treatments.
Treating Toenail Fungus That Will Not Go Away
The worst news of all is that certain strains of onychomycosis have become resistant to treatments that were once effective. However, there is hope for those suffering from painful, unsightly and discolored nails. For instance, there is evidence to suggest that a diet high in carbohydrates may aggravate the condition. This makes sense since fungi thrive on sugars.
Orthodox Treatment for Toenail Fungus
Many practitioners prescribe a combination of oral medicine and a topical preparation for toenail fungus. However, such treatments tend to work over months, even a year or more. In all this time, the patient must pay strict attention to foot hygiene, washing the feet regularly with antibacterial soap. It is important that female patients do not use nail polish during this time, unless it is the antifungal type available from pharmacies.
Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus
For sufferers who wish to clear this unsightly condition more quickly, there is another option. Clear Toes Clinic has been effectively treating toenail fungus through laser treatment for a number of years. This treatment has advantages over orthodox treatments.
- Individual treatments are quick and painless, taking between 15 and 30 minutes per patient.
- The dermatophytes or cells of the fungi are killed by laser energy, so there is no resistance problem.
- The treatment over, the new nail appears within three to six months, so there is none of the waiting associated with orthodox treatments.
With all of these options available, there is no need to despair over toenail fungus that will not go away.
