Any time that a person has one or more toenails affected by toenail fungus, it is very distressing. This condition is often called onychomycosis by medical doctors. Toenail fungus makes the affected nail become deformed and discolored and the nail may eventually separate from the nailbed. There are several types of fungal organisms that will infect the toenails and destroy them.
Identifying Alternaria Toenail Fungus
It can be rather difficult for a doctor to identify exactly which fungus is responsible for a particular infection unless the doctor takes a specimen and cultures it in the lab. When a sample is taken of the affected toenail, it can easily be contaminated by fungi that may be present naturally in the lab and therefore the results may be inaccurate.
Medical Treatment for Alternaria Alternata Toenail Infection
The most common fungus that causes toenail infections is Trichophyton rubrum. Alternaria alternata is another organism that is known to cause a toenail infection and it is often treated by using itraconazole pulse therapy. Medical doctors will treat an Alternaria toenail fungus infections with a combination of potent antifungal medications that are taken orally as well as with topical ointments.
In many cases, the topical ointments do not penetrate into the thickened nailbed unless the nail is filed down. The oral medication terbinafine may be prescribed for a period or at least four months. Unfortunately, these powerful antifungal agents may cause very unpleasant side effects.
How Does Alternaria Alternata Toenail Infection Spread?
Alternaria alternata infections can easily be spread from human to human. In some cases, those who contract an Alternaria alternata infection are in good health, but it can be particularly damaging to those who have a weakened immune system. An Alternaria infection can affect other areas of the skin in addition to infecting the toenails. The environment of the toenails is ideal for the Alternaria organisms as they are kept in a dark, moist, and warm atmosphere when the person is wearing shoes. Shoes create ideal conditions for the growth of these micro-organisms.
Laser Therapy for Alternaria Alternata Toenail Fungus
There is now a new type of treatment available for those who are suffering from Alternaria alternata toenail fungus infections. This new treatment consists of a laser that delivers a powerful burst of energy for a very brief period of time to the toenail. The energy of the laser will vaporize the nail and the fungus. This treatment is painless and very effective. In most cases, only one session of laser therapy is required.
Patients who have been suffering with Alternaria Toenail Fungus are pleased to see how quickly and thoroughly the infection is eliminated when the laser therapy is used.
You can learn more about the laser method of eradicating toenail fungus when you visit http://www.cleartoesclinic.com.
