Toenail fungus also known as onychomycosis is a common condition the world over. In the United States alone, it affects more than 30 million people. It is worth noting that this condition is not life threatening, but it can significantly distort the appearance of your toenails. As a result, you might find it difficult to walk around barefoot or even in open shoes.
As the name suggests toenail fungus is caused by fungi which as you might be aware are microorganisms that thrive in dark and moist environments. It is for this reason that attacks are more common on toenails than on fingernails. There are quite a number of factors that can significantly increase the risk of getting this condition including:
- Diabetes
- Conditions that compromise immunity and blood circulation
- Excessive sweating
- Damaged toenails
- Psoriasis
- Wearing tight shoes
If the following adjectives describe how your toe nails appear, then chances are that you have onychomycosis:
- Distorted
- Dark
- Yellowish
- Crumbly
- Lusterless
Treating Toenail Fungus
If you are suffering from onychomycosis, then you will be happy to know that the condition can be treated and completely cured. Different people use different therapies with the most common being anti-fungal topical creams and over-the-counter anti-fungal pills.
There are quite a number of anti-fungal creams that can be used to treat toenail fungus. In this case all you have to do is apply the cream on the affected area at least twice a day. The reality, however, is that this type of medication usually takes too long to get rid of the condition and more so if it severe. Pills, on the other hand, are more effective, but need to be taken with caution since they are known to have side effects. Some can even cause damage to the liver.
Home remedies can also be used to treat onychomycosis. Though they may not be as effective as conventional medicine, some of them do work, all the same. The following are some of the most popular:
- Orange oil
- Tea tree oil
- Garlic
- Vinegar
Killing Toenail Fungus Fast
If you are looking for a quick way of ridding your toes of fungus, then laser treatment for toenail fungus is the best option available today. Unlike pills which have to first work their way through the various systems in your body, toenail laser treatment kills fungus on the spot. Basically, how it works is that a beam of laser is hovered above the affected areas for a few minutes. Due to its high power, the beam kills every single fungus present.
Safety
Some people might not be too comfortable with the idea of having a high-power laser beam shone on any part of their body. There is, however, no need to worry because this type of treatment is totally safe provided it is performed by a professional. In Houston, Texas you need not look further than Clear Toes Clinic. Here, you will find a team of qualified experts who are more than ready to give your toes a cleaner, fresher start.
Quick and Painless
The treatment can take anything from 10 to 25 minutes depending on the severity of the condition. In addition to being safe, laser treatment is also pain-free. The most any patient should expect to feel is a warmish sensation as the laser is passed over the affected areas. Due to this fact, Clear Toes Clinic does not put its patients under any form of anesthesia (local or general).
Another notable advantage of onychomycosis laser treatment is that it is not accompanied by any side effects. After undergoing a session, you can continue with your day to day activities unperturbed. This is one of the main reasons why more and more people are opting for laser treatment.
Before treatment can commence at the clinic, you will be provided with very useful information on how you can keep your toes healthy after treatment. It is worth noting that out of all the onychomycosis treatment options available, laser treatment has the highest success rate. In one study, 95 out of 100 patients who underwent the treatment claimed to be satisfied with the results after a period of 3 to 12 months. So if you were wondering how to get rid of toenail fungus, now you know.