What is Nail Fungus (Onychomycosis)?
The sinuses between the nail and toe are excellent places for mycetes to grow. When a microscopic fungus grows in that space, it causes Onychomycosis, or nail fungus. It can spread from contact. Nail fungus can cause the nail to become thick ,ragged and appear yellow, green, brown or black. An infected nail may separate from the nail bed. Nail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail.
What causes nail fungus?
Many Queenslanders are affected with toenail fungus. This is due to the warm humid environment.
In addition, fungus usually hides inside your shoes, as it’s dark and enclosed. With the combination of both elements, this creates the perfect environment for the fungi to thrive!
Listed below are some common situations that can also cause fungi to grow.
- Injury to the nail: acute or blunt trauma can cause a fungal infection. This could be when an infection occurs again and again; when you wear tight fitted shoes, for example. Or a blunt trauma can cause your nail to be more susceptible to an infection.
- Circulatory issues: Those with diabetes have a greater chance of developing an infection.
- Walking barefoot in public: try to avoid walking around barefoot when at a public swimming pool or in a public shower.
- Athlete’s Foot: Because this condition involves the same fungus, one can trigger the other.
- Wearing shoes without socks.
How do I know if I have fungal nails?
Displayed before our examples of toes that have been infected by fungus. The images range from mild, medium to extreme.
These toes need fungal nail treatment. If left untreated, the infection can grow to other toes and get more and more severe.
If you feel your toenails are heading in the direction of the images above, it’s better to act now rather than wait. The faster you act, the easier it is to reverse the infection.
How can I treat my fungal nails?
Here at the Foot, Ankle & Body Experts Health Clinic, we know there is no one size fits all solution. Everyone is different and everyone responds to treatments differently.
During your consultation, we will assess your fungal infection and create an action plan for their recovery.
Every recovery plan has one goal in mind, how to rid your nails of fungus as quickly and safely as possible!
Listed below are some of the services we use in the clinic.
Topical Solutions
Depending on the severity of the infection, a topical ointment may be enough.
At the Foot, Ankle & Body Experts Health Clinic. We stock a range of topical solutions that work with or without PACT therapy.
If we recommend an ointment, we will give you the directions of use of how often and how long you should use it for.
Total Nail Removal – (Total Nail Avulsion)
Sometimes a patients toenail fungus has been lived with for too long, or it covers so much of the nail, it is better to remove the nail and start again.
At the Foot & Ankle Experts, we have the facilities and the expertise to remove your toenail(s) safely, so the new nail can come out as good as new.
Destroying the fungus from all services.
During your appointment for fungal treatment, we recommend you bring your shoes to the clinic for an ultraviolet bath!
Our friendly receptionist will take your shoes and use our ultraviolet system to destroy all the bacteria in your shoes. This process takes about 20 minutes.
This is done so your shoes don’t reinfect your treated nails.
Advice on how to live free of Fungal nails
After all the hard work you have done to rid your nails of fungus, the last thing you want is for it to come back.
During your consultation, we will explain to you all the do’s and don’ts of upkeep for your nails.
What can I expect in my appointment?
During your initial appointment, our podiatrist will inspect and test your nails for the presence of a fungal infection. If confirmed, they will then walk you through the various treatment options that work best for your situation.
Your treatment plan will include:
- A week to week plan to rid your nails of fungi.
- Suggested products and tips that will boost and speed up your treatment.
- Knowledge on how to avoid getting fungal nails ever again.
- Access to our ultraviolet sterilization lights for your shoes, free of charge.
Sometimes a fungal infection is too far gone for any treatment. When this is the case, we will be honest with you. We don’t want you to waste your time and money.
When this is the case, total nail remove can be an option. It is the extreme option, but this will allow us to completely rid the nail of the fungal infection, and allow a new fungus free nail to grow.