Toenail Fungus
Toetal Podiatry
Podiatry & Foot and Ankle Surgery located in Financial District, New York, NY
Up to 8% of Americans have toenail fungus right now, and it’s becoming more common all the time. If your toenail looks discolored, misshapen, or otherwise unhealthy, it’s time to see the fungal nail specialists at Toetal Podiatry, located in the Financial District of Manhattan, New York City. Experienced podiatrists Yekaterina Grauer, DPM, and Vera Malezhik, DPM, offer laser therapy, topical treatments, medical grade nail restoration, and other options to kill the nail fungus and give you a great aesthetic result, too. Call the office or use the online booking tool now.
Toenail Fungus Q&A
What is toenail fungus?
Toenail fungus is an infection in the skin beneath your nail surface. Microscopic organisms called fungi invade your skin through the nail bed, and as they take hold, they cause dramatic changes in the nail plate.
What causes toenail fungus?
Fungi love moist and warm environments, so whenever your feet are in such an environment and you have any type of nail bed opening, you’re at-risk for toenail fungus.
You can create such an environment within your own shoes if you have very sweaty feet or if you wear damp socks and tight-fitting shoes. Another common way to get toenail fungus is by walking in public places like swimming pool decks without shoes.
Toenail fungus can affect anyone, but it’s especially common among older adults. This occurs because the nail starts to thin and dry out over the years, making it easy to develop tiny cracks for fungi to penetrate.
Anyone who has a weakened immune system and poor peripheral circulation, including diabetes sufferers, can be vulnerable to fungal infections.
What do fungal toenails look like?
Fungal toenails cause symptoms such as:
- White, yellow, or brown nail discoloration
- Nails that are ragged, flaky, or crumbly at the end
- Thickened nails
- Hard-to-trim toenails
- A change in your nail shape
- A foul odor coming from the nail
Symptoms usually get worse over time because the fungi can multiply below your nail plate. If you don’t address the fungus, it could easily spread to your nearby toenails. You can also spread the infection to your fingernails and skin if you pick your toenails and don’t wash your hands immediately.
How is toenail fungus treated?
The Toetal Podiatry doctors design a personalized toenail fungus treatment plan based on your history and needs. Some of the most common treatments include:
- Oral antifungal medications
- Laser nail treatments
- Manual debridement: Removal of the infected tissues
- Unique topical formulas
The Toetal Podiatry team understands that you don’t want ugly, crumbling, and embarrassing toenails, so they always strive to permanently destroy your nail fungus while giving you the best aesthetic results possible.
If you’re not a good candidate for oral antifungal drugs due to liver problems or other issues, or if those medications don’t work for you, the KeryFlex® nail restoration system could be the answer. With this system, your doctor can give you a brand-new, healthy looking nail that still allows your natural nail to grow out below it.
The Toetal Podiatry team understands how to beat toenail fungus, so get specialized help now by calling the office or scheduling online.