Unmasking Fungal Nails: Your Guide to Understanding and Treating Onychomycosis
Blog, Fungal Nails, General Podiatry
Hello there, reader! Have you ever noticed a discoloured, thickened, or crumbly toenail on your feet and wondered what it could be? Well, it's time we shed some light on a common condition that affects many people - fungal nails, also known as onychomycosis. Don't let the fancy name scare you; we're here to break it down in simple terms.
Fungal nails are caused by, you guessed it, a fungal infection! These pesky infections can occur on both your fingernails and toenails. As A Step Ahead is here to conquer foot ails, we will stick to toenails today. They’re characterised by yellow or brown discolouration, thickening of the nails, and sometimes, but not all times, even a foul odour. Sounds unpleasant, right?
Now, you might be thinking, "I'm clean; I wash between my toes like Mum told me regularly, so I don't have to worry about this, right?" Welllllll, there's more to it than that.
There's a common misconception that poor hygiene is the cause of fungal nails. But here's the truth: fungal infections are highly contagious and can affect anyone. Yes, anyone! You can catch these infections from bathrooms, nail salons, or even through contact with contaminated surfaces even if you followed Mum's sage-like advice.
Another myth we often hear is that home remedies, such as tea tree oil, Vicks VapoRub, or vinegar, can effectively treat fungal nails. It sounds easy and convenient, doesn't it? However, the science behind these claims is limited. Creams, lotions, and paints often fail to penetrate the hard nail surface, making them less effective than we'd like them to be. What a shame; imagine the side hustle Vicks could have developed in summertime.
So, what does work? Let's introduce you to a reliable and effective solution – thermal medical-grade laser treatment. This modern approach involves passing a beam of laser light over the infected area, heating the inside of the nail and the tissue underneath. The heat effectively kills both the fungus and its spores or eggs. What's more, it's safe, has minimal discomfort, some would say painless and takes approximately 45-60 minutes to treat all ten toenails. Sounds like a win-win situation, doesn't it?
But remember this: early treatment is key to a successful outcome. The longer you delay treatment, the higher the chance of the infection spreading and becoming more difficult to treat. It's crucial to seek treatment from qualified professionals who can provide a comprehensive approach to treating fungal nails.
The work doesn't stop once the fungus is treated. Proper aftercare is SUPER important to prevent reinfection. This includes taking care of the surrounding skin, your shoes, socks, and even the shower. And, when it comes to pedicures at nail salons, make sure to visit reputable nail technicians who follow proper sterilisation procedures. It’s a good idea to ask one of our foot Doctors, all qualified Podiatrists, what that might look like.
To sum it up, fungal nails are an unpleasant but common condition caused by a fungal infection. Despite the myths and misconceptions surrounding it, effective treatment is available in the form of medical-grade thermal laser therapy. Remember, early intervention and proper aftercare are essential to prevent further complications.
So, if you notice any signs of a fungal nail infection, give one of our super helpful team a call on 96732987. They'd LOVE to help. Our team have helped oodles of people just like you. They will chat with you to find out what's going on with your feet. Then, they will be able to suggest the best treatment options available to you. From there, they can help you find a time that suits you best and will make an appointment to see one of our highly qualified foot doctors.
Let's spread awareness, not fungus! Keep you and your nails happy, healthy and happy.
Fungal Nail Calculator
You may also like to try our Fungal Nail Calculator. This is the first Fungal Nail calculator in the world and will help guide you to potential treatment protocols.
Use this guide to help guide you to understand better the level of infection that you may have present and give helpful suggestions as to what the best therapies maybe.
Head to fungalnaildr.com.au
ABOUT DR BRENDEN BROWN
Founder of A Step Ahead Foot + Ankle Care in Sydney, and former president of the Australasian Podiatry Council, Dr Brenden Brown (A.K.A Dr Foot) is a wealth of knowledge on how to take care of your feet, including how to find the best shoes.
Follow him on social media:
instagram.com/askdrfoot
facebook.com/podiatristsydney
twitter.com/AStepAheadFAC
Free Report “10 things to know before choosing a Podiatrist”
Choosing your Sydney foot doctor is an important decision and can mean the difference between getting mediocre results and living pain-free. Learn about the top 10 things you should know when choosing your podiatrist in St Marys or Penrith.
Shameless Plug or where to get real help!
Need help? Need another opinion? Just want to get this sorted? Great, we'd love to help you ? You can start by calling our wonderfully helpful team on 9673 2987. They are all parents and will be able to help answer questions and guide you in the right direction.
Another option is to use our call back service, pop your details in the very short form and we will call YOU back on a number and times that suits YOU best. ?