Unmasking Fungal Nails: Your Guide to Understanding and Treating Onychomycosis

Unmasking Fungal Nails: Your Guide to Understanding and Treating Onychomycosis

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.

Thermal Laser - Unmasking Fungal Nails: Your Guide to Understanding and Treating Onychomycosis

Thermal Laser - Unmasking Fungal Nails: Your Guide to Understanding and Treating Onychomycosis

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

Dr Brenden Brown, Podiatrist & Shendi Brown

Dr Brenden Brown, Podiatrist & Shendi 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

Ten-things-to-know-before-choosing-a-podiatrist

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. ?

Got Diabetes? Take fungal nail infection seriously

Got Diabetes? Take fungal nail infection seriously

There are many reasons why people with diabetes must take fungal nail infection seriously and check their feet every day – foot fungus (onychomycosis) is one of them. Uncontrolled diabetes can damage the body’s nerves. Injured nerves in the legs and feet mean that you might not feel pain, heat or wound development – leaving you more susceptible to fungal nail infection.

High blood sugar levels can also increase the growth of fungi in the skin and nails.

As with most things, early detection is key. The signs of a fungal nail infection include:

  • Yellow or brown discoloured nails
  • Brittle or crumbling
  • Extremely thickened nails

Fungal nail infections should be taken more seriously in people with diabetes due to the risk of more severe complications, such as foot ulcers, skin infections and gangrene. Luckily, there are steps you can take to avoid fungal nail infection.

Prevent Fungal Nail

Having your feet checked regularly by a podiatrist can identify early warning signs and help ward off serious foot-related complications.

According to Diabetes Australia, your check-up should look at blood flow to the feet, feeling and reflexes, unusual foot shapes, toenails and signs of calluses, corns, cracks, infection or severe dryness.

Calluses and corns can be expected in people with diabetes due to too much pressure on the feet. Your podiatrist can assist in removing calluses and corns promptly—before they turn into ulcers or become infected.

To further protect your feet from a fungal nail infection:

  • Wash, dry and check your feet daily
  • Have your feet checked at least once a year by a podiatrist or credentialed diabetes
  • Wear thongs in communal shower areas
  • Keep toenails short. Cut them straight across
  • Moisturise feet daily
  • Refrain from wearing tights and stockings
  • Wear well-fitting shoes
  • Don’t go barefoot

Want to know more? Check out fungalnaildoctor.com.au or contact A Step Ahead Foot + Ankle Care.

 

 

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

Dr Brenden Brown, Podiatrist & Shendi Brown

Dr Brenden Brown, Podiatrist & Shendi 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

Ten-things-to-know-before-choosing-a-podiatrist

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. ?

The relationship between Diabetes and Feet

Diabetes leads to serious problems of the feet. One major problem is neuropathy, which refers to damage of the nerves of the feet and this leads to total loss or reduction in sensation by the feet. If you suffer from this condition diabetes and feet care is important, because the feet will be affected by the effects of the disease. 

In addition to neuropathy, diabetes can also lead to formation of ulcers and wounds on the foot. The skin of the feet may also be affected and it should be monitored by a foot care specialist. A Step Ahead Foot and Ankle Care Clinic offers special diabetes and feet care to people with diabetes to prevent the onset of secondary conditions like Charcot foot, which refers to collapsing of the Charcot joint found in the midst of the feet, hammer toes or bunions.

You should act as soon as possible to get the right diabetes and feet care. At advanced stages of diabetes, the only treatment option available is amputation; for example, when the bones are infected or there is gangrene. Failure to seek proper diabetes and feet care may even lead to death. 

As soon you notice that your body has a problem with regulation of sugar levels, visit A Step Ahead Foot and Ankle Care clinic immediately for diabetes and feet care and advice. The Principal Podiatrist of the clinic, Mr Brenden Brown, is experienced in podiatry and will give you the right attention and treatment. He has over 15 years in experience in diabetes and feet care and has in the past been the president of Australasian Podiatry council.

 For all your Foot and Lower Limb Care needs, come and see us at:
A Step Ahead Foot & Ankle Care
24 Phillip Street, St Marys; or
Suite 4, 36 Woodriff Street, Penrith
www.astepahead.com.au