Nail Fungus Treatment
Answered by admin
Many people believe that the unsightly look of their nails is the only problem that they face when they have a fingernail or toenail fungus. For this reason, many cases of nail fungus go untreated. If left untreated, however, a nail infection may cause more serious problems than an unattractive nail. Nail fungus can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails. It also may lead to other serious infections that can spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system.
Nail fungus is just like any other fungal infection of the body. It will most likely not just go away on its own. Patients with a nail fungus should be proactive about seeking treatment. Waiting years or months for the fungus to go away will cause it to spread deeper into the body.
Nail infections pose the most serious health risk for people with diabetes and for those with weakened immune systems such as cancer, or AIDS patients, or organ transplant recipients. If you have diabetes, your blood circulation and the nerve supply to your feet can become impaired. You’re also at greater risk for cellulitis, which is a bacterial skin infection. Therefore, any relatively minor injury to your feet — including a nail fungal infection — can lead to a more serious complication requiring medical care.
Over-the-counter antifungal treatments are common but not particularly effective and often result in multiple repeat infections. Other treatment options include oral medications, surgery, and prescription topical medications. The side effects from these options can range from skin infections to liver damage. Laser treatments have been shown to be an effective treatment option to eliminate nail fungus without damaging the nail or the skin around it or causing any internal damage.
The Dermatologists at Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of New York and New Jersey will be happy to discuss toenail fungus treatments with you. Please feel free to call for a private consultation at one of their locations.