How do you know if you have a fungal nail?
If your toenails are:
The best way is to have it diagnosed by one of our expert podiatrists who are trained to identify multiple nail pathologies. However, if our podiatrist is unsure they may take your nail clippings for pathological examination, which can be done in house.
What are your treatment options?
Topical (paint on) treatments. Need to be used daily, do not penetrate the nail well, 10% successes rate.
Oral medication. Effective but can have side effects including Liver impairment.
Surgical removal of nail. Can be effective for some people. Risk of infection, difficulty wearing enclosed shoes after removal, potential of nail growing back damaged.
Thermal laser Effective but can be uncomfortably hot. Not all patients can tolerate.
Lunula ‘Cold’ laser. Painless, quick, drug free. The only fungal nail treatment with a 97% success rate. The only proven procedure to restore your nails back to clear health nails.
What causes fungal nail infection?
Fungal nail infections often result from damage to the nail plate or seal, which allows a fungus or athlete’s foot to invade the nail. 30% of patients with fungal nails also have Tinea infection. Hot, sweaty feet in shoes provide the ideal warm, damp environment for fungi to thrive.
Fungal infections are caused primarily by dermatophytes, but also candida and the various yeasts and molds that thrive in worm moist environments. The dermatophyte Tricophytum Rubrum is responsible for about 90 per cent of all nail infections.