In Howard County we’re beginning to see the first signs of spring and at Cange Podiatry, DPM PA and we know that means open-toed shoes will soon be the first choice in footwear. If you are a patient suffering with an unsightly nail caused by a fungal infection, we can help.
Fungal Nail Symptoms
Signs of a fungal nail include:
Discoloration—yellow or brownish color
Thickened appearance of the nail
Crumbling at the edges
Fungal toenails are cause by an organism that grows in and under the nail. These fungi thrive in warm, moist places and are highly contagious. It’s common to come in contact with this fungus in gym locker rooms, public pools and nail salons. You can also get a fungal nail as the result of a trauma or spending long periods of time in wet or damp shoes. To prevent fungal nails, you should keep your feet covered, especially in public places where other people walk barefoot and avoid sharing nail clippers, towels, socks, shoes or any other items that touch another person’s feet.
Treatment Methods
Typically, fungal toenails are treated with either topical or oral medications. But these tend to take a long time to eradicate the fungus and the oral medications can have some serious side effects. That’s why our podiatrist, Dr. Darlyne Cange, recommends the newest modality for treating fungal toenails: laser therapy. Laser treatment focuses a concentrated beam of laser light through the nail to eradicate the fungus. This procedure is performed right in our Glen Burnie (410-684-5934) or Ellicott City (410-680-8357) office. It’s safe and painless and requires no anesthesia. For most patients, three treatments are all it takes to restore the nail to its normal state.
If you are tired of hiding your toenails and avoiding open-style shoes, contact us. We will help you restore your nails to their natural beauty in time for the warmer weather and sandal season.