Tag Archives: remove toenail fungus

Toenail Fungus

Causes and Symptoms of Toenail Fungus

Toenail Fungus, , , ,

Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a common condition caused by an overgrowth of fungi in, on, or under the nail. Here are the causes and symptoms:

Causes:

  1. Fungal Infection: Fungi like dermatophytes or yeasts can enter the nail bed through tiny cuts or separations between the nail and skin.
  2. Moisture and Warmth: Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, making places like sweaty shoes or damp socks a breeding ground.
  3. Poor Hygiene: Not keeping feet dry and clean can contribute to the growth of fungus.
  4. Injuries or Trauma: Nail injuries can make it easier for fungi to invade and infect the nail.

Symptoms:

  1. Thickened Nails: The affected nails become thicker than usual, making them difficult to trim.
  2. Discoloration: Nails may turn yellow, brown, or white. In some cases, they might darken or develop white spots.
  3. Brittle or Crumbly Nails: Infected nails can become brittle, crumbly, and prone to crumbling or breaking.
  4. Distorted Shape: Nails may change shape, becoming oddly shaped or warped.
  5. Foul Odor: In advanced cases, the infected nail might emit a foul odor.
  6. Pain or Discomfort: In some instances, toenail fungus can cause pain or discomfort, especially when wearing shoes or walking.

Prevention and Treatment:

  • Good Hygiene: Keep your feet clean and dry, especially after being in damp or sweaty conditions.
  • Proper Footwear: Wear breathable shoes and moisture-wicking socks.
  • Avoid Walking Barefoot: Particularly in public places like pools or gym showers.
  • Prompt Treatment: If you suspect a fungal infection, seek treatment early to prevent it from spreading.
  • Topical Treatments: Over-the-counter antifungal nail creams or ointments may help treat mild cases.
  • Oral Medications: In severe cases, oral antifungal medications prescribed by a doctor might be necessary.
  • Surgical Options: In some cases, surgical removal of the nail might be considered if the infection is severe or recurrent.

Always consult Chicago Housecall podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan, as severe cases might require medical intervention.

Call housecall podiatrists at Chicago Home Foot Care at 312-998-0974. Our Chicago podiatrists can provide a proper diagnosis based on your symptoms, medical history, and potentially recommend imaging studies or other diagnostic tests to identify the underlying cause and determine the appropriate treatment.

Toenail Fungus

How Can I Get Rid of Toenail Fungus?

Toenail Fungus, , , ,

How Can I Get Rid of Toenail Fungus?

Are you embarrassed about your unsightly toenails?

If your toenails look discolored, thickened, or are becoming more brittle or painful, you may have toenail fungus under your nails.

Podiatrists at Chicago Home Foot Care can help you take care of not only your feet and ankles, but also your toenails.

Toenail fungus starts when dermatophytes (a type of fungus) enter the bed of your toenails through small cracks, blisters, or scrapes. You can pick up this type of fungus if you go barefoot in warm and damp environments like public showers and pools.

Once inside your nails, the fungus grows and turns them yellow. This discoloration is typically the first sign of a fungal infection. If you don’t treat it right away, your nails may become brittle, and feel painful to the touch over time.

In the worst-case scenario, untreated toenail fungus can take root deep in the tissue layers of your nail and become much more difficult to eliminate.

Symptoms

  • Warped or oddly shaped nails
  • Yellowish nails
  • Loose/separated nail
  • Buildup of bits and pieces of nail fragments under the nail
  • Brittle, broken, thickened nail

Laser for fungal toenail is a pain free and fast procedure, to treat any type of fungus infection in your nail. This technique uses laser light to penetrate and vaporize nail bed and special frequency kills only infected cells, with this method there’s no down time and it does not affect your everyday life.

Chicago toenail fungus treatments are available at European Foot & Ankle Clinic in our four locations:

5501 W Belmont Ave, Chicago IL    Phone: 773-205-0106

6037 S Archer Ave, Chicago IL        Phone:  773-585-8003

5950 Hohman Ave, Hammond IN  Phone: 219-501-0115

4000 S Western Ave, Chicago IL    Phone:  773-376-3100

Ways to prevent toenail fungus:

  1. Wash your feet with soap and water daily, and dry them with a clean towel.
  2. Clip your toenails straight across with a clean clippers.
  3. Wear clean socks daily.
  4. Change your gym shoes after a workout. In fact, alternate pairs if possible, letting your footwear dry out between wearings.
  5. Wear flip-flops or shower sandals in the locker room and poolside, too.
  6. Keep your toenails short

Serving patients near me: 60007 60018 60106 60131 60176 60290 60601 60602  60603 60604 60605 60606 60607 60608 60609 60610 60611 60612 60613 60614 60615 60616 60617 60618 60619 60620 60621 60622 60623 60624 60625 60626 60628 60629 60630 60631 60632 60633 60634 60636 60637 60638 60639 60640 60641 60642 60643 60644 60645 60646 60647 60649 60651 60652 60653 60827 60804 60701 60706 60707 60803 60699 60697 60002 60010 60089 60015 60020 60030 60031 60035 60040 60041 60044 60045 60047 60048 60069 60046 60060 60064 60088 60061 60083 60084 60085 60087 60096 60099 60101 60502 60504 60103 60106 60108 60527 60188 60514 60561 60515 60516 60126 60519 60137 60139 60521 60143 60532 60148 60157 60540 60563 60565 60523 60172 60181 60555 60184 60185 60559 60187 60189 60190 60191 60517

toenail fungus

Dealing With Toenail Fungus

Toenail Fungus, , ,

Toenail Fungus Treatments

Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a common condition that can be stubborn to treat. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. Here are some tips for dealing with toenail fungus:

  1. Maintain proper foot hygiene: Keep your feet clean and dry, especially after bathing or swimming. Make sure to thoroughly dry the affected toenails, as moisture encourages fungal growth.
  2. Trim and thin the nails: Regularly trim your toenails straight across and file them down to thin the infected areas. This helps reduce the thickness of the nail, making topical treatments more effective.
  3. Wear breathable footwear: Choose shoes made of breathable materials, such as leather or mesh, to allow air circulation. Avoid wearing tight or narrow shoes that can cause excessive sweating.
  4. Use antifungal treatments: Over-the-counter antifungal creams, ointments, or sprays can be applied to the affected toenails and surrounding skin. Look for products containing active ingredients like clotrimazole or terbinafine. Follow the instructions on the packaging for proper use.
  5. Apply nail lacquer: Prescription-strength antifungal nail lacquers, such as ciclopirox or amorolfine, can be effective in treating toenail fungus. Apply as directed, typically once or twice a week, and remove the layers with alcohol every seven days before reapplying.
  6. Consider oral medications: In severe or persistent cases, oral antifungal medications may be prescribed by a healthcare professional. These medications have potential side effects, so they should be used under medical supervision.
  7. Protect your feet in public areas: Toenail fungus can be contagious, so take precautions in public areas like swimming pools, gyms, or showers. Wear shower shoes or sandals to minimize contact with surfaces where fungi may thrive.
  8. Be patient and consistent: Treating toenail fungus takes time, and improvement may be gradual. Consistency in following the treatment plan is key. It can take several months for a healthy nail to grow and replace the infected portion.

Remember, these tips are general recommendations, and the effectiveness of treatments may vary from person to person. Consulting with a healthcare professional, podiatrist, will provide you with a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment options based on the severity of your condition.

Call to schedule our house calls podiatrist visit: 312-998-0974

Lear more:  https://chicagohomefootcare.com

Please call us 312 998 0974 today we can help you or your close one in need of foot doctor care to receive it in the comfort of your home.

Serving patients near me: 60007 60018 60106 60131 60176 60290 60601 60602  60603 60604 60605 60606 60607 60608 60609 60610 60611 60612 60613 60614 60615 60616 60617 60618 60619 60620 60621 60622 60623 60624 60625 60626 60628 60629 60630 60631 60632 60633 60634 60636 60637 60638 60639 60640 60641 60642 60643 60644 60645 60646 60647 60649 60651 60652 60653 60827 60804 60701 60706 60707 60803 60699 60697 60002 60010 60089 60015 60020 60030 60031 60035 60040 60041 60044 60045 60047 60048 60069 60046 60060 60064 60088 60061 60083 60084 60085 60087 60096 60099 60101 60502 60504 60103 60106 60108 60527 60188 60514 60561 60515 60516 60126 60519 60137 60139 60521 60143 60532 60148 60157 60540 60563 60565 60523 60172 60181 60555 60184 60185 60559 60187 60189 60190 60191 60517