You do your best to care for your feet. You wear supportive shoes, keep them clean, and maybe even head to your local nail salon for a professional touch-up. But some problems like toenail fungus happen even when you’re diligent with your foot care routine.
There are plenty of products and DIY remedies that seem like foolproof ways to restore your toenails, but the only guaranteed way to finish off your fungus is with our advanced laser therapy.
Dr. Kelly Geoghan specializes in the industry’s leading toenail fungus removal technology. Here’s a closer look into what toenail fungus is and how we can help you get rid of it.
Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, occurs when fungus enters and grows in the space between your toenail plate and toenail bed. There is more than one type of fungi that can cause toenail fungus, but the most common is a type of mold called dermatophytes, which are microorganisms that feed off of keratin, a protein found in your toenails.
Most often, fungus finds its way under your toenail through a cut or crack in your toe. Nail fungi thrive in warm, moist, dark places. Some of the common ways you can contract nail fungi include walking around the perimeters of swimming pools, using public locker rooms or showers, or walking barefoot in public areas.
Some fungi are contagious and can spread to other areas of your body. For example, toenail fungus often leads to another foot condition called athlete’s foot.
Toenail fungus can impact virtually anyone, but you’re most at risk if you’re over 60 years old because your nails become more brittle and susceptible to breakage as you age. Some other risk factors for toenail fungus are:
Once the fungus has taken hold under your toenail, your toe starts to change appearance. Typically, toenail fungus will cause your toe to change color, look chalky or bloody, thicken, smell, and separate from the nail bed. You may also notice that your toenail is weak and that it cracks or breaks easily.
Fortunately, fungal toenails aren’t typically painful. But leaving them to their own devices can lead to complications, including permanent toenail damage and infections that spread to other areas of your body.
To avoid these potential problems, it’s important to address your toenail fungus quickly with our expert, especially if you have other high-risk health factors.
We use the most advanced toenail fungus removal therapy approved by the FDA: PinPointe™ FootLaser®. This revolutionary technology harnesses the power of medical-grade lasers to target and eliminate fungi below your nail.
The lasers pass through your toenail and leave the rest of your nail and surrounding skin alone. Bonus: You don’t have to worry about pain during your treatment. Most patients report only a warming sensation.
For many of our patients, one treatment is usually all it takes to get rid of the fungus. On average, a toenail fungus removal session takes less than 30 minutes, and you can walk out of our office and back to your normal routine (no downtime required).
After your treatment session, we equip you with some practical tips and tricks to help you avoid toenail fungus in the future. Some of the best ways to guard against toenail fungus are:
Have more questions about dealing with toenail fungus? Call our friendly staff or schedule an appointment online today.
