Though nail fungus is sometimes treatable at home, it can be very persistent. If you notice signs of a fungal infection, experienced podiatrist Ebram Abdelmalak, DPM, can treat it at Mountain View Foot & Ankle Care in El Monte, California. Dr. Abdelmalak offers effective treatments, including medication for fungal nails. To schedule an appointment, call or use the online booking tool.
Fungal infections commonly infect the skin under your toenails. Fungi thrive in dark, moist environments, including pools, gyms, and locker rooms. You can easily pick up fungal infections if you walk around barefoot in these spaces.
Fungi can easily reproduce if you sweat a lot. When you wear sweaty socks and poorly ventilated shoes, that can create another environment for fungi to thrive. Nail fungus can be a problem for runners and people who have to wear work boots at their jobs.
Fungal nail infection is very contagious, and it’s caused by the same fungus as athlete’s foot. If you have athlete’s foot, the infection can spread from your skin to your nails. The infection can also easily spread from nail to nail and between people.
If left untreated, nail infections can cause significant damage, including nail loss.
Nail infections usually infect a small area under the tip of one nail at first. The infection can then go deeper into your skin and spread to your other toenails.
You may notice any of the following signs in an infected nail:
These changes may affect a part––or all––of the infected nail or nails.
Don’t ignore the signs of fungal nail infection, even if they’re minor and you’re not in any pain. Without treatment, nail fungus can quickly spread and the symptoms can quickly worsen.
Dr. Abdelmalak usually prescribes topical or oral medication as a first-line treatment for nail fungus. Often, topical and oral medications are most effective when combined. If medication doesn’t work, the next step may be laser treatment, which targets the fungus and promotes healthy nail growth.
If the fungal infection doesn’t respond to medication or laser treatment, or you’re in severe pain, you may require surgery. Surgery is performed under local anesthetic and involves permanently removing the infected part of the nail.
To prevent future fungal infections, Dr. Abdelmalak advises you on proper foot hygiene. This includes washing and drying your feet every day, regularly changing your socks and shoes, and never going barefoot in public.
To get treatment for toenail fungus, call Mountain View Foot & Ankle Care or use the online booking tool.
