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Podiatrist - Clark, NJ
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Clark, NJ 07066

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Foot Notes

Posts for tag: Toenail Fungus

By Clark Podiatry Center
September 25, 2019
Category: fungal toenails
Tags: diabetes   Toenail Fungus   surgery   podiatrist  

Of the many conditions a person can have regarding their feet, one often ignored is toenail fungus. Maybe because it is such a basic problem that it is often considered normal. But having toenail fungus is certainly not a normal, or at least, a healthy condition as it can easily lead to athlete’s foot. So, what is toenail fungus and what does it look like?  Called onychomycosis, toenail fungus is a fungal infection of your toenails and nail bed. If it spreads to your toes, it becomes athlete’s foot or tinea pedis.

Symptoms of toenail fungus include:

  • Thickened nails – unusual thickness
  • Crumbly nails – toward the edges of the nails
  • Distorted shape – can grow to one side or the other
  • Bad smell – due to fungus
  • Dark color under the nail – from the buildup of the fungus

Causes of toenail fungus include:

  • Sweaty feet – moisture breeds fungus
  • Age – the older a person is, the more likely they are to have poor circulation and the buildup of fungus
  • Walking barefoot in public places – must wear sandals or flipflops to avoid infection
  • Sharing towels, socks and footwear – can spread disease
  • Diabetes – loss of sensation can help nurture fungus
  • Skin conditions like psoriasis – can contribute to fungus

If you have any of the above symptoms, you need to see your podiatrist who will test your feet for a fungus and treat appropriately. Some fungal infections are very stubborn and take time to be completely removed.

Treatments include:

  • Oral anti-fungal – such as Sporanox – can take 12 weeks to work
  • Anti-fungal nail polish or lacquer – applied to the nail. May have to be used for a year.
  • Anti-fungal nail cream – must be used on the nail and skin surrounding it
  • Oral anti-fungal – can be taken in pill form
  • Surgery – in the most severe cases, the entire nail may need to be removed and medication applied after

Need some more help and encouragement in caring for your feet or choosing the right shoes schedule an appointment with Clark Podiatry Center to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon A. Macy. He can assess your feet to ensure that there are no issues making sure that you not only choose the right shoes, but also keep your feet healthy. Come see us at our Clark, New Jersey office today!

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By Clark Podiatry Center
September 18, 2018
Category: Toenail problems

The summer might be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore your toenails! On the contrary, now that you might be wearing more closed-toed shoes with socks, you might be at more of a risk for fungal problems.

Today’s focus is on how fungal growth can mean infections on the toenails. Toenail fungus, also called onychomycosis, is caused by the same family of fungus (tinea) that causes Athlete’s Foot and Ringworm. When the fungus affects the toenails, they can become brittle, discolored, and or thick.

Where do I get fungal toenails?

  • The gym – A common place of contagion is a gym locker room with showers. The damp and warm environment allows the fungus to thrive, making it easy to transfer from person to person when each is barefoot. (Use flip-flops at the gym!)
  • Your family member – If someone in your family has foot fungus or fungal toenails, it can spread via shared towels or showers that do not fully dry between uses.
  • Your roommate – Similarly, if you have a roommate with whom you share a bathroom, you can become infected via shared towels or showers.
  • The community pool – While the chlorine does its best to disinfect and reduce microorganism growth, most people have moments of being barefoot between the pool and the locker room. Foot fungus thrives in moisture associated with pool areas.

Wearing closed-toed shoes, especially if you wear them every day, can also be the culprit of a fungal infection. In the fall and winter, your feet are warm inside the shoes. Those who sweat in closed-toed shoes create the perfect environment for fungus to grow. When opportunity strikes, the microorganism can infect the skin and toenails.

How do I get rid of these unsightly fungal toenails?

Depending on the severity of the fungal toenails, Dr. Macy might suggest:

  • Antifungal creams or lotions directly to the nails.
  • Medicated nail polish: The prescribed nail polish has an antifungal in it and should be used once daily.
  • Oral antifungal medication if your infection sites are throughout the body. 
  • Laser Therapy: This is a low risk, painless treatment, which kills the fungus living in the toenails. As your nails grow out, it should grow without the fungal symptoms. Our office also has Keryflex available to cosmetically restore any damaged toenails, especially as you wait for your own nails to grow out.

Are your fungal toenails causing you embarrassment? Do you want to be free of unsightly toenails? Come to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy for an assessment. Make an appointment today to be rid of those fungal toenails. We are located in Clark, NJ and serve patients in all of Union County! We keep you walking!

 

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By Clark Podiatry Center
September 13, 2017
Category: Toenail problems

Foot fungus is an infection that commonly infects the feet. Toenail fungus, called onychomycosis, can start with a little bit of yellow or white discoloration or dot, but long-term effects can end with fungal build up. Eventually, the nails become discolored (between yellowish and grayish), thicker, and ragged at the tips of the toenails.

Causes: Toenails can become infected by a skin opening or crack in the nails. There are many fungi that can affect toenails as well as the skin (resulting in diseases known as Athlete’s foot and ringworm). Those with weakened immune systems and restricted blood circulation can make folks more susceptible to fungal infection. They are commonly spread in areas that are damp, such as gym locker rooms or towels and other items used by those with infection.

Typical Treatments:  

  • Antifungal Creams or Lotions: Apply directly to the nail and around it. Soaking in a warm foot bath and thinning the nails can make it more effective.
  • Medicated Nail Polish: The prescribed nail polish has an antifungal in it and should be used once daily.
  • Oral Antifungal Medications: Because it is a systemic treatment, it can clear up fungus that affects all of the skin. However, it can also have side effects that cause skin rash and liver damage.
  • Home treatments like: Over-the-counter treatment with camphor and eucalyptus oil; snakeroot extract

Laser Therapy: The latest treatment option for fungal toenails is laser therapy. It is a low risk, painless treatment with no known side effects. It can effectively treat fungal infection through a short 10-minute session, with follow-up sessions if necessary. It can kill the fungus living in the nails so that future nail growth will occur without the infection. Since toenails can grow slowly, it can take as long as 5 to 6 months for the toenail to push out the infected area. We also offer Keryflex to cover and cosmetically restore damaged toenails. You can hide fungal infections using Keryflex and nail polish.

Got a persistent fungal infection that won’t respond to typical treatment? Come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy for an assessment of the fungal toenails. Make an appointment today to have your feet treated with care. We are located in Clark, NJ and serve patients in all of Union County! We keep you walking!

 

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By Clark Podiatry Center
December 11, 2015
Tags: Toenail Fungus  

Having healthy feet and toenails is very important in order to prevent nail disorders such as toenail fungus and toenail fungal infections. These nail disorders are more common than you think and should never be ignored. Bacteria and fungi are present everywhere in our daily environments but shoes are particularly a favorite spot.

Since this is such a common and frequently seen condition in people throughout the world, it is thus also an easily preventable condition. Podiatrists know a great deal about toenail fungal infections and know how, why and where it develops. Although there are treatments available, some infections are resistant to treatment and can reoccur. So prevention is the key to healthy toenails!

There are many quick and easy steps you can take to decrease your risk of developing fungal infections in your toes and toenails.

Top Tips for Healthy Toenails

  • Wash your feet daily.
  • Use a soft cloth or pumice stone to exfoliate your heels to remove dead skin and flaking between toes.
  • Dry your feet thoroughly after bathing.
  • Cut your toenails straight and always use new or sterilized tools.
  • Use a disinfectant spray or foot powder if you tend to get sweaty feet.
  • Wear the right size shoe. They shouldn’t be too tight or too loose. Make sure your toes are not squished.
  • Change your shoes day to day.
  • Choose shoes made of genuine leather or breathable materials such as canvas or mesh.
  • Wear slippers or flip flops in public areas.
  • In summertime, opt for light, airy, comfortable shoes with cushioning.
  • In the wintertime, choose boots made for rain or snow and let them dry out completely before your next use.

If you follow the above steps, toenail fungal infections are easily preventable and you can also avoid other foot disorders and conditions. These basic tips will not only keep your feet clean, smelling fresh and far away from foot problems, but they will also ensure that your feet look great even without a pedicure.

If you suspect that you already may have developed a toenail fungal infection or have other concerning symptoms present in your toenails, look at the signs below to see whether you may need to visit a board certified podiatrist to seek treatment or medication.

Signs of Unhealthy Toenails

  • Dark nails
  • Yellow nails
  • Rigid or brittle nails
  • Bluish discoloring in nails
  • Thinning, scaling or peeling nails
  • Any type of ridges present in nails – horizontal or vertical ridges

Visit Clark Podiatry in Clark, New Jersey to seek treatment for any of your foot and ankle problems. Dr. Brandon Macy is a board certified podiatrist who specializes in treating men, women and children of all ages. He will meet with you to learn of your symptoms and problems and carefully diagnose you and suggest the best treatment for you. Call Clark Podiatry today at (732) 382-3470 or book your appointment online!

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By Brandon Macy, D.P.M
October 15, 2013
Category: Toenail problems

Toenail FungusPreventing & Eliminating Fungal Toenails

Also known as onychomycosis, toenail fungus can be painful, irritating and embarrassing. When there is trauma to the nail, the nail bed is lifted allowing fungus to penetrate and invade the nail bed. Without treatment, the fungus can grow and spread in dark, warm, moist environments, such as socks and shoes.

Common signs and symptoms of toenail fungus include:

  • Discoloring or yellowing of the nail
  • Thickening or crumbling of the nail
  • Swelling around the nail
  • Disfigured nails
  • Streaks or spots down the side of the nail
  • Foul-smelling debris under the nail
  • Pain and discomfort
  • Complete nail loss

Prevention is key

Fungal infections can affect the fingernails as well as the toenails, but toenail fungus is more difficult to treat because toenails grow more slowly. Because removal of the fungus is challenging, prevention plays an important role in treatment.

  • Keep nails neatly trimmed
  • Practice good foot hygiene, including daily washing with soap and water; drying feet and toes carefully; and changing shoes regularly
  • Always wear shoes in public areas, such as showers, locker rooms and pools
  • Wear comfortable shoes that aren't too tight
  • Avoid wearing polish 365 days per year to prevent sealing in fungus.  We have polish available in the office which contains antifungal properties.

Treatment of toenail fungus

If you do develop toenail fungus, especially if the infection becomes painful, visit Brandon Macy, D.P.M.. People with a chronic illness like diabetes should always see a podiatrist if they notice changes in their nails as it may be an indication of more serious problems.

To eliminate the fungus, a podiatrist may remove as much of the infected nail as possible by trimming, filing or dissolving it. Oral or topical antifungal medications may also be prescribed to help treat the infection. Only for severe, chronic infections will surgical removal of the nail be recommended. Laser Therapy for ugly fungal nails is available too. Our Clark Office can help diagnose the cause of your toenail problems and make the best recommendation for treatment.

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1114 Raritan Road
Clark, NJ 07066

Podiatrist - Clark, Dr. Brandon Macy, 1114 Raritan Road, Clark NJ, 07066 732-382-3470