The Fungus Among Us

With warmer weather right around the corner, most people will soon be swapping their shoes and boots out for more sandals and flip flops. However, some people may be discouraged about baring their feet because of toenail fungus. Known as onychomycosis, this embarrassing chronic infection can cause yellowing or whitening of the nail bed, nail thickening, and brittleness or nail splitting. In the past, toenail fungus was treated by surgically removing the nail, using topical creams, and/or taking prescribed medications. Not only were these forms of treatment painful and potentially dangerous, but they were also typically unsuccessful.

At Colorado Skin & Vein, we effectively treat toenail fungus for men and women of all ages using a specialized laser.

What causes toenail fungus?

Onychomycosis can be caused by variety of factors, including humidity, excessive moisture, repeated trauma to the nail, tight or occlusive footwear, and communal showers. In addition, individuals with the following characteristics are more prone to developing toenail fungus:

• Excessive foot perspiration
• Diabetes or HIV
• Reduced blood circulation in the feet
• Walk barefoot in damp areas (gym or locker room)

How is treatment performed?

Each procedure takes just a few minutes to perform, and there is little to no discomfort throughout treatment. After the feet have been cleaned and filed, we utilize a state-of-the-art laser to apply warm pulses of light directly to the infected nails. The powerful energy from the laser penetrates deep beneath the nail beds to destroy the fungus. Most patients need multiple treatments spaced about two weeks apart for the best results.

When will I see results?

You can expect a noticeable improvement over the next few months as new, healthy nail grows. Final results take between 3 to 12 months depending on how much of the nail is damaged. Laser is one of the most effective treatments available for toenail fungus. The best part about laser fungus treatment is that you can resume your daily activities as soon as it’s completed.

Are the results permanent?

The results for treating toenail fungus can be permanent as long as you do the following:

• Keep your nails short, clean, and dry
• Wear proper fitting footwear
• Sterilize your shoes, socks, bed sheets, and rugs

Fungal infections are often incredibly hard to get rid of with traditional forms of treatment. To effectively eliminate the presence of fungus on your toenails, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Colorado Skin & Vein today. Simply call (303) 683-3235 or conveniently fill out our online contact form. We look forward to seeing you soon!