Nail fungus infections are easy to contract, but they’re challenging to shake completely. You need treatment that gets rid of the infection at a deep level, or it will come back again and again.
Dr. Stephen G. Eichelsdorfer (“Dr. Ike”) at Town Center Foot & Ankle provides this comprehensive guide to treating toenail fungus and preventing reinfection. If you need support with recurring toenail fungus infections, contact our Kingwood, Texas, office to learn more about how Dr. Ike can help.
Nails with fungal infections thicken and grow distorted, and they can become discolored. Without treatment, the affected nail may even split in two. You don’t want to ignore fungus problems.
Drugstores and big-box stores sell over-the-counter toenail fungus treatments that may seem to be effective, but they don’t get to the root of the problem. Trying these types of at-home remedies may leave you stuck in a cycle of recurring fungal flare-ups.
At Town Center Foot & Ankle, we use state-of-the-art techniques to banish toenail fungus for good. Laser treatment is one of the best ways to eliminate fungus and restore your nails. We use the PinPointe™ FootLaser system to clear up your infection quickly and effectively.
We treat all of your nails, not just the nail that’s visibly infected, to make sure that the infection won’t recur. In addition to laser treatment, we offer oral and topical antifungal medications that may work better for you than over-the-counter products.
Once we fully eradicate your toenail fungus, the last thing you want is reinfection. In order to prevent fungal infection recurrence, follow these guidelines and precautions.
Dermatophytes and other fungal organisms gravitate to areas that are dark, moist, and warm, such as the floor of a community shower area or the space beneath your toenails.
In order to avoid reinfection, pay attention to where you put your bare feet, as well as how you clean and air out your feet and toes.
To avoid contagious toenail fungus, take care in warm, wet locations that you share with other people. That includes shared showers, public pools, and gym changing rooms. Use sandals so that your bare feet don’t come into contact with floors in these types of areas.
It also helps to pay attention to cleaning and airing out your feet, your shoes, and your socks. Whenever your feet get sweaty, take a moment to wash them with warm water and soap, then fully dry them. Dry out gym shoes overnight, and only wear clean socks. Sharing shoes or socks can expose you to fungus.
You have a heightened risk of toenail fungus problems if you have diabetes, a history of athlete’s foot, or a chronic skin condition such as psoriasis. Older people and athletes are more likely to struggle with repeated toenail fungus infections.
With the right knowledge and approach, you can get rid of nail fungus and prevent recurrence. Reach out to us at Town Center Foot & Ankle in Kingwood, Texas, for treatment and support today. Request your appointment over the phone or online now.
