Treatment Options for Toenail Fungus

How your podiatrist in Roseburg, OR, can help with toenail fungus

When you look down at your feet, do you notice dark, crumbly, or misshapen toenails? If so, you could have toenail fungus, a very common condition that your podiatrist can treat. Dr. Jason Wilks at Wilks Advanced Foot Care in Roseburg, OR, provides comprehensive foot and ankle services, including treatment of toenail fungus.

Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, can be picked up by walking barefoot in warm, moist areas like public. pools, locker rooms, and gym facilities.

You can do a lot to prevent toenail fungus by remembering to always wear footwear when you are in public areas. Remember to never share socks, shoes, or linens with other people too.

The fungus starts out as a small white or yellow spot underneath your toenail. It becomes larger as it burrows further underneath your toenail. As the fungus grows larger, your toenail will appear:

• Dark or yellow
• Thick and crumbly
• Misshapen and deformed

You may also experience a foul odor coming from your toes. If you notice any of these signs and symptoms, you can try a few simple home treatments to relieve toenail fungus. You can try:

• Thinning and trimming your toenails to reduce pressure on your nails
• Applying over-the-counter anti-fungal creams to your toe and toenail

For stubborn toenail fungus that doesn’t respond to home treatments, it’s best to visit your podiatrist, who may recommend:

• Oral anti-fungal medication to help you grow a healthy, new nail
• Medicated nail cream or nail polish to kill the underlying fungus
• Laser or light treatment to kill the underlying fungus so a healthy nail can grow

For severe toenail fungus, your podiatrist may recommend removing the toenail entirely, to allow a new toenail to grow.

To learn more about the causes and treatment of toenail fungus, call Dr. Jason Wilks at Wilks Advanced Foot Care in Roseburg, OR. You can reach him in the office by calling (541) 673-0742, so call today.