Fungal Nail
Fungal Nail Treatment
Fungal nail treatment at Malvern and Chadstone Podiatrist
Toenail Fungus is common and affects around 10% of adults. The medical term for nail fungus is onychomycosis. When fungus infects the area between your toes and on the skin of your feet, it is called tinea pedis.
There are several types of fungal nail infections to be aware of:
- The most common in both children and adults is distal subungual onychomycosis. This begins at the ends of the nails and raises the nail up. Risk factors can include a family member with infection, swimming, athletes’ foot, psoriasis, diabetes, and aging feet.
- The second type is less common. It starts at the base of the nail and spreads toward the rest of the nail It is called proximal subungual onychomycosis. This is more commonly seen in patients with a damaged immune system.
Looking for a Chadstone or Malvern Podiatrist for Fungal Nail Treatment?
BOOK ONLINE for an Initial Assessment
Call to schedule a Malvern Podiatrist Appointment
Call Us – 03 9061 7324
Call schedule a Chadstone Podiatrist Appointment
Call Us – 03 8682 8589
Looking for a Chadstone or Malvern Podiatrist for Fungal Nail Treatment?
BOOK ONLINE for an Initial Assessment
Call to schedule a Malvern Podiatrist Appointment
Call schedule a Chadstone Podiatrist Appointment
If your toenails are turning white, yellow, or brown under the tip of the nail, see our Podiatrist in Malvern or Podiatrist in Chadstone Clinic for early treatment and advice. As the fungal infection progresses, the nail becomes more discoloured and thickens. The nails can also become fragile, crumbly, and deformed. Fungus can also make your feet smelly, which is even more reason to get started on treatment early!
It is important to seek treatment quickly if you have diabetes or other circulatory conditions and you think you might be developing a foot fungus. If you have bleeding, pain or swelling around the nails book at an appointment with your Podiatrist as soon as you can.
A rapid test at our Malvern and Chadstone Podiatry clinic can determine if the problem is fungal. At other times, we take a sample cutting of your nail and send it to pathology for diagnosis. It is quite possible you might have a different condition, so we need to be clear of the diagnosis before treatment.
It is important to seek treatment quickly if you have diabetes or other circulatory conditions and you think you might be developing a foot fungus. If you have bleeding, pain or swelling around the nails book at an appointment with your Podiatrist as soon as you can.
A rapid test at our Malvern and Chadstone Podiatry clinic can determine if the problem is fungal. At other times, we take a sample cutting of your nail and send it to pathology for diagnosis. It is quite possible you might have a different condition, so we need to be clear of the diagnosis before treatment.
Your podiatrist will determine the right treatment with you.
- Management and prevention can include:
- Apply topical treatment to both nails and skin to avoid spreading.
- Topical fungal treatments combined with micro-drilling.
- Oral Anti-fungal medication prescribed by your doctor to ensure there is no interaction with existing health problems and medications.
- Prevent reinfection by washing feet with soap and water.
- Keep shoes and feet dry.
- Wear shoes in public places such as swimming pools.
- Avoid nail bars that do not sterilise instruments between patients in an autoclave.
- Avoid applying nail polish to infected nails.
- Use a separate nail clipper for infected toenails.
- Do not attend an unhygienic nail bar if you have diabetes or a compromised immune system.
- Fungus loves warm, moist, dark areas so avoid closed tight shoes with socks that retain moisture.
A fungal infection can be slow and difficult to treat. It may take a variety of treatment strategies and some months to resolve. It is also quite contagious and can lead to serious ulcerations and infections for those people who are immuno-suppressed.
Your podiatrist at Best Foot Forward Malvern and Chadstone Podiatry clinic will advise early treatment and prevention strategies to minimise the risk a chronic fungal infection.
Your podiatrist at Best Foot Forward Malvern and Chadstone Podiatry clinic will advise early treatment and prevention strategies to minimise the risk a chronic fungal infection.
Looking for a Chadstone or Malvern Podiatrist for Fungal Nail Treatment?
BOOK ONLINE for an Initial Assessment
Call to schedule a Malvern Podiatrist Appointment
Call Us – 03 9061 7324
Call schedule a Chadstone Podiatrist Appointment
Call Us – 03 8682 8589
Get In Touch
For more information and an assessment, please book your appointment to see one of our trained podiatrists.