06/07/2024
Onychomycosis
What it is:
Nail Fungus (onychomycosis) is an infection of the toenail or fingernail plate and underlying nail bed. It is contagious, meaning you picked it up from someone or somewhere else. Like most athletes foot infections, it is fungal in origin, but is more resistant to treatment. A simple course of two to four weeks of a topical anti fungal solution or cream can clear up a tinea based skin infection. Since many cases of nail fungus cause thickening, especially towards the end of the nail, a reservoir of the fungus is contained and may be released to cause an athletes foot infection.
How to treat:
Cases can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. The diagnosis can be made by a simple culture of the nail plate. The milder cases can be treated initially with debridement of the thickened or discolored nail, and a daily topical anti fungal preparation. An oral anti fungal medications can be used for more difficult cases. Since the new nail plate can take six to nine months or more to completely grow out, it can take months before you notice a significant change in the appearance of the nail. Basic hygiene consisting of daily sock and shoe changes, anti fungal sprays and ultraviolet treatments to shoe gear should also be practiced.
If you are having this issue, call and schedule an appointment 501-221-2266.
