Onychomycosis (fungi) is a chronic infectious disease of slow evolution produced by different types of fungi.
This condition is preferentially developed on the nails of the feet. Men are more likely to suffer. Their appearance may occur at any age, but is most common in adult people. As the nail ages, it becomes fragile, dried and cracked allowing the invasion of the fungi.
Pictures of toenail fungus
The absence of pain in most cases, the slow evolution of the pathology and the generalized consideration that it is only an aesthetic problem, are the fundamental reasons why the patient does not consult the podiatrist.
The combination of several therapies is the key to success in eliminating fungi. In Podomédic Centers we study your case to administer a treatment to deal with your problem.
What are the clinical signs?
Fungi usually invade the nail starting from the outer edge and gradually progress, and can affect one or more nails.
The clinical signs begin with partial involvement of the nail (woody appearance, color variations towards yellowish or brownish tones, increased thickness, greater fragility, bad odor, detachment, etc.). Over time the infection can lead to total destruction of the nail.
How is it diagnosed?
Onychomycosis is one of the cutaneous processes that is most frequently associated with alterations that are due to other causes. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis by identifying the fungus.
Toenail fungus treatment. How to remove them?
When a patient has toenail fungus, they always ask us: how to cure nail fungus.
Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the type of fungus causing it.. It is usually long lasting, up to more than a year.
In fact, no single treatment has been shown to be effective and that mixing multiple therapies is the key to success. The combination of Laser along with oral and topical treatment with fungicides is the procedure of choice for onychomycosis in our Podomedic Centers.
Systemic treatment: these medications clear the infection faster than topical medications.
Despite this, they can cause alterations in liver function. Therefore, it is advisable to perform a blood count and biochemical and liver tests before starting treatment and repeat the control after a month.
How is onychomycosis treated with laser?
It has been proven that the laser is an excellent adjuvant for the treatment of mycoses since it does not present any contraindication nor does it require any type of pharmacological treatment, so it can be used in all types of patients.
The procedure consists of applying the laser rays on the infected nails and the skin that surrounds them, alternating horizontal and vertical beams, and insisting several times, so that no area remains untreated.
The light beams penetrate through the nail causing a controlled thermal effect that kills fungi without causing damage to the surrounding tissue.
The treatment consists of about 6 sessions at 3-week intervals, with an average duration of about 10-15 minutes, depending on the number of fingers affected.
What preventive measures should be taken?
To prevent future infections, in addition to following the treatment stipulated by the podiatrist, the following hygienic measures should be taken:
- Wear wide shoes
- Avoid nail trauma
- Do not go barefoot
- Keep feet dry
- Avoid hot and humid environments
- Avoid risky spaces: changing rooms, swimming pools, etc.
- Apply local use fungicides in powder or spray form
