Fungal Toenails—Discover How Podiatrists Treat, Diagnose, and Prevent Toe Fungus

Can you see it? Sandal season is on the horizon.

If you deal with toenail fungus, however, the thought of baring your toes for the world to see may feel like a punishment. But it doesn't have to be this way.

Fungal toenails can be effectively treated so you can display your feet with confidence and pride.

At City Step Podiatry, we believe knowledge is power. That’s why Dr. Alison Young is committed to offering you the information and resources to make informed podiatry decisions for optimal health and well-being.

Toenail fungus is a common condition that podiatrists treat regularly. We created this article to help you learn more about why toenail fungus occurs, who's at risk for fungal toenails, and how fungal nails can be treated and even prevented.

Ready to banish toenail fungus in time to break out your favorite open-toed shoes this spring and summer? Read on to discover all you need to know about toenail fungus and you.

What is toenail fungus and how does it happen?

Nail fungus is a common condition. It’s estimated to impact up to 12% of the population and tends to affect older folks more than younger ones.

But just because it’s common doesn't mean you want to live with it.

We’ll explore treatment options later, but first, let’s clarify what toenail fungus is, who’s at risk, and why it happens.

Let’s start by getting the technical stuff out of the way.

The medical term for fungal toenails is tinea unguium or onychomycosis. Both are mouthfuls, we know.

The only difference between these terms is that tinea unguium indicates a specific dermatophyte fungus is the cause of the toenail infection.

In contrast, onychomycosis encompasses any fungal nail infection, including those caused by organisms like Candida. (If that term rings a bell, it’s because it’s a common form of yeast that lives in the body and, when imbalanced, can lead to infections like thrush in the mouth.)

Dermatophytes are the cause of the vast majority of toenail fungal infections. A dermatophyte is a specific type of fungus that needs keratin to grow. Keratin is a protein found in your hair, nails, and skin. This pesky little fungus is also what causes ringworm.

Ok, ok—no more Latin, we promise.

Toenail fungus occurs when this sneaky fungus finds a way to slip between the protective covering of your toenail and access your nail bed. Often, a crack or cut in your nail is what allows it to get its proverbial foot in the door.

Once the fungus is inside your nail bed, it starts to spread and cause an infection that produces outward symptoms.

The good news is it’s not usually painful. But it’s still an infection and needs treatment to heal.

Most people with fungal nails are primarily concerned about the aesthetics of it, as this condition is known to impact how your toenails look and feel.

Toenail fungus can affect one or more nails. It impacts the big toe most often.

The symptoms of toenail fungus often include toenails that are:

Discolored—fungal nails can be yellowish or have white spots or streaks
Brittle—fungal toenails may be brittle and crack easily or appear ragged and misshapen
Thickened—they may even become very difficult to clip or cut
Loose—fungal nails may separate from the nail bed
Odorous—in some cases, fungal nails can become smelly

Like most health issues, some folks are at increased risk for fungal nails. These include people who:

Have experienced nail injuries or trauma
Have diabetes
Have Athlete's Foot (which is caused by the same fungus)
Have a compromised immune system
Have circulation issues, such as peripheral vascular disease
Are over the age of 60
Have psoriasis

In addition to these risk factors, certain lifestyle choices can also increase your risk for fungal nails. They include:

Wearing shoes that are too tight
Wearing footwear that makes your feet sweat heavily
And going barefoot in damp public places (think: community pools, the gym, or communal showers)

The good thing about lifestyle risks is they are within your power to control and minimize.

How are fungal toenails treated?

Fortunately, you’ve got options when it comes to treating fungal nails. Unfortunately, it can be tricky to treat and sometimes comes back.

That’s why it’s often recommended that you seek out an expert who can enhance your chances of effectively treating your fungal toenails and reducing your risks for recurrence.

Your podiatrist will likely recommend three potential treatment approaches for healing fungal toenails:

Topical treatments

Antifungal medications are applied directly to the affected nail(s) to treat toenail fungus at the source. Terbinafine is a common option and is available in gel, cream, or spray form.

Dr. Young's top choice for topical antifungal treatments is called Jublia. This topical medication is available by prescription to treat fungal toenails.

If you’re interested in learning more about this option and why she recommends it, reach out today for a consultation or to book an appointment.

Oral medications

Podiatrists often recommend a combination of oral and topical medications to treat toenail fungus effectively.

There are many different options for oral antifungal medications. Your doctor can help you select the best choice and monitor any side effects. It’s important to know you’ll likely need to stay on this medication for a few months, as fungal infections can take time to treat.

Dr. Young typically uses terbinafine for this purpose. You may recognize it by its brand name: Lamisil.

Laser therapy

Laser treatments are a cutting-edge way to treat toenail fungus. The upside of this approach is that treatments are quick, typically painless, and often very effective. The downside to this treatment approach is that it’s typically not covered by insurance, so your treatments must be paid out of pocket. Still, many people go for this option because of its many benefits.

Dr. Young is proud to offer Remy class IV laser therapy treatments at City Step Podiatry. This state-of-the-art treatment system can help treat a variety of foot and ankle issues, including toenail fungus. Laser therapy is safe, effective, and even soothing.

Learn more about our Remy laser therapy treatments.

Of course, the best way to approach fungal nails is to prevent them from happening in the first place.

While prevention may not always be an option, here are some tips to reduce your risks of developing fungal toenails:

Don’t do damp—the fungus that causes Athlete’s Foot and fungal toenails thrives in warm, moist environments. That’s why it’s important to keep your feet dry as much as possible. Use a towel or even a hair dryer to ensure your feet are fully dried after a shower or swim and wear protective shoes in damp communal spaces like community pools and gym locker rooms.
Wiggle room—your feet and toes need room to breathe and spread out. Avoid wearing shoes that are too tight or restrictive on your feet, as this can encourage fungus to spread. You should also avoid wearing shoes all day and give your feet a break when they can be free and exposed to the air.
Variety is the spice of life—avoiding wearing the same pair of shoes on consecutive days can reduce the ability of the fungus to spread and thrive. Switch up your shoe game often to discourage fungus from gaining a foothold.
Sharing isn’t caring—we only mean this when it comes to your shoes, socks, or towels! Sharing these items with others can mean sharing germs and fungus. It’s best to keep these personal items to yourself to reduce the risks of spreading a fungal infection.

If you follow these tips, you can reduce your risks of developing toenail fungus.

Next, let’s learn some of Dr. Young’s expert advice on fungal toenail treatment.

A podiatrist’s expert insights on toe fungus

Dr. Young understands what it's like to be a busy professional—because she is one, herself.

She’s here to deliver her expert recommendations and straight talk on how to approach and effectively treat toenail fungus.

If you’re considering treatment for your toenail fungus, there are some important things she wants you to know.

Dr. Young’s toe fungus treatment fast facts:

First and foremost, it’s crucial to know that treating toenail fungus isn’t a quick process.

All of the effective toe fungus treatments require at least three to four months to assess if they’re working.

This means it’s wise to plan ahead when treating this condition.

If you’re looking to be ready for the upcoming sandal season, it’s best to begin treatment in the winter. This way, we can assess how your treatment plan is working and make adjustments if needed. If you start in the winter, you’ll enhance your chances of noticeable improvement by the time warm weather returns.

This is true no matter which treatment you choose to address your fungal toenails. That’s because you have to wait for the nail to grow out to assess how the treatment is working. And that process typically takes between three and four months.

What about simply removing the affected toenails?

This sounds like a good idea on the surface, but the issue with this approach is it fails to address the deeper issue that’s causing your toe fungus. “Removing the nails is an option, but won’t necessarily solve the problem if we don’t also treat the fungus,” Dr. Young explains.

What about home remedies and treatments for toenail fungus?

Home remedies and treatments can sometimes help toenail fungus or at least reduce its symptoms.

But here’s something to consider: not only do podiatrists have medical-grade treatments and therapeutics at their disposal that are more effective than home remedies and OTC offerings, but you want to make sure you’re dealing with toenail fungus before you begin treatment.

Sometimes, other issues can mimic the visible signs and symptoms of toenail fungus.

This includes microtrauma to your nails, which can be caused by ill-fitting shoes, running, and other sports that put pressure on the toes and feet. The toenail changes caused by these microtraumas can look a lot like toenail fungus. The only way to know for sure is to take a clipping of the affected nail and send it for a biopsy.

In short: it’s best to have a trusted podiatrist in your corner to help you accurately diagnose and effectively treat fungal toenails when they show up.

Dr. Young and her team at City Step Podiatry are experts at diagnosing and treating toenail fungus. With a range of cutting-edge treatments, extensive experience, and a convenient location and scheduling, we’ll help you banish your nail fungus as quickly as possible—so you can put your best foot forward this coming sandal season!

Book your appointment easily online or connect with our team directly for personalized support. Be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter and visit our blog regularly for expert insights to keep your feet and ankles happy and healthy!