Blog - Medical Aesthetic Center

What is Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is a fungal infection that causes the nails to grow abnormally and yellow, turning them into unsightly-looking feet.

Symptoms of Toenail Fungus

1. Nails are discolored and yellow, brown, or black.
2. Nails may crumble and separate from the nail bed.
3. Some people have a bad smell associated with their nails.
4. The nail may also appear red around the cuticle area, indicating an infection in the bloodstream.

What are five tips for Preventing Nail fungi in the summertime?

- Always keep your hands and feet clean.
- Try not to pick at the area around your nails as this will cause damage to the nail.
- Use antibacterial soaps to wash your hands after you go to the bathroom. Avoid using soap with high amounts of sulfates or parabens as they damage your nails.
- Another effective way to prevent nail fungus in the summertime is by using a product that freezes the affected area.
- It is also essential to apply a moisturizer with an SPF rating of 5 or higher to protect your hands and feet from the sun. To keep your skin hydrated and soft, try using shea butter, as it moisturizes the skin and has anti-inflammatory properties that prevent dryness.

How can you treat them?

1. The most common is clipping dead skin from the sides of the nails with a scalpel, scissors, or even a nail file and then applying a solution such as potassium permanganate (which is essentially bleach).
2. Antifungal tablets such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or itraconazole (Sporanox) can be effective. Still, they can have significant side effects and require regular blood monitoring to prevent damage to the liver and kidneys. Please consult a doctor before using.
3. A newer treatment is laser treatment, which uses a laser to destroy the fungus. It is the most effective of the treatments.
4. Another treatment is an immune-stimulator such as vitamin C, Echinacea, or a combination of the two.

At the Medical Aesthetic Center in Marmora Ney Jersey, we offer minimally invasive procedures targeting toenail fungus. Call us today to book an appointment with one of our doctors.