Toenail fungus is an incredibly common foot problem that can affect anyone. Although data suggests that anywhere from 5% - 10% of Americans have some form of toenail fungus at any given time, many people are unaware that they have it or live with it for years without getting treatment, so the numbers are probably much higher. There are different types of fungal infections that affect toe and fingernails, and several causes and risk factors, the most common of which is living with someone who has it or walking barefoot on moist and damp surfaces, like the locker room or shower at the gym. The podiatrists at Kenneth R. Meisler & Associates in New York City offer laser treatment for toenail fungus.

Toenail Fungus Treatment in New York City

In many cases, toenail fungus can be treated with at home, over the counter remedies and self-care. However, depending on the severity and type of fungal infection, conservative treatments may be ineffective. If preventive or self-care methods are ineffective, you should schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for treatment. Some of the most common toenail fungus treatment options include:

• Oral medication
• Topical treatments
• Laser treatment
• Surgical removal of the nail (reserved for cases where topical and other treatments are ineffective in clearing up a severe infection)

Kenneth R. Meisler & Associates offers PinPointe Foot Laser therapy, a non-invasive treatment that uses laser beams to kill the fungus embedded underneath your toenails. It is a simple outpatient procedure that does not require numbing or anesthesia, and exclusively targets the fungus without causing damage or irritation to your toenail or surrounding tissue. The number of treatments depends on the severity of the infection, but can be effective in as little as a single treatment for mild cases.

Find a Podiatrist in New York City

For more information about toenail fungus prevention and treatment for you and your family, contact our office by calling (212) 628-4444 to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist today.

Nix toenail fungus for good and say goodbye to unsightly yellow toenails.

Even though the cooler weather means that we are packing up those summer flip-flops and once again sporting close-toed shoes it doesn’t make dealing with an unsightly toenail fungus any easier. A toenail fungus can be unpleasant and difficult to treat. Fortunately, our New York City podiatrists have some options for getting rid of your toenail fungus so you can enjoy clear, healthy-looking toenails when it’s time to actually sport those flip-flops again.

What are the symptoms of a toenail fungus?

You could be dealing with a toenail fungus if your nail is:

• Thick
• Crumbling or brittle
• Dull
• Misshapen
• Yellowing or dark in color
• Painful (if the nail has separated from the nail bed)

How does toenail fungus happen?

As the name already suggests, a fungus known as a dermatophyte is responsible for this infection. Of course, molds and yeasts can also cause nail fungus. Fungi thrive in environments that are warm and moist, like your local community swimming pool or the gym locker room. These fungi can enter your skin through microscopic cuts and infect the nail.

What are my treatment options?

For otherwise healthy individuals who have toenail fungus using over-the-counter medications to target your fungal infection may be all that you need. Of course, if you aren’t finding any relief from your symptoms with at-home treatment, or if you have diabetes, you need to visit our NYC foot doctor right away for care. Sometimes prescription medications are the only way to target a toenail fungus.

Since topical medications don’t penetrate through the nail, it can be challenging to kill the fungal infection this way, which is why we might prescribe oral antifungal medications. You will need to take this medication for several weeks. Even once the infection is gone the nail will still need to grow back fully in order to see that it’s healthy. It can take several months to see results.

Of course, laser treatment has become an increasingly popular way to target and eliminate nail fungus. The laser can safely penetrate the nail to heat up and destroy the fungus. Again, you’ll still have to wait several months for the nail to grow back healthy, but laser fungal treatment can be an amazing treatment option, especially for those with stubborn or chronic toenail fungus.

Don’t let a yellow, crumbling toenail affect how your feet look. Let Dr. Kenneth Meisler & Associates in New York City provide you with the care you deserve to fight pesky toenail fungus for good.

A fungal infection in one of your toenails can be both uncomfortable and unsightly. To fix the problem, there are both topical and oral treatments that can be used. If you are suffering from a fungal toenail, see your podiatrist as soon as possible. 

• Walking barefoot in wet public areas. Walking without shoes in swimming pools, showers or gyms can increase your chances of a fungal infection.
• Sweating heavily. If your feet are constantly sweaty, fungus will be more likely to survive and thrive near your toes in your shoe. 
• Diabetes. Diabetes restricts the flow of blood to the extremities. Because of this, your immune system will be less prepared to fight off the fungal infection.
• Poor shoes. If you wear shoes that do not ventilate or effectively absorb perspiration well, fungus will be able to thrive near your feet. 

Options To Treat Fungal Toenails

There are a variety of treatments for fungal nail infections, including pills and (rarely) procedures to remove the infected nail, but topical ointments are among the most popular solutions prescribed by podiatrists.

Jublia and Kerydin Fungal Treatment

Call Kenneth R. Meisler, D.P.M., FACFAS, P.L.L.C. Today!

Preventing & Eliminating Fungal Toenails

Also known as onychomycosis, toenail fungus can be painful, irritating and embarrassing. When there is trauma to the nail, the nail bed is lifted allowing fungus to penetrate and invade the nail bed. Without treatment, the fungus can grow and spread in dark, warm, moist environments, such as socks and shoes.

Common signs and symptoms of toenail fungus include:

• Discoloring or yellowing of the nail
• Thickening or crumbling of the nail
• Swelling around the nail
• Disfigured nails
• Streaks or spots down the side of the nail
• Foul-smelling debris under the nail
• Pain and discomfort
• Complete nail loss

Prevention is key

Fungal infections can affect the fingernails as well as the toenails, but toenail fungus is more difficult to treat because toenails grow more slowly. Because removal of the fungus is challenging, prevention plays an important role in treatment.

• Keep nails neatly trimmed
• Practice good foot hygiene, including daily washing with soap and water; drying feet and toes carefully; and changing shoes regularly
• Always wear shoes in public areas, such as showers, locker rooms and pools
• Wear comfortable shoes that aren't too tight
• Avoid nail polish which can seal in fungus

Treatment of toenail fungus

If you do develop toenail fungus, especially if the infection becomes painful, visit Kenneth R. Meisler, D.P.M., P.L.L.C. & Associate. People with a chronic illness like diabetes should always see a podiatrist if they notice changes in their nails as it may be an indication of more serious problems.

To eliminate the fungus, a podiatrist may remove as much of the infected nail as possible by trimming, filing or dissolving it. Oral or topical antifungal medications may also be prescribed to treat the infection. Only for severe, chronic infections will surgical removal of the nail be recommended. Our New York office can help diagnose the cause of your toenail problems and make the best recommendation for treatment.