Toenail fungus is a condition associated with the yellowing or thickening of the toenails. Certain activities, such as walking around barefoot at a public pool, increase the possibility of developing toenail fungus. It is important to treat toenail fungus promptly to prevent the infection from spreading, which could lead to additional problems. Dr. Jeffrey Agricola, the board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon at Prestige Podiatry in Indianapolis & Carmel, IN, treats toenail fungus.

Causes of Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus, or fungal nails, is caused by an infection of the skin beneath the nail. There are several ways the skin can become infected, such as sharing nail clippers with others, going barefoot at public pools or showers, and not immediately changing out of socks or shoes that have gotten wet.

Some common signs that a fungal infection is present include:

• Thickening of the toenails
• Yellowing of the toenails
• Brittle toenails that easily flake
• Darkening of the skin beneath the nails
• White patches on the toenails
• Loose toenails

Several steps can be taken to help prevent toenail fungus from developing in the first place, including:

• Keep the feet clean and dry
• Keep socks and shoes dry
• Wear shoes that fit well and are not too tight
• Wear protective sandals or footwear at public pools or in locker rooms
• Disinfect nail clippers, scissors, or other pedicure instruments after each use
• Do not share nail clippers or other instruments with others
• Avoid sharing shoes or socks with others

Toenail Fungus Laser Treatment 

Toenail fungus is difficult to treat and eliminate on your own so it is best to see a podiatrist for treatment. Beginning treatment right away will help prevent the infection from spreading to other areas of the foot, which could lead to additional problems. We treat toenail fungus using several methods, including state-of-the-art laser treatment.

Laser treatment for toenail fungus works by passing a beam of light over the infected nails. Pigment in the fungi absorbs the light emitted by the laser. The light produces heat that kills the fungi. The treatment is extremely effective and offers several benefits beyond killing the fungal infection, including:

• Laser treatment is gentle, safe, and effective
• Light from the laser stimulates healthy nail growth
• The laser does not harm the surrounding healthy tissue
• There is little to no discomfort during laser treatment
• Laser treatment is FDA approved

Contact Our Podiatrist Today

If you have toenail fungus, our state-of-the-art laser treatment can help. For the treatment of toenail fungus in Indianapolis & Carmel, IN, schedule an appointment with Dr. Agricola by calling Prestige Podiatry at (317) 881-0070 for the Indianapolis office or at (317) 846-4111 for our Carmel location.