How Can A Podiatrist Treat My Nail Fungus?

Is it time that you turned to a podiatrist to treat your nail fungus? 

Has one of your toenails become brittle and yellow? Is the nail starting to thicken, making it uncomfortable to wear your everyday shoes? If so, then you could be dealing with a nail fungus. This is a common problem that occurs more often in older adults. While you may choose to try over-the-counter medications first, if you aren’t getting relief from your symptoms then you must turn to our Fort Walton Beach and Crestview FL podiatrists Dr. Cosimo Ricciardi and Dr. Neil Patel.


When should I see a podiatrist about toenail fungus? 

Some people can get the results they need from over-the-counter medication; however, this isn’t always the case. Antifungal creams are unable to penetrate through the nail, which means that the medication often doesn’t get to the infection. Therefore, if you’ve been trying to treat this problem on your own and you don’t notice any changes (or you notice that the fungus keeps returning) then this is a sign that it’s time to see a podiatrist.


How can a podiatrist treat my nail fungus? 

One way your podiatrist may treat your nail fungus is with an oral antifungal medication, that works systemically rather than being applied locally to the infected area. This makes it far more effective than an over-the-counter cream designed to treat nail infections (also known as onychomycosis).

However, sometimes a podiatrist may recommend getting laser therapy to treat a toenail fungus. The laser system we use here at our practice is FDA-approved to treat and kill the fungus that infects nails. This UV light will penetrate through the nail to kill the fungus without damaging or harming the skin or nail.


What should I expect from laser treatment? 

Laser therapy is incredibly effective at getting rid of nail fungus. This painless and non-invasive treatment only takes about 10-15 minutes. Some people may get results with just one session while those with more severe infections may require repeat treatments for 2-3 months.

It can take anywhere from 6 months to one year for the nail to grow back clear. This is a safe and effective way to treat nail fungus that just doesn’t seem to be responding to other treatments. If you are dealing with this problem, and have been for a while, then laser treatment may be the next step.

At Emerald Coast Podiatry in Fort Walton Beach and Crestview, FL, our podiatric team treats everything from fungal infections and plantar fasciitis to ankle injuries and arthritis. If you want to discuss getting laser nail fungus treatment call Dr. Cosimo Ricciardi and Dr. Neil Patel today at (850) 862-4119.

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Crestview Office

Fort Walton Beach Office

Hours of Operation

Monday:

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:30 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:30 am-4:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed