Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment Specialist

What Causes Toenail Fungal Infections?

Onychomycosis, or any fungal infection that affects your nails, is a common nail disease. The microscopic organisms that cause nail infections thrive in warm, moist environments, and don’t need light to survive.

These fungi are so small they can invade your body through openings in your skin that you can’t even see, including minuscule gaps between your nail and toe. Several factors can increase your risk of getting a toenail fungus, including:

• Living in a hot, humid climate
• Walking barefoot around public pools, showers, or locker rooms
• Spending a lot of time in the water
• Wearing tight closed shoes (especially if your feet sweat)

Older adults are more prone to developing a toenail fungal infection, as are adults with chronic, untreated athlete’s foot or those who have had a previous nail injury or contamination. Psoriasis, diabetes, and poor circulation are other factors that can increase your risk of contracting a toenail fungus.    

What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like?

Most toenail fungal infections first appear as a white or yellow dot under the tip of the nail. As the fungus spreads, it can cause your nail to thicken or become discolored, often by turning white, black, yellow, or green. You may also notice one or more of the following signs or symptoms:

• Toenails that split easily or crumble at their edges
• Toenails that lift more efficiently because they’re not firmly attached
• Toenails that turn white and feel soft, powdery, or dry

Although most fungal infections don’t initially cause any discomfort, they can become quite painful as they progress, sometimes making it difficult to wear close-toed shoes.

How Is Toenail Fungus Treated?

It’s best to treat toenail fungus early on before it’s had a chance to progress deep into the nail bed or spread to any of your other nails. Traditional treatment methods, such as oral antifungal medications or medicated nail creams, can be useful, but they often take several weeks or months to eliminate the infection.   

As a podiatrist who prides herself in providing the latest and most innovative treatments available, Dr. Coletta is pleased to offer noninvasive laser therapy, a cutting-edge approach that can eradicate even the most stubborn fungal infections safely, gently, and effectively.

By sending tiny pulses of laser energy through your nail to target the underlying fungus, laser therapy acts to heat up the pigments in the fungus, effectively destroying the invading microorganisms and clearing up the infection without damaging your nail, skin, or surrounding tissues.  

If you’re ready to banish toenail fungus for good, call Dr. Coletta’s office or schedule an appointment online today.