Onychomycosis, also known as toenail fungus, is a common infection of the toenail. About 20% of the general population and 75% of the 60+ population are affected. Toenail fungus is more common in men compared to women.
What causes toenail fungus?
Multiple different species of fungi can contribute to fungal infection of the toenails. Fungi likes dark, moist environments which makes it prominent in areas like showers, locker rooms, and pedicure salons. Additionally, fungal infections of the skin of the foot (tinea pedis/athlete’s foot) can also spread to the toenail and vice versa.
What are the symptoms of toenail fungus?
Symptoms include the following:
Thickened nail
Discolored nail – typically white or yellow
Brittle nail
Nail that appears to have multiple layers or multiple nails
Nails that are separated from the nail bed or fall off
Odor may be associated with the nail
What are risk factors for getting toenail fungus?
Risk factors include the following:
Increased age
Sweaty feet
Athlete’s foot
Walking barefoot in damp public areas such as swimming pools, community showers, gyms
Having an injury to the skin of the foot or an injury to the toenail
Having a skin condition that can affect the toenail
Decreased immune system
Decreased blood flow to the foot
How can you prevent toenail fungus?
Prevention can include the following:
Wear shoes when you are in damp, community environments
Keep your nails clean and dry
Keep your nails trimmed and disinfect nail clippers after use
If you have sweaty feet, consider treatment with anti-perspirants.
Change socks throughout the day and wear a moisture wicking style.
Treat shoes with disinfectants or antifungal powders, spray, for UV light.
Chose a nail salon that uses sterilized tools for each customer.
Utilize nail polishes such as Dr. Remedy which have anti-fungal properties.
If you believe you have a fungal infection of your toenails or skin of your foot, contact Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa.
Treatment Options for Toenail Fungus
The foot and ankle specialists at the Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa recommend several effective treatment options for toenail fungus, including:
Topical Antifungal Treatments
Tolcylen
Various products can effectively treat both toenail and skin fungal infections. These include antifungal nail solutions, antifungal skin creams, antifungal foot soaks, and antifungal shoe sprays.
Topical treatments may require 6 to 9 months to complete, depending on the rate of nail growth.
By combining topical treatments with EBM-L1, treatment time can be reduced by 40%.
EBM-L1 is a medical-grade superfood that contains keratin, biotin, cysteine, type 1 collagen, calcium, and orthosilicic acid, all of which support healthy hair, skin, and nails. It has also been shown to increase the growth rate of nails by 40%.
The physicians at Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa would love to discuss all things onychomycosis and treatment with you! You can schedule a consultation for any of our 4 convenient Central Iowa clinic locations: Ankeny, Grimes, Des Moines and Fort Dodge by calling us at 515-639-3775!
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