Getting Your Feet Beach-Ready: Combined Treatment = Healthy Toenails!
Summer's just around the corner, but before you bare your toes and make moves for the beach, take a moment to assess the health of your toenails. Discolored, thickened, or crumbly nails can present both aesthetic issues and persistent discomfort, meaning you won’t have an easy time enjoying everything the season’s got to offer.
When it comes to onychomycosis, the fungal infection that affects millions of people each year, answers and treatment can both be elusive. Caring Podiatry is here with some certainty for you, however. The blog below offers answers and strategies to keep feet fungus free so you can focus on sunnier days ahead.
Shining a Light on Onychomycosis Treatment
Q-Clear Laser Therapy has emerged as a revolutionary tool in the fight against onychomycosis.
This painless procedure uses targeted laser beams to penetrate the nail plate and destroy the fungus at its source.
Studies have shown promising results: in one analysis featuring 131 subjects with onychomycosis, 125 (or 95.4%) had negative fungal cultures at a 3 month follow up appointment after being treated just twice with Q-Clear.
Since oral medications often feature unpleasant or harmful side effects, the future of onychomycosis treatment lies in a combined approach. Merging laser therapy with topical antifungal medications has been shown to be optimally effective:
Compared with topical antifungal agents alone, some studies suggest that laser and topical antifungal agent combination therapy is superior in terms of complete cure rate, clinical effectiveness, and patient satisfaction.
This synergistic approach not only improves treatment success but also potentially shortens treatment duration.
Beyond Treatment: Preventing Fungal Woes
As potent as the methods above might be, the best option is preventing a fungal infection from occurring in the first place.
Maintaining good foot hygiene remains vital in preventing onychomycosis. Keeping your feet clean and dry, especially after showering or swimming, and wearing properly fitted shoes are crucial.
Additionally, avoid sharing towels or footwear with others, as this can transmit the fungus.
Embrace the Beach with Confidence
Don't let fungal infections hold you back! With the latest advancements in laser therapy and combination treatments, clear and healthy toenails are more achievable than ever.
Are you struggling with fungal toenails? Contact our Monroe Township (609-860-9111) or Neptune (732-455-8700) offices to make an appointment. Podiatrists Andrew Schmierer, Craig Shapero, and Mark Fillari will be happy to assist you with the warmth, compassion, and expertise that Caring Podiatry is known for.