Nail Fungus

?Nail fungus information and procedures on how to treat this problem. Read about these plastic surgery procedures and find a dermatologist who is a specialist in treating nail fungus.

There are many natural changes in finger- and toenails that occur with age. Fine ridges, for instance, may begin to develop from the cuticle to the nail tip. This and other changes are common, and are not a sign of poor health.

There are, however, nail conditions to watch out for, such as a small separation of the nail from the nail bed, a yellow or brown color, or a hardening, crumbling or thickening of the nail at the top edge. All of these conditions are symptoms of Onychomycosis, a common fungal infection.

Onychomycosis infects the nail bed under the surface of the nail. It can be caused by a variety of fungi. While unsightly, Onychomycosis is typically painless for several years after initial infection. However, if left untreated, the condition will worsen and can become so painful that simply wearing shoes or walking becomes unbearable.

Because fungi thrive in dark, moist areas?such as the inside of your shoes?Onychomycosis afflicts toenails more often than fingernails. Like mold or mildew, these parasitic organisms live on dead things?in this case, nail tissue. Once the fungus establishes itself on dead tissue, it excretes toxins into adjacent living tissue. As this tissue dies, it provides new ground for the fungus.

Once the fungus infects the nail, it digests the protective outer keratin layer. In response to this attack, the body produces excess keratin. This excess forces the nail to separate from the nail bed. The condition can spread to other toes and fingernails if untreated.

Fortunately, your dermatologist can prescribe both oral and topical treatments for Onychomycosis. If you're considering a nail fungal treatment, the following information will provide you with a good introduction to the options available. For more detailed information about how this procedure may help you, we recommend that you consult a dermatologist with experience in the treatment of nail fungus.

What are some of the most common benefits of this treatment?

How is this treatment performed?

How are the treatments performed?

How long do the treatments take?

Where are the treatments performed?

How much pain is there?

What can I expect afterward?

Ideal candidate:

Other important information:

Risks and limitations:

Costs:

Choosing a doctor:

Questions to ask your doctor:

Be sure to:

How do I finance this procedure?

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What are some of the most common benefits of this treatment?

Nail fungus can be unsightly and embarrassing. If left untreated, it can become quite painful and permanently disfigure the nail. Treatment kills the fungus and restores the nail to its normal strength and health.

How is this treatment performed?

Before your treatment, your doctor will arrange for a consultation to talk about the changes you?ve noticed in your nails and the different options available for treatment. Your doctor will begin with a complete medical history and an examination of your nails. He/she will scrape the nail, or material from under the nail, and test it for the presence of fungi. This test is important because other diseases such as psoriasis or lichen planus can mimic Onychomycosis.

Take this opportunity to ask all the questions you have about the elimination of this fungus. Learning everything you can about your options is the key to making an informed decision about your treatment. See Questions to ask your doctor below.

How are the treatments performed?

The following medications are most commonly used to treat Onychomycosis:

Ciclopirox ? a nail lacquer that is applied with a brush to the afflicted areas.
Fluconazole ? a fungistatic, which means it stops fungi from multiplying but doesn?t actually kill them. Available in pill form.
Griseofulvin - acts by forming deposits in keratin cells, preventing fungal infection of new cells. Most commonly taken in pill form. Eating a high fat meal helps your body absorb this medication.
Itraconazole - taken orally either in capsule or liquid form. Taking this medication with food helps maximize its absorption.
Terbinafine comes in both topical and oral preparations, but the oral treatments are considered more effective in curing nail fungus infection.

How long do the treatments take?

Because nails grow slowly, treatment can take six months or longer. Most treatments kill the fungus and stop its growth. Once the fungus has stopped reproducing, the nail should grow out normally.

Where are the treatments performed?

Your doctor will prescribe the medication likely to work best for you, and you will take it at home for the recommended length of time. You may be asked to make return visits for more tests, to make sure the treatment is working.

How much pain is there?

There is no discomfort associated with nail fungus treatments?they simply involve taking a pill or brushing a solution on the nail. You?ll only experience discomfort if you let nail fungi go untreated

What can I expect afterward?

Treating nail fungi is a lengthy process, so you?ll need to be patient and persistent in carrying out the treatment regimen. To reduce the risk of continued fungal infections, keep your nails short and your feet dry and clean, especially between your toes where fungi like athlete?s foot most often strike. Don?t walk barefoot around public pools, showers or locker rooms. Change your socks often, especially if your feet perspire heavily, and wear sandals when possible. Consider using an over-the-counter anti-fungal powder or spray.

Ideal candidate:

In general, the best candidates for nail fungus treatment are:

Individuals who are not pregnant or dependent upon oral contraceptives for preventing pregnancy (Griseofulvin users only).
Individuals who do not have lupus or porphyria (Griseofulvin users only).
Mature enough to fully understand the treatment process
Knowledgeable about the treatment
In good physical and psychological health
Realistic in their expectations

The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your doctor will consider in determining whether or not this treatment is appropriate for you. Be sure to ask your doctor if she/he considers you an ideal candidate for this treatment.

Other important information:

Although millions of Americans of all ages have nail fungal infections, this condition most often afflicts those over forty years of age. People with diabetes are at a greater risk of contracting nail fungi, as are those with a history of foot fungus such as athlete?s foot.

Risks and limitations:

Significant problems with nail fungal treatments are infrequent, but potential complications with specific medications include:

Ciclopirox? may cause burning, itching, redness, swelling, or other signs of irritation.
Fluconazole? possible side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dark yellow or brown urine, dizziness, skin rash, redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin, including inside the mouth. On rare occasions, Fluconazole has caused liver damage.
Griseofulvin? may interfere with oral contraceptives containing estrogen, resulting in unwanted pregnancies, and should not be taken during pregnancy. It may worsen lupus symptoms in patients suffering from lupus-like diseases and increase attacks of porphyria in patients with acute intermittent porphyria. It can increase the effects of alcohol including rapid heartbeat, increased sweating and redness of the face. Other possible side effects include sensitivity to sunlight, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and unusual tiredness. Rarely, Griseofulvin can cause liver damage.
Itraconazole?may cause nausea, headaches, fatigue, abdominal cramps, rash and potassium loss.
Terbinafine?may cause nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, flatulence, rash, and taste disturbances, such as making foods taste salty. Changes in the ocular lenses and retina have been reported. On rare occasions, Terbinafine has caused liver damage.

Costs:

Costs for this treatment vary, depending on the doctor, the location, medication used and the difficulty of the specific case. Please talk to your physician for more information.

Use our payment calculator to see what your monthly payments might be if you financed this procedure.

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Choosing a doctor:

It is very important that you select a physician adequately trained and experienced in this treatment. See our Physician Locator feature to find a dermatologist in your area, including detailed profile information for many of the listed doctors. Also read How to Select a Dermatologist for a more detailed discussion on choosing the right doctor.

Questions to ask your doctor:

Are the desired results I described realistic?
Is there an alternative remedy that I should consider as well?
How long will the treatment take?
How much does it cost?
What is your experience in performing this treatment?
What percentage of patients have had significant complications? (The physician should disclose this information to you.)
Will you repeat or correct treatment if it does not meet agreed upon goals? And if it must be repeated / corrected, will I be charged again? (The physician should provide you with his/her policy on this issue.)
May I see "before and after" photos of recent patients? (The physician should provide many photos of recent patients.)
Could I observe the exact treatment I am considering before I decide to have it done? (Either on videotape or ask to view one in real life.)
What should I expect during the treatment in terms of pain, what to watch for, bathing, and level of activity?
Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage denied, revoked, suspended?
Do you offer patient financing?

Be sure to:

Tell your doctor about any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements.)
Tell your doctor about all medications, herbal supplements or natural supplements you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription), including such natural substances as Echinacea and St. John?s Wort.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you smoke. Smoking can lead to complications and poor healing.
Carefully follow any instructions your doctor gives you.

The information on this web site is only intended as an introduction to this procedure. This information should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the result. The best method of determining your options is to consult a qualified dermatologist who can answer specific questions related to your situation.

How do I finance this procedure?

Did you know that 29% of all Americans have considered having an elective procedure? Of those, 60% would schedule a procedure immediately if financing was available. With iEnhance's patient financing options, money no longer has to be the barrier between you and your new image. By filling out our on-line application you can qualify for a loan in as little as 30 seconds.


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