There are several types of fungal nail infections to be aware of:
- The most common in both children and adults is distal subungual onychomycosis. This begins at the ends of the nails and raises the nail up. Risk factors can include a family member with infection, swimming, athletes’ foot, psoriasis, diabetes, and aging feet.
- The second type is less common. It starts at the base of the nail and spreads toward the rest of the nail It is called proximal subungual onychomycosis. This is more commonly seen in patients with a damaged immune system.
- The third type is causes by a yeast infection called candida and may also cause an infection of the cuticle.
If your toenails are turning white, yellow, or brown under the tip of the nail, see your Podiatrist for early treatment and advice. As the fungal infection progresses, the nail becomes more discoloured and thickens. The nails can also become fragile, crumbly, and deformed. Fungus can also make your feet smelly, which is even more reason to get started on treatment early!
It is important to seek treatment quickly if you have diabetes or other circulatory conditions and you think you might be developing a foot fungus. If you have bleeding, pain or swelling around the nails book at an appointment with your Podiatrist as soon as you can.
A rapid test at the Melbourne Foot Clinic can determine if the problem is fungal. At other times, we take a sample cutting of your nail and send it to pathology for diagnosis. It is quite possible you might have a different condition, so we need to be clear of the diagnosis before treatment.
Your podiatrist will determine the right treatment with you.
Management and prevention can include:
- Your podiatrist removing damaged parts of nail and skin.
- Apply topical treatment to both nails and skin to avoid spreading.
- Topical fungal treatments combined with micro-drilling.
- Oral Anti-fungal medication prescribed by your doctor to ensure there is no interaction with existing health problems and medications.
- Prevent reinfection by washing feet with soap and water.
- Keep shoes and feet dry.
- Wear shoes in public places such as swimming pools.
- Avoid nail bars that do not sterilise instruments between patients in an autoclave.
- Avoid applying nail polish to infected nails.
- Use a separate nail clipper for infected toenails.
- Do not attend an unhygienic nail bar if you have diabetes or a compromised immune system.
- Fungus loves warm, moist, dark areas so avoid closed tight shoes with socks that retain moisture.
A fungal infection can be slow and difficult to treat. It may take a variety of treatment strategies and some months to resolve. It is also quite contagious and can lead to serious ulcerations and infections for those people who are immuno-suppressed.
Your podiatrist will advise early treatment and prevention strategies to minimise the risk a chronic fungal infection.
Local Melbourne suburbs we service
With a priority on keeping people healthy, Melbourne Foot Clinic provides a wide range of professional services for people across Melbourne’s East. Our patients travel from all over Victoria to see us at our foot clinic in Mont Albert, with most coming from the following locations:
Mont Albert Podiatrist
Mont Albert Podiatrist Near Box Hill
We use cutting edge technology and offer excellent services to many residents of Box Hill.
Mont Albert Podiatrist Near Surrey Hills
Our podiatrists are experts in providing biomechanics, orthotics, and foot pain for patients from Surrey Hills.
Mont Albert Podiatrist Near Camberwell
Our podiatrists are specialists in treating clients’ problems across Camberwell and Melbourne’s East.
Mont Albert Podiatrist Near Balwyn
Reputable podiatrists servicing the residents of Balwyn with outstanding results for years.
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