Nail Fungus Treatment
Nail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a common ailment that begins as a white or yellow spot underneath the tip of a fingernail or toenail. When the fungus travels from the toenail to your feet, skin and in between the toes, it’s called athlete’s foot. Untreated, nail fungus can cause serious deterioration of your nails and nagging pain. Spectrum Dermatology of Atlanta provides effective nail fungus treatment to preserve the health of your nails and prevent more outbreaks.
Without dermatology care, nail fungus will return often and persist in turning your fingernails or toenails into ugly, thick, discolored, and crumbly nails. There can also be a slight, unpleasant odor with advanced nail fungus. If OTC medications have not slowed or stopped the progression of nail fungus, you should see our specialists at Spectrum Dermatology of Atlanta as soon as possible for advanced treatment. With the proper professional care, nail fungus can be managed and outbreaks reduced.
Nail Fungus Causes and Treatment / Removal
Nail fungus is more common in older people. With age, nails become dry and brittle, easily cracked, which lets in fungus to cause the infection. Reduced blood flow or immune deficiencies also contribute to the growth of any nail fungus, making it difficult to defeat. Nail fungus can cause athlete’s foot or, a case of athlete’s foot can get into the nails, causing the nail fungus infection.
Dr. Susan Spitzler and Dr. Emma Murad, our skilled dermatologists, will likely examine your nails and obtain a clipping or scraping for testing to determine the type of fungus involved. Treatment can then be tailored to the specific infection. Nail fungus is hard to defeat, and reoccurrences are common, especially in those with diabetes, poor circulation or compromised immune systems.
Dr. Spitzler or Dr. Murad will likely prescribe oral and topical antibiotic medications as well as antifungal cream for regular use. Severe infections or those that cause significant pain may warrant removing the nail to better attack the infection. Our dermatologists can perform this procedure at our medical clinic in Alpharetta when necessary.
Call or message us online at Spectrum Dermatology of Atlanta if you battle with nail fungus and symptoms seem to be growing worse.