Toenail Fungus Specialist

What is toenail fungus?

Toenail fungus, medically known as onychomycosis, is a fungal infection that affects the toenails. About 10% of all people get toenail fungus, but it affects half of those 70 and older. When the same fungus infects your skin, it's called athlete's foot. 

What are the symptoms of toenail fungus?

Toenail fungus can cause nail issues such as:

• Discoloration (nail turns white, yellowish, or brownish in color)
• Crumbling 
• Thickening
• Partial nail detachment
• Cracking or breakage
• Odor coming from the nail

Usually, toenail fungus first appears in just one nail, but it can easily spread to the other nails or even affect all of your toenails. 

What causes toenail fungus?

Nail fungi rapidly multiply in warm, dark, and damp areas. The most common way to get toenail fungus is walking barefoot in any area like that. Common places to pick up nail fungus include public showers, saunas, and decks or concrete around swimming pools.

When should I seek treatment for toenail fungus?

Over-the-counter treatments for toenail fungus are generally weak and ineffective. Because toenail fungus can spread easily and is often stubborn, you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Suh as soon as you notice signs of toenail fungus. 

If you have diabetes, you have an increased risk of toenail fungus as well as other types of infections, so it's extremely important to check your feet for problems every day and seek diabetic foot care at DFW Foot and Ankle promptly if you have issues.

How is toenail fungus diagnosed?

Dr. Suh can diagnose your toenail fungus with a foot exam. He may take a small clipping or scraping sample from your infected nail for testing to identify the exact fungi involved. This can allow him to better focus your treatment when dealing with a stubborn nail fungus. 

How is toenail fungus treated?

At DFW Foot and Ankle, Dr. Suh may prescribe topical creams, paint-on nail lacquer, oral antifungal medication, or other treatments to eliminate your toenail fungus. 

He can also recommend strategies to help you avoid new fungal nail infections, such as always wearing shoes in public areas. 

Learn more about the solutions for toenail fungus by calling the DFW Foot and Ankle office, or click on the online appointment maker to arrange a visit with Dr. Suh now.