What is going on with my toenails?- It Could be Onychomycosis

    It’s the time of year for flip flops and bare feet. It’s also the time of year where we see many people who are concerned with the look of their toenails. Onychomycosis or a fungal infection of the toenails can result in yellow or white, thickened toenails. Certain people are more likely to have onychomycosis, and risk factors include: diabetes, psoriasis, decreased immune system, nail trauma, increasing age, peripheral vascular disease, and fungal infection of the feet.

     There are other conditions that can also make nails look poorly, so it is important to confirm the diagnosis of fungus (tinea). An easy and painless procedure called a nail clipping biopsy can be performed to confirm growth of fungus in the nail. There are different treatment options depending on the severity of the infection and the health of the person. Options include: topical creams or polishes, oral medications, and laser treatments. Duration depends on the treatment chosen, but in all cases it takes between 9-12 months to see full results of treatment. This is due to the slow growth of the toenails.