Toenail Fungus: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Effective Treatment Options

When you need help with toenail fungus, call the podiatrists from Total Foot Care, serving Greenbelt and Ellicott City, MD: Dr. Richard Cohen, Dr. Jeffrey Steinberg, and Dr. Alex Lakner. We treat many patients with fungal infections to keep their feet healthy. Read more about how we treat toenail fungus and contact us to get treatment today.

What Are the Symptoms of Toenail Fungus? 

Your toenails are vulnerable to fungal infections because fungus thrives in warm, moist environments. Fungal infection of the toenails can cause:

• Discoloration of the toenails
• Thickened toenails
• Brittle nails
• Foul odor
• Pain or discomfort

If you think you have toenail fungus in Greenbelt, MD, come to Total Foot Care for diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosing Toenail Fungus

Symptoms of toenail fungus are unpleasant and sometimes unsightly, but do not delay an appointment out of embarrassment. Fungal infections are a very common problem we treat, so see your podiatrist as soon as you notice symptoms.

To diagnose your infection, the podiatrist will examine your foot and toenails. They may also collect a nail clipping or culture for further testing to identify the fungus.

Effective Treatments for Toenail Fungus

When we diagnose toenail fungus, it is important to follow through with your treatment plan until all symptoms subside and your nails are growing healthy. In mild cases of toenail fungus, over-the-counter and prescription-strength antifungal medicine can clear the infection. They can be taken orally or delivered through topical treatments. Mild cases may also respond to antifungal nail lacquers—nail polish that contains antifungal medication to target fungal nail infections. Other options for treatment include laser therapy, which can help kill fungal infections. In severe cases, we may recommend surgical removal of the toenail.

Get Treatment Now

If you have toenail fungus, do not delay seeing a podiatrist any longer. To make an appointment with Dr. Cohen, Dr. Steinberg, or Dr. Lakner, contact Total Foot Care, serving Greenbelt and Ellicott City, MD, at (301) 345-4087.