Nail Fungus Specialist
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Desert Canyon Foot & Ankle
Podiatrists located in Avondale, AZ
If your nail has become discolored, grown thick and jagged, and lost its natural shine, you may have nail fungus. Nail fungus is not only unsightly, it can be painful too. Dr. Tawnya Pfitzer and Dr. Randall Brower at Desert Canyon Foot & Ankle diagnose and treat nail fungus and other foot-related concerns for men and women in the Avondale, Arizona, area. Be sure to make an appointment with them today to take the first steps towards treating nail fungus. You can schedule your appointment by calling the office, or by using the online scheduler.
Nail Fungus Q & A
What is nail fungus?
Nail fungus stems from a contagious fungal infection developing in the nail. It’s caused either by debris getting lodged under the nail, or by exposure to a fungal infection.
If the fungus is left untreated, the nail may become infected and could spread the infection to other areas.
What are symptoms of nail fungus?
Common symptoms of nail fungus include:
- Discoloration of the nail
- Thickening of the nail
- Jagged, dull nails
- Tenderness around the area
- Pain around the nail and the toe
- Redness or warmth to the touch
What causes nail fungus?
Nail fungus is caused by a buildup of debris under the nail, but many factors can contribute to this. One of the biggest causes of nail fungus is improper ventilation of your feet. This occurs when you don’t wear breathable socks or properly fitting shoes.
Going barefoot in public swimming areas and showers can also transfer the infection, as these areas are an ideal climate for fungus and bacteria to flourish.
How is nail fungus diagnosed?
To diagnose nail fungus, the Desert Canyon Foot and Ankle podiatrists first perform an examination of the nail. They also take a scraping of the debris in the nail — or of the fungus itself — which she sends to a lab to test.
This helps determine the best way to treat your nail fungus and find the cause of it.
How is nail fungus treated?
There are many ways to treat nail fungus. Treatments include:
- Over-the-counter creams and ointments
- Prescription creams
- Medical nail polish
- Oral medications
These are typically enough to remedy your problem. If these treatments don’t work, the team can also use laser treatments to remove the nail fungus.
To help prevent nail fungus, be sure to keep your nails cut short. Use caution when going barefoot in wet and humid environments, as these are prime conditions for fungus and bacteria to grow.
Nail fungus can be both painful and unsightly. Make your appointment with the podiatry team at Desert Canyon Foot and Ankle to get started clearing up your nail fungus today. Schedule your appointment online or by calling her office.
