Toenail fungus can spread and fester underneath your nails if you don’t treat it at the first sign of trouble. Ruben Nieto, DPM, and the team at Diabetic Foot and Wound Center in Bakersfield, California, know how quickly fungus can damage your nails and surrounding skin. That’s why it’s important to eliminate toenail fungus the moment you see it. To schedule an appointment with Diabetic Foot and Wound Center, call or book online today. Same-day and next-day appointments are available, plus telehealth.
Toenail fungus begins as a small white or yellow spot underneath your nail. Also called onychomycosis, toenail fungus develops from certain bacteria, yeasts, and molds. Once the fungus penetrates your nail, typically through small cracks and breaks, it can spread and infect your surrounding nails.
You may have toenail fungus if any of your nails are:
If you have chronic venous insufficiency, diabetes, or another chronic health problem that negatively affects your circulation, wound care services can prevent infection, gangrene, and further complications. At Diabetic Foot and Wound Center in Bakersfield, California, Ruben Nieto, DPM, and the wound care team offer appointments seven-days-a-week. To schedule an appointment, call the office, book online, or walk-in today. Telehealth is also an option.
When toenail fungus begins to fester, it can start to smell foul. If your toenail is oozing blood or pus, you may have an infection that requires treatment at Diabetic Foot and Wound Center.
Anybody can get toenail fungus, but it’s most common in people with sweaty feet and older adults who have thickened toenails. Other factors that put you at risk of toenail fungus include:
You’re also likely to get toenail fungus at some point if you regularly use public swimming pools.
In many cases, topical solutions may be enough to eliminate your toenail fungus. Once the fungus spreads, however, you may need oral medication to treat it.
Toenail fungus is especially difficult to treat if it doesn’t respond to topical treatments, such as medicated nail polish. Surgical intervention is sometimes necessary to completely eliminate the fungus.
The team at Diabetic Foot and Wound Center offers debridement to separate the infected nail from the tissue underneath. In some instances, they may recommend completely removing the nail to apply antifungal medication directly underneath.
If you’re prone to fungal infections, keeping your feet clean and dry whenever possible can significantly reduce your chances of toenail fungus. Trimming your toenails can also prevent bacteria and debris from becoming trapped underneath your nails.
With early intervention, you can treat toenail fungus before it begins impacting your daily life. To schedule an appointment with the team, call Diabetic Foot and Wound Center, or book online today.
