A fungal nail infection is one of the most common foot problems that we see here at The Foot Hub. It’s not an ailment that is likely to go away on its own, so it is always recommended that you start treating it as soon as you notice the problem. But what is the best way to treat fungal toenail infections?
There are some simple things you can try at home if it is not a severe infection or if it is in the very early stages. Some general advice to prevent infections from developing further includes keeping your feet dry and your nails clipped short. Make sure you use a different set of clippers for your infected toe nail so as not to allow the infection to spread to other nails.
If you are advised by a podiatrist or your GP that more targeted treatment is required to get rid of the infection, there are several ways to treat fungal toenail infections.
Topical Antifungal Treatment
A topical antifungal treatment can often be the first port of call for the treatment of a toenail infection. It could be in a cream, gel, ointment or spray form and is applied directly to the affected area. You will usually need a prescription for this, so speak to your GP or podiatrist about which would work best for your stage of infection.
Oral Antifungal Medicines
If topical antifungal treatments are having little to no effect on the infection, an oral antifungal may be a solution. The choice of what kind of oral antifungal medicine will suit you will depend on the type of fungus, where the affected area is and how it may affect any other conditions you may have or medications you are taking.
Photo Dynamic Antimicrobial Therapy (PACT)
When topical or oral antifungal treatments don’t work, it can be extremely frustrating. Often they can take weeks to have an effect and many patients give up as they don’t think it is working at all.
There is, however, a new painless fungal toenail treatment called PACT ®. Photodynamic antimicrobial therapy works through the interaction of light and photosensitive agents to produce an energy transfer which in turn produces a local chemical effect. This results in the destruction of the surface of the skin or nail.
First the nail is debrided as much as possible. Next a gel is applied to the infected area, and after a few minutes, a special LED light is applied for several minutes.
The length and frequency of the treatment will vary from patient to patient, so speak to your Sydney podiatrist about what course of nail fungus treatment would work for you.
Keryflex Nail Restoration
If you’re keen to quickly improve the appearance of your toenails, while simultaneously treating the nail infection, Keryflex Nail Restoration is a great option to consider. It is a resin which effectively builds an artificial nail over your real nail, but still allows the nail to grow underneath. This means it can be used in conjunction with PACT ® to achieve results quickly and get rid of your unsightly toenail.
If you suffer from a fungal toenail infection and aren’t sure what the best way to treat it would be, make an appointment with our experienced podiatrist in Sydney today. Our friendly team is ready to find the right nail fungus treatment for you and help you get your feet looking ship shape and summer ready, so call us now.
