Fungal Nail E-Book Our podiatrists are passionate

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1 Fungal Nail E-Book Embarrassed to show your ugly nails in public? This guide will help you banish that fungal n a i l Have you tried treatments infection once and for all. that haven t worked? For an appointment, please call For more information visit our website Suite 7, 166 Brighton doubleviewpodiatry Road, Scarborough 6019 doubleviewpodiatry Our podiatrists are passionate about solving your discoloured nails.

2 Why are my nails ugly? The most common cause of thick, discoloured nails is a fungal infection. The same bugs that cause tinea (athlete's foot) can infect toenails. THESE BUGS LIVE under the nail on the nail bed. The nail provides a shield that helps protect the fungus bugs from harm. 2

3 How did I get it? Fungus is everywhere! Areas where lots of people go barefoot, such as swimming pools and hotel room carpets, are common places you can initially be exposed to the fungus. NAIL BARS THAT don't sterilize their instruments are another source of infection, the classic is the Bali pedicure. Some people can just be unlucky and have a greater tendency for fungal nail infections, especially if their immunity is reduced doubleviewpodiatry Suite 7, 166 Brighton Road, Scarborough 6019 doubleviewpodiatry doubleviewpodiatry 3

4 Why are fungal infections of the toenails more common than fingernail fungal infections? Fungi like to live in a warm, moist, dark environment. A foot in a shoe is the perfect place for a fungus to thrive, especially if your feet sweat excessively. 4

5 Will nail fungus go away on its own? It is very unlikely that a nail fungus will resolve without treatment. At the very least the fungus will grow slowly but in many cases the fungus can spread to infect a large percentage of the nail and spread to adjacent nails as well. shoes The fungus may pass to other members of your family, especially if you share bathrooms, and socks or walk barefoot on carpets. Our podiatrists are passionate about solving your discoloured nails. 5

6 What are the treatment options? Oral treatment Only available on prescription from your General Practitioner. A treatment course is generally 12 weeks or longer. This is an effective form of treatment but the medication may cause side effects and can affect liver function. Topical treatment There are many paints or lacquers on the market to treat fungal nails. Examples include Daktarin and Clearanail. To be effective they must be applied regularly, generally, once or twice a day depending on what product you use, until the infection has resolved. This can take 9-12 months. Hot laser therapy This involves the use of a laser that generates heat to kill the fungus. This treatment can be effective but can be uncomfortable due to the heat generated by the laser. Lunula Cold Laser Therapy Cold laser therapy is a relatively new and by far the most convenient treatment. The foot is placed under a laser that produces no heat. The laser acts at a cellular level stimulating blood flow and weakening the fungus. This allows the body s natural defence mechanisms to have a greater effect on the fungus. The process takes 12 minutes per foot. Generally four sessions are required at one week intervals, but this number will depend on the type and severity of the infection. The treatment is painless and very convenient. Studies have shown an improvement rate of up to 89%. 6

7 What should I do now? It is recommended that all thickened or discoloured nails be assessed by a podiatrist. An appointment with one of our podiatrists provides the following benefits: Thorough assessment of your nails and clinical diagnosis by a trained professional. Professional cutting and filing of the nails using sterilized instruments. Discussion about the most appropriate treatment option for you. Strategies to prevent the reoccurrence of the infection. For an appointment, please call For more information visit our website Suite 7, 166 Brighton Road, Scarborough 6019 doubleviewpodiatry doubleviewpodiatry 7