Nail care

Mycotic nail treatment

Onychomycosis can be otherwise known as fungus or mycosis. Its frequency increases with sports activity or trauma to the feet. It can also be an athlete’s foot that has migrated to the nails.

Progressively, it is sometimes noticed by a detachment of the nail, a yellowing and/or a thickening of one or more nails on the foot. However, nail thickening is normal as we age and certain skin diseases can cause symptoms very similar to those of a fungal infection. When left untreated, it progresses rapidly and can become very resistant. Contact our podiatric clinic for nail treatment if such symptoms occur on your foot.

Podiatric services for mycotic nail treatment

Bathing to clean affected nails and soften for proper podiatric treatment
Thinning, cutting and clearing of the problematic nail
Advice and possibility of prescribing topical medication

Services

Symptoms of a mycotic nail

While some of these symptoms may not necessarily be a sign of a problem, such as normal nail yellowing with age, it is recommended that you see a podiatrist as soon as you notice any changes in the nail as a preventative measure.

A toenail fungus develops when a fungus enters the nail through tiny cracks or breaks in the skin. It then settles under the nail, where it feeds on the nail tissue, grows and reproduces. As the fungus grows and spores form, the mycotic nail changes color, thickness and composition. Eventually, the fungus itself can dislodge the nail and cause it to fall off.

Common causes of mycotic nails

Fungal infections, such as a mycotic nail, can develop anywhere on the body, but feet are especially vulnerable because our shoes provide a dark, warm and moist environment for fungi to develop.

Common signs and symptoms of mycotic nails can present in a few possible ways:

Yellow, brown or white discoloration of the nail
Thickening of the nail surface Brittleness, crumbling or chipping on or below the nail surface
Fragile or cracked nail
Unpleasant odors from the nail or surrounding skin
The nail is lifting from the nail bed
Symptoms can affect part of a nail, the entire nail, or several nails