Nail Fungus Treatment in Miami, FL

If you suffer from toenail fungus (onychomycosis), and would like comprehensive and highly effective removal and treatment, our specialists at the office of Dr. Barry M. Tuvel, DPM is the ones to call. We provide comprehensive toenail fungus treatment using specialized medications and procedures — including laser treatment — for patients in Miami, FL, and the surrounding region. Read on to learn more about toenail fungus and contact our office at (305) 279-2499 to schedule a consultation today!

About Nail Fungus

Nail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a condition that occurs when a microscopic fungus enters either a fingernail or toenail. Fungal infections occur in toenails more often than in fingernails. Anyone can get nail fungus, but infections are more common in people over the age of 60. For people who have diabetes or a weakened immune system, nail fungus can present serious risks. Usually, nail fungus occurs when the fungus enters the nail through a small trauma (cut or break) in the nail. Nail fungus is not caused by poor hygiene. Nail fungus can be spread from person to person. It may be hard to determine exactly where or how a fungal infection is acquired. However, a warm, wet place (for example, a locker room) is a good place for a fungus to grow.

A nail fungus infection can make nails thick and discolored. In more severe cases of fungal infections, you may feel pain in your toes or fingertips.

Our specialists may be able to tell if you have a nail fungus infection by looking carefully at your nails. He or she may scrape some tissue (nail biopsy) from under a nail and look at it under a microscope or send it to a lab to determine what kind of infection you have.

Toenail Fungus Prevention

Toenail fungus is an unpleasant and uncomfortable condition that afflicts people of all ages around the world. Thankfully, it’s also easily preventable. Here are a few tips to prevent fungus on your toenails, from our podiatric specialists at the office of Dr. Barry M. Tuvel.

• Avoid walking barefoot in public areas, such as locker rooms. Keep the inside of your shoes dry and change socks frequently (100% cotton socks are recommended)

• Wear shoes that fit properly (shoes with a wide toe area and ones that don’t press your toes)

• Use an absorbent or antiperspirant to keep your feet dry.

Toenail Fungus Treatment Options

The two most common nail fungus treatment options are the use of medication and targeted laser therapy. We offer both at our office. Learn more about these treatment options below.

Medication

Treatment for a nail fungus may include topical creams or oral medications (antifungal drugs). Oral drugs, such as Lamisil, can cure, or improve about 50% of nail fungus infections. After a detailed assessment of your particular fungal infection, our podiatric specialists will prescribe a mediation that best fits your condition. Often, a good regular podiatric debridement may be the best option to improve cosmetic appearance and decrease a thick nail that can cause pain in shoe-gear. Rarely, surgery may be required.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment is also a highly-effective means of eliminating toenail fungus. The laser, a concentrated beam of light energy, vaporizes fungus on the toe without affecting the surrounding tissue. Different wavelengths of energy are used in order to selectively treat different-sized fungal infections. Studies have shown promising results in eliminating existing toenail fungus, but it has not been proven that lasers are effective in eradicating toenail fungus infections altogether.

Treatment Procedure and Costs

Laser toenail fungus treatment can be performed in our office and takes approximately 20 minutes. Four or five separate visits may be required for full fungus removal. Our laser beam operates at two separate wavelengths to destroy any pathogens as well as visible fungus. No anesthesia is required to perform the procedure. To date, this procedure is not covered by medical insurance, since toenail fungus is considered to be a cosmetic disease. Thus, our laser treatment is not a covered service under insurance plans, with pricing determined by the number of visits and intensiveness of the procedure.

The laser procedure is not painful and relatively quick. There are health or age restrictions, and, to date, no clinical reports of any side effects or adverse reactions. To learn more, we recommend scheduling an appointment with our podiatric professionals for an initial consultation.

For fast and effective toenail fungus treatment, schedule an appointment with us at (305) 279-2499 today!