Toenail fungus can be unsightly, but laser therapy at your Gainesville podiatrist's office can effectively treat it.

It's estimated that 10% of adults deals with toenail fungus at some point in their lives and Dr. Mukesh Bhakta treats many patients for toenail fungus at Prince William Foot & Ankle Center in Gainesville, Virginia. Toenail nail fungus, clinically known as "onychomycosis," is chronic but highly treatable with laser therapy.

Signs, Symptoms and Causes

Often the first sign of toenail fungus involves a thickening of the toenail. It can also become discolored; it can become white, green, black or yellow. The nail gradually becomes very brittle and can break off in places. Patients do not typically report pain unless they have inflammation as a result of the infection spreading outside the confines of the nail.

Toenail fungus is caused by various yeasts and molds building up on the nails. Older people are most often affected; this may be due in part to reduced blood circulation and nail growth. Overexposure to moisture, excessive sweating, or other skin conditions such as athlete's foot or psoriasis may also be at the root of the problem.

Diagnosis and Treatment

After a physical examination of the toenails, Dr. Bhakta will perform various tests at his Gainesville podiatrist's office. This may include a biopsy and examination under a microscope. Oral or topical antifungal medication may be prescribed, but many patients respond well to the laser treatments we provide at Prince William Foot & Ankle Center. This therapy was approved by the FDA in 2010. It concentrates the heat from the laser onto fungus, bypassing healthy tissues to destroy the structure of the fungus. Laser nail treatment is minimally invasive, quick, and painless. It is administered in Dr. Bhakta's podiatry office, and there should be little to no downtime following the procedure.

An experienced podiatrist like Dr. Mukesh Bhakta in Gainesville, Virginia should be the first call you make for any foot problems. If you think you may have toenail fungus, contact Prince William Foot & Ankle Center!

Dr. Mukesh Bhakta treats many patients for toenail fungus at Prince William Foot & Ankle Center in Gainesville, Virginia.