Are your nails thick and yellow due to toenail fungus? Laser nail treatment offered by your Dulles and Gainesville, VA, podiatrists, Dr. Mukesh Bhakta and Dr. Anam Ali of Prince William Foot & Ankle Center, is the ideal solution if you have a stubborn fungal infection.

Why toenail fungus is so difficult to treat at home

Drugstore anti-fungal products only reach the first few layers of your toenails. No matter how often you apply the product, it will never penetrate deep inside your nail or reach the nail bed. If you don't treat those areas, the fungus will never go away. Although over-the-counter products might help if you only have a mild infection, they're much less effective at treating severe infections.

Treating toenail fungus is important

Toenail fungus isn't just an appearance issue. If the fungus thickens your nails, you may be more likely to develop ingrown toenails. As the fungus works its way through the nail, the nail could loosen and may even fall off. If you have diabetes, it's particularly important to treat toenail fungus promptly. An untreated fungal infection could increase your risk of cellulitis and other infections that could harm your health.

Laser nail treatment offers an effective way to treat fungus

Laser nail treatment in the Dulles or Gainesville, VA, podiatry office targets the pigments that give the fungus its color. The laser light heats the pigments, killing the fungus. During the treatment, your doctor uses short bursts of laser lights that heat the nail without making your toe uncomfortably hot. In fact, you may only feel a slight warmth or mild tingling sensation when the laser is activated. As soon as the treatment is over, you can resume your normal activities

When you'll see a difference in your nail

Laser nail treatment immediately kills toenail fungus, but it can't immediately make your yellow nails look clear. As the nail grows over the next few months, you'll notice the bottom part of your nail is no longer discolored. As the discolored part of the nail grows out, your entire nail will eventually become clear again.

Although laser nail treatment is very effective in treating toenail fungus, it won't prevent new infections. Fortunately, following these recommendations will help you avoid another infection:

• Don't walk barefoot around pool areas and locker rooms
• Avoid sharing shoes and socks with friends or family members
• Wear shoes made of breathable materials
• Change your socks and shoes when they get sweaty
• Use anti-fungal shoe spray

Would you like to finally get rid of your toenail fungus? Schedule a laser nail treatment with your podiatrists in Dulles and Gainesville, VA, Dr. Bhakta and Dr. Ali of Prince William Foot & Ankle Center, by calling (703) 753-3338.