How to Choose the Right Podiatrist for Fungal Toenail Treatment?

Fungal nail infections may range from being indiscernible to severely painful. Even though early stages of infection do not produce much pain, if allowed to grow and develop further, the infection surmounts into one tremendous case of mind-numbing pain. Fungal toenail treatment should be done soon after diagnosis and only under the expert assistance of a specialist, better known as a podiatrist. Podiatrists are doctors, who specialize in foot disorders and injuries and render adequate treatment, after thorough diagnosis.

Unless you are an individual who takes extra care of foot and does an occasional pedicure, it is not very likely that you will have contacts of licensed podiatrists or foot clinics up your sleeve. Here are a few tips to get you started on the quest of finding a suitable foot clinic or podiatrist.

·         Get referrals through family doctor: In order to see a reliable and authentic podiatrist, it is best advised to ask for referrals from the family doctor or general physician. Since people of the scientific community are connected to each other, it is quite likely that you may chance upon the perfect podiatrist this way. Also since podiatrists are specialists, they do not take new patients unless they are referred.

·         Perform some online research: In the recent times, there is no better source than the internet for caving out any sort of information. Since your browser saves your address, it will churn up only contacts of foot clinics that are located in the vicinity of your home. Although the websites do give customer reviews and experiences, that help to adjudge the creditability of a podiatrist, it does not lend an entire picture of his/her expertise. So, after you get the search results, shortlist a few and make further research on them.

·         Make an appointment: Do not hesitate to take a walk down to the prospective foot clinic and ask questions regarding their treatments, price and most importantly, hospital affiliations, license as well as certificates. Ask about the treatments they offer for fungal nail infections. A clinic which provides only oral medication and topical therapy and not laser treatment, is most likely to be an outdated one and does not carry the expertise to pose a comprehensive solution for your foot infection.

Remember, the podiatrist or foot clinic you choose, will determine the course of your treatment and its efficacy. A licensed and genuine foot specialist takes care to answer your questions and provide full diagnosis along with effective and long-lasting cure to your problem.

Different Types of Treatment for Fungal Nail Infection

Fungal infection of the nails, also called onychomycosis is a common condition, which arises due to several factors, like taking communal showers, wearing tight shoes for long periods of time and certain medical conditions such as Athlete's foot, compromised immune system and poor blood circulation. Whatever be the actual reason of this fungal disease, its removal is of prime importance, as delay in rendering treatment may only worsen the condition further, leading to heightened pain and infection. Treatment for fungal nail infection takes several forms, depending upon the stage or intensity of the infection. Let us delve deeper into the various modes of treating this problem.

·        Nail removal:

Once the infection has been diagnosed at the foot clinic, the podiatrist may simply remove the nail's top layer or a chunk of it, as this is the area, which first comes in contact with fungal colonies found in the soil or water, and routes them into the rest of the nail. This is a preliminary procedure and employed when infection is superficial. Follow-up care like regular trimming or filing of nails is recommended to keep them healthy.

·         Topical medication i.e cream:

Topical medications like creams are usually prescribed when the fungal infection is not very severe. Since nails are quite hard for external medications to penetrate, topical applications are traditionally less effective than oral medications for treating fungus. Antifungal applicants and lacquers such as Ciclopirox, Amorlfine, Jublia and Kerudin are approved for external application. They treat local fungus and prevent relapse of infection after cure. Having a success rate of 70%, they produce effective results in a matter of 12 months.

·        Oral antifungal treatment:

Oral therapy is the most recommended treatment for fungal infections, as it is effective most of the time and sometimes the only option to get rid of thick nail fungus. Effects of the treatment may be visible only after a year, because that is the time needed by the old nail to grow out. Antifungal oral medications include, Terbinafine, Griseofulvin, Itraconazole and Fluconazole.

Foot clinics nowadays, may resort to innovative treatment for this disease like photodynamic therapy, laser treatment and use of electric currents. Many a time, a combination of traditional treatment with an innovative treatment, speeds up healing and makes it more effective. So, to get rid of your problem, first consult with a foot care clinic and then take the right treatment as suggested by the specialists over there.

Cure nail fungus through Fungal toenail treatment from a podiatry clinic

Fungal infection in the toenails needs to be treated right from the beginning stage. Fungal nails or onychomycosis is caused when your feet are exposed to damp places where there us a pool of fungi such as mould or deramtophytes. These fungi can be found even in your shoes. Your feet get affected by these fungi when there is a bruise or injury there. It spreads to another person when the spores from the feet drop to the floor and when another person steps on it bare feet and if the person has a cut on it.

Choose the best podiatry clinic

When you need a finger toenail treatment, you need to choose the best podiatry clinic in your neighbourhood. Podiatry clinic provides you treatment related to fungal infection, feet and nail treatment and care for legs and ankles. You will get the best care for your feet that will help you to remain healthy. It is a fact that caring for your nails and feet is very essential if you need to stay fit. Since your feet carry the whole pressure of your body, it does need the right care which most of us do neglect.

Get rid of corns and calluses

Going to a podiatry clinic will provide you with the best care for your feet and nails that you have always longed for. The podiatrist can give you treatment for corns and callous too if you have a flat foot. With the right care from a podiatrist, you can find relief from the pain that you have been experiencing on your foot or nail beds. The podiatrists at a podiatric clinic can give you better advice on foot care and nail care and can design for you a customised foot wear that will help you to decrease your foot pain.

Get rid of foot pain

With proper Fungal toenail treatment from a podiatry clinic, you will be able to walk without pain or tension and move ahead with confidence. Fungal infections on nails tend to be very painful for you to even step into your shoes. With the proper treatment from a podiatry clinic, you will be able to cure the infection within no time.

Give proper care for your feet

Caring for the feet is very essential for diabetic patients. With the guidance and the right care provided to such people, infections can be prevented to a very large extent. Senior citizens too can avail such services since they will find it very difficult to take care of their feet all by themselves. 

Where to get the best fungal nail treatment

Nail fungus which is also known as onychomycosis is a common condition that has been affecting a large number of people worldwide. This can cause the nails to become discoloured or take a yellow colour, and make it thick and brittle. The nail is soon separated from the nail bed. You will find it very difficult to wear a pair of shoes and you will find it painful while walking. When you are affected by nail fungus, you need to get a good fungal nail treatment from a podiatry specialist.

Choosing a podiatrist

Podiatrists are licensed professionals who need to complete a four years of education from a podiatric college. They are trained health care professionals who are able to treat fungal nails, calluses, corns and ingrown toe nails. They are also able to treat problems such as heel spurs, foot injuries and ankle injuries. If you want to take treatments for infections in foot, diabetic foot problems and deformities, a podiatrist can give you a better treatment. They can give you a physical therapy or even can perform a surgery if necessary.

How to find the best podiatry clinic

With a large number of people taking good care of their feet, the need for a podiatry clinic has become a necessity these days. Finding a quality podiatry clinic is possible when you do a good research online. A good research will help you give the list of podiatry clinics in your neighbourhood, allowing you to reach out for a perfect foot and nail treatment without any delay.

Care your feet to care for your health

At a podiatry clinic, you will be able to get the best foot and nail treatment that can help you get back the health of your feet the proper way. You will be provided treatment that includes laser therapy, medication, and lots more from here. Caring for your feet is very essential for a better health. Old people who are not able to bend down and take care of their feet can always take the help of a podiatrist for the same. Bed ridden people too are given special care by such clinics. People with diabetics are advised to take good care of their feet, as a minor infection or injury in the legs can have a lot of negative effects on them. Taking the services of a good podiatry clinic can be of great help to you, as caring for your feet is the first step to stay healthy.