Are your toenails yellow, thick and brittle? It is estimated that 10 percent of Americans have toenail fungus. Don't be embarrassed by this podiatric condition(onychomycosis): it's more easily treated than you may think. At Affiliated Podiatrists, in Chicago, IL, your board-certified podiatrists see scores of patients who want normal, healthy toenails. Learn about Pinpointe Laser treatments which effectively eliminate toenail fungus in the Near North area.

The details on toenail fungus

The symptoms of toenail fungus in the Near North, Chicago area are familiar: thickened, yellow nails, brittleness, changes in shape and texture, and sometimes a vague odor. Often accompanied by athlete's foot, onychomycosis spreads from one foot to the other and to members of the same household via shared pedicure tools, towels, and shower tiles.

People develop onychomycosis for several reasons:

1. Moist, dark environments such as sweaty shoes and sneakers
2. Exposure to the fungus poolside, in the gym locker room or in other public places where people walk barefoot
3. Having a compromised immune system (patients with diabetes and HIV as examples)
4. Poor foot hygiene

Treatment options

Your podiatrist will examine your toenails for signs of fungal infection. While many doctors prescribe topical treatments and/or oral medications for this condition, the doctors at Affiliated Podiatrists. offer a more effective solution--laser therapy with the amazing Pinepointe Laser.

Performed in the office in about 45 minutes, laser treatment of fungal toenails is very comfortable, requires no special preparation and has no downtime. Typically, the doctor delivers a focused beam of light across the entire surface of the toenail, eradicating the fungus completely. He normally repeats the process overall ten nails to ensure no re-infection.

Afterwards , nails grow out straight, clear, and without that yellow or brown color characteristic of fungal nails. You'll have completely new, beautiful nails within months. Antifungal powder for your shoes and some topical cream helps prevent reoccurrence.

Additionally, practice diligent foot hygiene:

• Wash your feet daily and dry them thoroughly
• Wear clean socks every day
• Avoid going barefoot in public areas
• Do not share toenail clippers or towels
• Wear well-ventilated shoes in the hot weather

What's your treatment goal?

Of course, your goal is toenails that look as good as they feel. If you have signs of fungal problems, please contact Affiliated Podiatrists for a consultation with a member of our professional team in the Near North, Chicago, IL, area. Call (773) 202-8800.

Find out how we can help you treat these common foot problems.

No one wants to face foot problems, but millions of Americans will deal with common ailments like bunions or fungal toenail infections. Isn’t it better that you are armed with the knowledge to know how to properly treat these issues should you have to deal with them? Our Chicago, IL, podiatrists are here to share the best ways to manage these foot problems.

Bunions

There are various lifestyle changes you can make to prevent your bunion from progressing. Catching the bunion early on will certainly make treating your condition easier. Our Chicago, IL, foot doctors might recommend:

• New footwear
• Custom orthotics
• Bracing or splinting the foot
• Foot exercises

Most of the time these simple at-home measures are all that’s needed to eliminate symptoms and to prevent bunions from getting worse. Of course, those who have been dealing with severe bunion pain for over a year that haven’t found relief in more conservative measures may require surgery.

Fungal Toenail Infections

Fungus is all around us, and boy does it love to live in moist, dark environments! So if you don’t put on shower shoes the next time you enter the dorm shower or the locker rooms you may find yourself dealing with a nasty fungal infection.

Unfortunately, fungus that lies under the nail can be a bit more difficult to treat since topical treatments often can’t penetrate the nail to get to the fungus. While we can prescribe oral antifungal medications, those dealing with stubborn, chronic or recurring infections should consider PinPointe Foot Laser.

This laser treatment is able to penetrate the harder layers of the nail to heat up and kill the fungus that lies underneath. Plus, there is no recovery time and the procedure is completely safe. In most situations, one treatment may be all that’s needed although there will be follow-up visits after 4 months and 8 months to monitor your progress.

Your feet do a lot for you; isn’t it time you did something for them? If you are worried that you may have a bunion, fungal infection or other affliction then it’s time you turned to Affiliated Podiatrists in Chicago, IL, for the care you need to get back on your feet again.

As the weather gets warmer, many people prefer to wear sandals in the sun rather than socks and sneakers. However, with your feet more exposed, you may notice a toenail that looks looks ugly, discolored or is thicker than the rest. Toenail fungus is a common and treatable condition. Find out more about protecting your feet from infection this summer with help from your Chicago, IL podiatrist.

How does toenail fungus form in the first place? 
Fungus thrives in dark, moist and warm areas. Your feet, when inside of shoes all day, are the perfect environment for fungi. The fungus usually enters the toe through tiny cuts or scrapes which may be invisible to the naked eye. Feet commonly have reduced circulation, making it more difficult for to fight an infection in the toes. Additionally, people who are often in damp public areas, like locker rooms or swimming pools, are also more at risk for nail fungus.

How does one know if he has toenail fungus? 
Nail fungus begins with a yellow or white spot on the nail. As the fungus grows, it may cause the nail to present other symptoms. They include:

• thickening of the nail
• discoloration of the nail
• crumbling of the nail at its edges
• changes to the nail’s shape
• separation of the nail from the nail bed, known medically as onycholysis

Most over-the-counter medications do not work. Your Chicago podiatrist may recommend stronger, prescription medication. In the most stubborn cases of nail fungus, Laser or surgery to remove the nail may be necessary.

How does one protect my feet from infection? 
One of the most effective ways to prevent nail fungus is to keep your feet dry and clean. Be sure to wear fresh socks daily and change into a clean pair if they become wet. Anti-fungal sprays and powders available over-the-counter may also help reduce the chance of nail fungus. Always wear shower shoes in public showers or pools and socks in locker rooms. Finally, wear moisture-wicking shoes and socks to keep your feet dry and cool.

For more information on protecting your feet, please contact your podiatrist at Affiliated Podiatrists in Chicago, IL. Call (773) 202-8800 to speak with a friendly and knowledgeable associate about scheduling your appointment for a foot examination today!

Discover the best tips for stopping toenail fungus from happening to you this summer.

With the start of the summer, we also open the doors to local swimming pools and other fun outdoor activities. While we all want to enjoy our time at the community pool it’s important that we take the necessary precautions to prevent problems like toenail fungus. Here are some helpful hints from the office of your Near North Chicago podiatrist Dr. Marc Feder. We can help you avoid toenail fungus, while still getting to enjoy these glorious summer days!

Never go barefoot

This is probably the number one rule to follow if you want to avoid toenail fungus this summer. Fungus thrives in moist environments like public showers, pools and gym locker rooms. To avoid a toenail infection, always wear sandals or flip-flops, even when showering.

Wash feet every day

Just as we wash our hands every day to keep germs away the same should be done for our feet. After all, we do spend a lot of our day on our feet, so it’s important to thoroughly wash them with soap and water to remove dirt and bacteria that we might have picked up along the way. This is especially important after enjoying a day at the pool or other public area like the gym.

Keep nails trimmed

Keep nails at a manageable and clean length, making sure to always trim nails straight across rather than at a curve. Nails should be at the same length as the tip of your toe. Keeping toenails cleaned and trimmed will help to prevent fungus from making your nail a home.

Wear moisture-wicking socks

Once it starts to get humid out, we all want to wear shoes and socks that eliminate some of that unwanted moisture. While it might seem hard to picture wearing socks in the summer, if you are trying to prevent toenail fungus, then you do want to wear socks that effectively absorb sweat.

Wash shoes regularly

Since feet can get sweaty in shoes, particularly during the hot summer months, it’s now more important than ever to wash your shoes often. This includes everything from hiking boots to sandals. Shoes that haven’t been washed are great places for bacteria and fungus to thrive.

Try an antifungal powder

If you’re prone to getting toenail fungus, then you may want to take additional precautions and sprinkle antifungal powder into your shoes and on your feet.

Suffering from toenail fungus and looking for an effective treatment? Then contact your Near North Chicago, IL foot doctor today at Affiliated Podiatrists, Ltd. to schedule an appointment. Don’t deal with unattractive toenails during sandal season!