01 Sep Get Your Feet Summer-Ready: Tackle Fungal Nails Before Sandal Season
The weather is finally warming up and you’re excited to bring out those sandals – until you look down and notice a toenail that’s looking a little… suspicious. The nail looks thicker than usual. It appears discoloured. Or perhaps it’s become brittle and crumbly. If you’ve been hiding it under nail polish or sports shoes, there’s no need to feel embarrassed.
Our podiatrists Trevor Proskewitz and Russel Rubin point out that fungal nail infections are quite common – but they won’t disappear simply by ignoring them. What’s more, new toenails grow rather slowly, so if you want to get rid of your fungal toenails for good, now is the time to do it before summer rolls in.
What exactly are fungal nails?
Fungal nails, medically known as onychomycosis, occur when fungi infect the nail or the area underneath it. These microscopic organisms thrive in warm, damp environments, which makes feet – particularly feet spending hours inside warm, sweaty shoes and socks – an ideal home.
A fungal infection can start at the edge or underneath the nail and gradually spread. As the infection progresses, the nail may become thicker, discoloured or brittle. In some cases, it can begin to separate from the nail bed.
Signs to look out for:
- Yellow, white or brown discolouration
- A nail that has become thicker than usual
- Brittle or crumbly edges
- Changes to the nail’s shape or texture
- The nail lifting away from the nail bed
Fungal infections can affect one nail or several, and they’re more common in toenails than fingernails. They can also occur alongside fungal skin infections such as athlete’s foot.
How do you get a fungal nail infection?
It’s not simply a case of having “unhygienic” feet. Fungi can spread through contact with contaminated floors, shoes, socks, towels or nail equipment. Places such as communal showers, swimming pools and changing rooms can also provide opportunities for fungi to spread. Having warm, sweaty feet does not help. And once a fungus gets into the nail, it can be stubborn. Unlike skin, nails grow slowly, so even after the infection is addressed, it can take months for healthy nails to grow through.
Treatment options for fungal nails
If you’ve spotted a suspicious toenail, your first option is probably to pick up an over-the-counter anti-fungal cream or nail treatment from your local chemist and hope for the best. While pharmacy products can be useful in some cases, they may not be enough for an established infection, particularly when the nail has become thickened. That’s because the infection can sit within or underneath the nail, making it harder for topical products to reach where they need to go.
Our podiatrists also warn against self-diagnosis since not every thick or discoloured nail is caused by fungus. Trauma, pressure from footwear and other nail conditions can cause similar changes. An assessment by our podiatrists can help determine what’s actually going on before deciding on an appropriate treatment approach.
Lunula Laser treatment for fungal nails
At footinjuryclinic, our podiatrists offer Lunula Laser as a non-invasive treatment option for fungal nails. Lunula Laser uses low-level laser technology and is designed to target fungal nail infections without damaging the nail. Treatment is generally well tolerated and there’s no downtime afterwards, meaning you can get on with your day once your appointment is finished. Importantly, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Your podiatrist will assess your nails and discuss whether Lunula Laser is appropriate for you, along with what you can realistically expect from treatment.
Why start treatment now
Did you know a toenail can take many months to grow out completely? So even if you address a fungal infection now, you shouldn’t expect an overnight transformation. Starting sooner gives healthy nail growth more time to emerge before you’re living in thongs, sandals and bare feet. Think of it as getting your feet organised before summer arrives – rather than wondering why you didn’t do it sooner.
Contact our clinics to get started
If a thick, discoloured or crumbly toenail has been quietly bothering you, consider this your sign to stop hiding it. An early assessment can help identify what’s causing the change and give you a clearer idea of your treatment options. We have three clinics in Bondi Junction, Barangaroo and St Ives, and you don’t need a referral to make an appointment.