Wertheimer article 3 – 10-25-04

 

SHOULD I TREAT MY NAIL OR NOT?

 

Nail fungus does not spread to internal organs.  Congenital considerations, trauma from miss-fit shoes, direct injuries that do not affect the nail for weeks to months after happening, or yeast infections can all mimic fungus growth.

 

Fungal infections are not commonly contagious and they do not spread easily between patients.  Simple precautions, such as wearing shower shoes and slippers are always recommended, and besides, cannot hurt.  There appears to be an immune response factor that makes certain people more apt to contract a fungus.  An analogy can be made using the example; if 100 people are in a room with someone having a severe upper respiratory infection only one or two might catch the illness and all the others do not.  Medicine is not quite certain how this occurs.

 

Studies have shown diabetics have three times the chance of developing a fungus nail condition over non-diabetics. 

 

My advice is to have treatment when the following exists:

 

  1. There is a noticeable spreading of the nail fungus to other toenails or the nail changes on your toes are noticeably “spreading”.
  2. You develop skin changes like itching, redness, dryness, or any skin eruptions on your toes and feet along with your nail changes.
  3. There is pain associated with the nails or you cannot wear enclosed shoes without feeling discomfort.
  4. The nail margins become red and/or swollen.

 

Treatment of fungus nails range form “thinning” of the nail plate with a process known as “debulking” and the application of an FDA accepted topical liquid or the taking internal (oral) medications.

 

Use of topical “over the counter” medications, herbal medications, vitamins or “tea tree oil” do not appear to have much effect on nails that have been diagnosed by the laboratory as a true fungus. These may be tried if the condition has not yet reached the stage of recommended treatment I have stated previously.

 

Barry A. Wertheimer, D.P.M.

Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics

Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine

Member, South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.