NAIL FUNGUS: DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

How do dermatologists diagnose nail fungus?

A dermatologist checks your nails and nearby skin to determine if you have nail fungus. It is critical to examine the skin since the fungus can spread. You may already have a fungus-caused skin illness, such as an athlete's foot.

To get rid of the infection, you will need to treat all infected areas.

Your dermatologist may take some samples before making a diagnosis. Collecting debris from beneath a nail, cutting a portion of your nail, or scraping off a piece of skin can all be very beneficial. These samples can be studied under a microscope in a lab to determine what is causing the condition.

Are you hiding an infected nail with nail polish?

Be sure to ask your dermatologist if you can wear nail polish while treating nail fungus.

How do dermatologists treat a fungal nail infection?

Treatment usually starts with your dermatologist trimming your infected nail(s) and cutting each infected nail back to where it connects to your finger or toe. The material under the nail may potentially be scraped and removed by your dermatologist. This aids in the removal of certain fungi.

To completely get rid of the infection, most people also need one or more of the following treatments:

The medicine you apply to the nail:

If you have a little illness, a drug applied to your nails may help you get rid of it. This treatment keeps new fungus at bay as the nails develop. Fingernails grow out about four to six months on average. Toenails take longer, often 12 to 18 months.

The most challenging aspect of this treatment is probably remembering to apply it on a regular basis. Some therapies must be used on a daily basis. Others require you to apply once a week. It is critical that you use these medications exactly as advised to have the best benefits.

The medicine you take: If you need more-aggressive treatment, your best dermatologist in Lahore may prescribe antifungal pills. These have a higher cure rate than the medicine you apply to your nails.

Antifungal pills also work more quickly than medicine applied to the nails. Taking antifungal pills for two months can cure an infection under the fingernails. Usually, three months of Nail fungus treatment in Lahore cure a toenail fungal infection.

Antifungal pills, however, can cause side effects. Your best dermatologist in Lahore will watch you closely. You’ll also need to have blood tests every month to check for problems.

Combination therapy: Sometimes, nail fungus is hard to clear. Studies show that taking antifungal pills and applying medicine to your nails can be more effective than using either treatment alone.

Nail removal: If you have a severe infection or other treatments just don’t work, your best dermatologist in Lahore may recommend removing the nail(s) to get rid of the infection. Your best dermatologist in Lahore will use one of the following techniques to remove the nail:

• Nonsurgical nail removal (a chemical is applied to the nail)

• Surgical nail removal

Your dermatologist can perform both types of nail removal in a medical office or a clinic. With either procedure, the nail can grow back. If the infection fails to clear, however, your dermatologist can treat the nail so that it cannot grow back.

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