Q: I’ve had toenail fungus for years. Is there a way to get rid of it and to prevent it from coming back?
A: Fungal infection of the toenails makes them thick and hard to cut. It can make them appear yellow, green, brown or black. A nail may also fall off. To prevent a fungal infection of the toenails, keep your feet as dry as you can. Try not to wear the same shoes all the time. Try to wear socks that do not trap moisture, such as cotton or wool socks. Wear waterproof shoes or flip-flops in public showers.
If you go to a salon for a pedicure, ensure the tools are sterilized or bring your own tools. If you suspect you have a fungal infection of the toenails, see your doctor for a diagnosis. Your doctor may prescribe an oral medicine to treat them. Sometimes, a doctor may remove the nail surgically or chemically or perform laser treatment. A laser beam can go deep into the nail tissue and kill the fungus. However, doctors are still studying how well this treatment works.
—Source: National Institutes of Health
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection, October 2015
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