A fungus is a tiny parasite plant-like organism that grows and spreads in dark warm moist places that can infect the skin and the toenails and are very common in this part of Florida. When fungus infects the skin of the feet, we frequently refer to it as Athlete's feet. This infection makes the skin itchy and scaly and is most frequently found in between the toes. If self-treatment has failed with over the counter anti-fungus agents, then it is time for these skin infections to be evaluated by a podiatrist. A fungus toenail infection is when the fungus literally has invaded the nail and has started to live off of it. This can cause the toenail to abnormally thicken, loosen, swell, change color to yellow green or black, and finally become very painful. A fungus can also cause the corner of the toenail to grow in abnormally giving you an Ingrown Toenail. One of these complications is when the fungus toenail is allowed to become abnormally thick. This puts greater pressure on the top of the toe bone with the result that a bone spur forms on the very tip of the toe. This spur can be extremely painful in shoes and may require surgery to remove. Fungus toenails must be aggressively dealt with or they can spread to all of your toe nails. The longer the infection is allowed to go unchecked, the more difficult it is to treat, and the more complication you have from it. The medicines used to treat athlete's foot are normally totally ineffective against fungus toenails infections. There are many non-surgical treatments for fungus toenails that give long term relief by treating the underlying parasite infection, by cutting away in the Doctor's office all of the fungus tissue, on a regular basis. A word about the "New" wonder drugs for fungus infection, they work, but have many side effects, and are VERY EXPENSIVE. The normal cost of treatment for fungus toenails is about $500.00! Foot surgery should always be a last resort for fungus toenails, but if needed, it is done right in the podiatrist's office. There are many highly successful non-surgical treatments for fungus toenails that give long term relief by treating the abnormal infection. Back

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