A Practical Approach To Treating Fungus Toenails

We Don't Dabble in Onychomychosis!
By Dr. Gary Prant, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S.

Fungus infected toenails also call "mycotic toenails" or "onychomycosis" is harder to cure than it is to spell! In fact until recently it was almost IMPOSSIBLE to cure! Now with the best pills and aggressive topical treament there is a great chance of curing thick, ugly, fungus toenails.

The pills for fungus toenails are taken for 12 weeks. The pill I use is called Lamisil. Clinical tests and feedback from mly colleagues around the country indicate that it is both safe and effective. The most common side effect is a slight upset stomach. Blood tests are done before you start the medicine and at 6 week intervals to monitor your liver. (Past antifungal drugs caused some liver problems. These problems are extremely rare with Lamisil.)

The old topical treaments have always been safe but offered very little hope of curing the problem.

Recently however there has been renewed interest in developing topical antifungals. The latest, (and in my opinion the most promising), topical antifungal is called Restore. We stock it and can provide it for you at a lower cost than the pharmacies charged for the older medicine. (We are not able to work through your prescription care so if you want to do that we'll write you a prescription and your pharmacy can order it for you.)

We also do a rather unglamorous treatment called nail "debridement." Debriding a toenail consists of cutting it, thinning it, and removing the loose debris under it. Nail debridement is painless, makes your nails look better right away, and helps the medicine penetrate to the fungus. The reason not everyone does it is that it takes time, takes the correct instrumentation, and since its decidedly "low tech", is poorly remunerated.

This is my current thinking and treatment approach to fungal toenails for most patients. Every person of course is an individual and specific details will vary.

Please do not hesitate to ask any questions now or on the phone, if you think of one later. Together we can cure your fungal toenails!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to help.

Sincerely,
Gary Prant, D.P.M.

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