Nail Fungus

Nail Fungus in Columbus, OH

Do you have an unusual yellow or white area under your toenail or fingernail? This could be a sign of nail fungus. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shari Hicks-Graham offers treatments for nail fungus to the residents of the Greater Columbus area.

What is Nail Fungus?

Nail fungus affects the bed of your toenails and fingernails causing a white or yellow spot just under the nail. At first, the condition may be only cosmetic, but if the fungus is not treated, the nail gets thicker and crumbles on the edges. Also known as onychomycosis and tinea unguium, nail fungus often accompanies athlete’s foot.

Nail Fungus Treatment Benefits

Mild cases of nail fungus may not require treatment, but the condition can get worse. Treatment will help eliminate the fungus and address the symptoms caused by nail fungus, such as:

  • Dull appearance
  • Thickening
  • Abnormal shape
  • Dark, yellow or white color
  • Uneven edges
  • Brittle and crumbling nail

In many cases, treatment for nail fungus allows the nail to re-grow to a natural thickness, but the nail may have an abnormal shape.

How is Nail Fungus Treated?

Over-the-counter medications are available for nail fungus and these methods usually work for mild cases. You may want to pursue stronger treatments for your nail fungus if:

  • You have a moderate to severe case as noted by pain, brittle/crumbling nails, and dark discoloration
  • You have not been successful with over-the-counter medications
  • You also have signs of athlete’s foot that should be treated first
  • You have recurring nail fungus

What Can I Expect From Nail Fungus Treatment?

As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Hicks-Graham is uniquely qualified to recommend an appropriate treatment for your nail fungus, such as:

  • Nail polish that contains prescription-strength active ingredients
  • Prescription nail cream
  • Oral medications

In some cases, the fungus cannot be treated with medications and Dr. Hicks-Graham may recommend laser treatments to destroy the fungus or surgery to remove the nail.

Nail Fungus Treatment Preparation

Dr. Hicks-Graham is best able to recommend an appropriate treatment for your nail fungus when she understands:

  • How long you have had symptoms
  • The severity of your symptoms
  • Any non-prescription medications or home remedies that you have used

Nail Fungus Treatment Recovery

The healing and recovery period for nail fungus depends on the treatment.

  • Prescription medications take six to 12 weeks to destroy the fungus. The nail may take four months or longer to re-grow.
  • If you have the nail surgically removed, it may take at least one year for the nail to re-grow.
  • Laser treatments for nail fungus are relatively new, but we advise our patients that the results are similar to oral medications.

How Much Does Nail Fungus Treatment Cost?

Nail fungus treatment at Downtown Dermatology is covered by your medical insurance. We will help you understand your portion of the cost after your consultation. Payment can be made by cash, check, major credit card or CareCredit® financing.

Is Nail Fungus Treatment Right for Me?

Nail fungus can lead to complications, such as:

  • Permanent damage to the nail bed
  • Moderate to severe pain
  • Infections that may affect your toes and feet

We highly recommend that you receive treatment if you have:

  • A suppressed immune system due to a medical condition or medications
  • Diabetes
  • Poor blood circulation to the feet
  • Poor nerve supply in your feet

Nail Fungus Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Hicks-Graham will determine the severity of your nail fungus, as well as complications that you may experience. She will recommend treatments and explain the expected outcome of the treatment. If you believe that you have nail fungus, contact us to schedule a consultation.Nail fungus may begin as a cosmetic concern, but over time, the fungus can spread deeper into the nail bed and to surrounding areas of your feet and hands. Because nail fungus can lead to serious complications, many people in the Greater Columbus area forego over-the-counter treatments and rely on board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shari Hicks-Graham.