Nail Fungus

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Nail Fungus

Steven L Wolfington, DPM
630 Riverfront Drive, Suite 202
Sheboygan, WI 53081
920-457-6104

 

Foot Excercises and Stretches

Strengthen Foot Muscles

Pull the towel under your foot with toes/arch for 3 minutes at a time. Repeat 3 times

Plantar Fascia Stretch

Fill a small plastic water bottle with water and freeze. Roll bottom of foot on frozen bottle for 10 minutes. Wait 50 minutes before repeating. Repeat 3 times throughout the day. 

Heel Cord Stretch

Sitting on the table or ground, hold your leg straight out in front of you. Loop a towel or belt around the ball of your foot, holding the ends with one hand. With knee slightly bent, steadily pull the towel or belt toward you to stretch your calf muscles. Hold for 30 seconds and then relax. Repeat 10 times, 3 times daily. 

Achilles Stretch

Face wall, about two paces away and with one foot in front of you. Keeping both heels flat on the floor, lean forward into the wall stretching out your calf. Hold for 30 seconds then relax, repeat 10 times, 3 times daily. 

As always, you can contact our office to answer any questions or concerns.


Many people don't realize they have a fungal nail problem and, therefore, don't seek treatment. Yet, fungal toenail infections are a common foot health problem and can persist for years without ever causing pain. The disease, characterized by a change in a toenail's color, is often considered nothing more than a mere blemish. Left untreated, however, it can present serious problems.

Also referred to as onychomycosis, fungal nails are infections underneath the surface of the nail, which may also penetrate the nail. Fungal nail infections are often accompanied by a secondary bacterial and/or yeast infection in or about the nail plate, which ultimately can lead to difficulty and pain when walking or running. Symptoms may include discoloration, brittleness, loosening, thickening, or crumbling of the nail.

A group of fungi, called dermophytes, easily attack the nail and thrive on keratin, the nail's protein substance. In some cases, when these tiny organisms take hold, the nail may become thicker, yellowish-brown, or darker in color, and foul smelling. Debris may collect beneath the nail plate, white marks may frequently appear on the nail plate, and the infection is capable of spreading to other toenails, the skin, or even the fingernails.

Nail bed injury may make the nail more susceptible to all types of infection, including fungal infection. Those who suffer chronic diseases, such as diabetes, circulatory problems, or immune-deficiency conditions, are especially prone to fungal nails. Other contributory factors may be a history of Athlete's Foot or excessive perspiration.

You can prevent fungal nail infections by taking these simple precautions:

  • Exercise proper hygiene and regularly inspect your feet and toes.
  • Keep your feet clean and dry.
  • Wear shower shoes in public facilities whenever possible.
  • Clip nails straight across so that the nail does not extend beyond the tip of the toe.
  • Use a quality foot powder (talcum, not cornstarch) in conjunction with shoes that fit well and are made of materials that breathe.
  • Avoid wearing excessively tight hosiery, which promotes moisture. Socks made of synthetic fiber tend to "wick" away moisture faster than cotton or wool socks, especially for those with more active lifestyles.
  • Disinfect home pedicure tools and don't apply polish to nails suspected of infection.

Depending on the type of infection you have, over-the-counter liquid antifungal agents may not prevent a fungal infection from recurring. A topical or oral medication may need to be prescribed, and the diseased nail matter and debris removed, a process called debridement. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications.

In severe cases, surgical treatment may be required to remove the infected nail. Permanent removal of a chronically painful nail, which has not responded to any other treatment, permits the fungal infection to be cured and prevents the return of a deformed nail.




Steven L. Wolfington, DPM, Podiatrist - Sheboygan  
Sheboygan Foot Care, LLC
630 Riverfront Drive, Suite 203
Sheboygan WI, 53081
920-457-6104

 

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