Fungal Nail Infection & Treatment

Fungal Nail

Fungal Nail Infection & Treatment

Fungal nail infection, or onychomycosis, is a common condition where fungi invade the nail unit — including the nail plate, nail bed, or matrix.
It causes discoloration (yellow, brown, white), thickening, brittleness, or even separation of the nail from the underlying skin.

At Michigan Avenue Podiatry, our foot specialists diagnose through a careful clinical exam — and if needed, use laboratory tests like KOH prep or fungal culture to confirm the infection.

Causes & Risk Factors

Fungal nail infections develop in warm, moist environments, making shoes, sweaty feet, and shared wet spaces (e.g., gyms, locker rooms) common risk factors.
Additional risk factors include:

  • Prior athlete’s foot or other fungal skin infections
  • Nail trauma, which can allow fungi to enter the nail unit
  • Age, poor circulation, diabetes, and immune system suppression can all increase susceptibility.

Symptoms to Recognize

Signs you may have a fungal nail infection:

  • Thickened, discolored nails (yellow, brown, or white)
  • Brittleness, crumbling edges, or distorted shape
  • Nail lifting from the nail bed (onycholysis) or separation
  • In some cases, discomfort or mild pain when pressure is applied (e.g., inside shoes)

How We Treat It at Michigan Avenue Podiatry

We offer a customized, evidence-based treatment plan depending on the severity and your needs:

  • Diagnostic Testing: We may perform KOH prep, PAS stain, or fungal culture to precisely identify the infection and guide therapy.
  • Nail Debridement: We carefully thin and pare the nail (debridement), which helps improve the effectiveness of topical treatments.
  • Oral Antifungal Medication: For moderate to severe cases, we may prescribe systemic agents like terbinafine, which have higher cure rates.
  • Topical Antifungal Therapy: When appropriate, we use prescription nail lacquers or solutions. These work best when combined with debridement and prolonged treatment.
  • Adjunctive or Advanced Treatments: Depending on your situation, we may consider newer topical agents, maintenance therapy, or even laser therapies (if suitable) to complement antifungal regimens.
  • Patient Education & Hygiene: We counsel you on foot hygiene, keeping feet dry, rotating shoes, and preventing reinfection

Preventing Recurrence

To reduce the risk of reinfection or spread:

  • Maintain clean, dry feet; change socks daily (especially after exercise)
  • Use breathable, well-ventilated footwear
  • Soak, trim, and file nails regularly as advised by your podiatrist
  • Treat any athlete’s foot promptly to prevent spread to nails
  • Use antifungal sprays or powders in shoes if needed

Why Choose Michigan Avenue Podiatry for Your Fungal Nail Care

  • Our board-certified podiatrists have deep expertise in diagnosing and treating onychomycosis.
  • We use state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to confirm infection and tailor treatment.
  • Treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all: we customize based on your health, severity, and preference.
  • We support long-term care and prevention, reducing the chance of recurrence.

Ready to Restore Healthy Nails?

If you suspect a fungal nail infection, call us at 312-701-0770 or schedule a consultation online. Let our foot & ankle specialists help clear the infection and guide you to healthier, stronger nails.