(Foreword: This is the continuation of our response to Desperate Nails in Toril regarding her fungal problems on her toenails.)
DEAR Desperate Nails in Toril,
Alright, let’s focus more on what we can do to solve your problem.
Before we move on to the treatment, I want you to see your physician or a dermatologist firsthand just to see to it that this is really a fungal condition so that we can deliver the right medication to you. Or else, you will just be wasting your time and your money for a treatment that won’t work. Remember that other toenail problems such as psoriasis which could also appear like a fungal infection. What a podiatrist or a dermatologist would usually do is scrape off some of the affected part of the toenails and send it to a lab to find out what is really causing the problem.
Now, if this is really a fungal infection then the following treatment could help you ward off this nasty problem. But remember that however you treat your toenail fungus would depend greatly on how bad is the fungal toenail infection you have.
You may try one of the following or combine one with the other.
1. A topical cream that you can apply right on the nail
2. A topical nail lacquer
Remember, if you use this or the topical cream, you have to be patient as it will take about 4 to 6 weeks for you to see results. So, just keep hanging on.
3. Remove the damaged area of the nail or skin
Well, if your physician would see that topical applications won’t help a lot, he or she would decide to remove the damaged area of your nail or skin. What is important is your doctor will do this and not you doing this by yourself.
4. Total removal of the nail with surgery
Hmm...If your physician thinks that your nails are really super damaged and removal of the damaged part only wouldn’t help then he or she would decide to remove the whole nail. But don’t worry; your body will grow another nail in less than the time you expected.
5. Take care of your toes
This is one of the most important things that you need to do for your toes. There are some necessary protocols that you need to know. But, then, as we are out of space for now, so, let me again continue this in my next issue. Until then!
Dr. Fritz
(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15 year stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.” She is also a faculty in a College of Pharmacy. For your questions, you may send them to Dear Dr. Fritz, c/o SunStar-Davao Publishing Inc., Ebro-Pelayo Building, Jacinto St., Davao City, (former Department of Foreign Affairs office), across Ateneo de Davao University and beside Holy Child School of Davao, or you e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don’t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we cannot answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)