Diabetes is known as a slow killer, and it can alter your lifestyle forever. If you or your loved one is diabetic, you must take special care of your personal hygiene to avoid bacterial or fungal infections. However, unknowingly, one might get a toenail fungal infection for various reasons. Getting nail surgery may not be the best option for some patients. Unfortunately, fungus growing in the toenail can invade the body through cracks in the skin and cause irreversible damage. So, as a diabetes patient, what can you do to treat a toenail fungus?
Footwear
Choosing the right footwear is vital for curing the toenail infection. The shoe should not be too tight, as it can cause pain. Moreover, warm and damp spaces are the perfect breeding environment for fungi. Wearing shoes that fit you properly is vital for healing. You can also consult your doctor for further recommendations.
Medicines
In the early stages, toenail infections can be cured with ointments and topical and oral medications. Some of the drugs used to treat toenail fungal infections can interfere with other medications and have side effects. Therefore, before starting any medicine, consult with your doctor. Medicated nail polishes can also be an effective mode of treating the fungal growth. Nevertheless, these methods will only work if the infection is contained to only one or two toenails and is not severe. For diabetic patients, infections can aggravate quickly. In case the infection becomes chronic and recurring, you may need to think of an alternative mode of treatment, such as surgery.
Surgeries
Simple and minor cosmetic surgeries can have serious complications for diabetic patients. Hence, diabetic patients usually steer clear of surgeries. However, laser treatment can be a safe option for them. Laser surgeries are painless and non-invasive. These surgeries can require multiple sessions to get the best results, depending on the infection's complexity.
Proper consultation
The most important step for treating such infections is getting expert medical guidance from your doctor and podiatrists as soon as you notice any abnormality in your toenails, such as foul odour, brittleness, or discolouration. If toenail fungal infections are left untreated, they can become severe, leading to diabetic foot ulcers and even amputation. Foot Clinic London offers an array of toenail fungus treatments in London for diabetic clinics. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities and experienced doctors who take special care of each parent based on their personal medical history.