Onychomycosis is a very common podiatric problem involving the toenails. The diseased nails become discolored, thickened, and malodorous, The nail begins to loosen from the nail bed and cuticle (onycholysis) and may grow multiple layers. When the toenail has grown large, thick, and distorted in shape and appearance, the nail is called Onychogryphosis. The cause of onychomycosis may be fungal, yeasts, molds, bacteria, and or a combination, which is often the case. Laboratory analysis is the best way to identify the responsible organism, but it has shown to be a difficult task to grow fungus in the best labs. In most podiatry offices, (dermatophytes) are the predominant fungal cause of the problem. Dermatophytes live on Keratin, a protein found in skin, hair, and nails, creating superficial fungal infections. These infections are more commonly known as Tinea Pedis, Athlete’s Foot, Jock Itch, or Ringworm. Treatment for onychomycosis is difficult and slow to resolve. Fungus loves a moist, dark, warm environment with plenty of keratin to live on. They can survive for more than a year in a pair of shoes in your closet. This is why any treatment program must include treating the shoes as well. Treatment of the skin and nails may involve topical, oral, or a combination of medications, along with debridement (removal/cleaning of the fungal debris). Dr. Forni frequently performs a surgical cleaning of the infected toenails. Under a local anesthetic given to the toe, all of the fungal debris is painlessly removed, allowing the remaining healthy tissue to grow a healthy toenail. Because toenails take 8-10 months to grow from one end to the other, various medications are used to prevent re-infection, along with treating all of your shoes.
Open: Mon.- Sat. & Evenings by appointment only. Call today for an appointment: 708-867-3338 or 630-582-1100. We will adjust our hours for the convenience of our patients, whenever possible. We will be happy to answer all of your questions.
Dr. Forni is on staff:
1 Alexian Brothers Medical Center Hospital (Amita Health Organization), Elk Grove Village 2 Community First Medical Center Hospital, Chicago
AFP Podiatry, LTD
825 N. ROSELLE RD. ROSELLE, IL. 60172
Phone: (630) 582-1100
or
AFP Podiatry LTD. 4701 N. Cumberland Ave. Suite 19 Norridge, Il. 60706 Phone: (708)-867-3338