Nail Fungus or Something Else? A Telehealth Dermatologist Can Help You Find Out

We get this question a lot! Many people assume a fungal nail infection is the cause of a discolored or thickened nail, but in reality, many cases of discolored or thickened nails are caused by other conditions, including psoriasis, nail trauma, and aging. A telehealth dermatologist can diagnose the cause of changes to your nail in a matter of minutes and put an end to your guessing game.

Why Self-Diagnosis Often Gets It Wrong?

While many changes to the nails are caused by fungal infections, many more are caused by psoriasis, by trauma to the nail, by aging, and by many other causes. In fact, many of the other disorders of the nails can look almost identical to fungal infections of the nails. A toenail fungal infection can cause thickening and/or discoloration of the nails, and sometimes they can even crumble.  

But all of these same changes can be caused by other conditions of the nails. Importantly, treating a non-fungal nail disorder with an antifungal is unlikely to be of benefit. Conversely, ignoring a fungal infection of the nails because it does not look “bad” can allow the infection to get worse. Most people end up wasting months trying to figure out what is wrong with their nails before they get a proper diagnosis.

What a Telehealth Visit Actually Looks Like

Simply upload your photos and fill out the simple form and receive your diagnosis within a few hours. No waiting in a crowded waiting room or visiting a clinic to receive a diagnosis that cannot be confirmed and then have to refer you to a specialist for further treatment. With STRIDE’s telehealth, you can have your fungal infection treated straight away with a prescription from your licensed dermatologist if needed.

Getting the Right Diagnosis Before Treating Anything?

Finding the right treatment for nail problems can be far more complicated than people realize. A simple look at a patient’s nail is not enough to confirm that they have a fungal infection of their toenails. Often, a nail clipping is required, and then that clipping is examined by a dermatologist to confirm fungal infection before any treatment is prescribed. There are a number of other skin conditions that can cause thickened and discolored nails, and treating these conditions with antifungal medication would be ineffective and could also be very costly and time-consuming.

Why Thickened, Yellow Nails Need a Closer Look?

Nail changes are usually caused by psoriasis, nail injury, or simple aging. A nail fungal infection could cause thickening and discoloration of the nail and will typically cause the edges of the nail to begin to crumble. Thickened and yellow fingernails or thickened and yellow toenails could be due to a fungal infection of the nail.  

Thick yellow toenails treatment can be used in a search for thickened and yellow toenails caused by a fungal infection of the toenail. In any case, a search for thickened yellow toenails treatment is appropriate. A closer examination would likely reveal the cause of the thickened and yellow fingernails or the thickened and yellow toenails in order to be able to provide the appropriate treatment for the problem affecting the nails.

Once Fungus Is Confirmed, What Happens Next?

There are many over-the-counter antifungal products used to treat fungal infections of the nails. However, these products are not able to penetrate thickened nails to treat fungal infections in the nail bed. They may provide temporary relief from symptoms, and the nail may appear to be improving.  

However, the fungal infection can quickly relapse. Prescription antifungal treatments are more effective in treating fungal infections of the nails. These include oral antifungal medications, which are used in combination with topical antifungal creams.

At STRIDE, we treat every nail condition, starting with an accurate diagnosis followed by the best course of treatment for your specific condition in order to treat your fungal-infected nail(s) effectively.

Why Getting a Real Diagnosis Saves You Time

Each month that a patient is incorrectly treating a fungal nail infection for a different condition, that infection is progressing to a point where more aggressive treatment will be required in the long run. Accurate diagnosis and treatment of the infection or condition that is affecting a patient’s nail(s) from the beginning, typically as an outpatient and with oral medication in conjunction with topical medication, is what a confirmed diagnosis by a dermatologist via telehealth can provide a patient.

The Bottom Line

Guesstimating whether or not you have fungal nails and then spending months treating thick, discolored, or falling-off nails with over-the-counter remedies for thickened or discolored toenails can be a huge waste of time and end up with nothing positive happening for you. Get an accurate online diagnosis and the right treatment for your fungal infection all through one easy online visit with a dermatologist telehealth appointment with a licensed dermatologist at STRIDE.