Toronto foot specialist reports there can be more than 80 types of fungus on your feet and nails

The Toronto Star reported on Friday May 24, 2013 that researchers at U.S. National Institute of Health, using DNA sequencing, discovered that there are more than eighty different types of fungi on the heel, sixty different types on toenails and forty different types of fungus in toe webbing (between the toes).

It is this Toronto podiatrist's opinion that, even though we are surrounded by fungi, it is possible to reduce your chances of foot fungus infection by keeping your feet clean and dry, not wearing the same pair of shoes everyday in order to give them a chance to dry out, wearing clean socks everyday and swearing flip flops in public showers.

However, some people are less resistant to fungus than others.

This can result in skin infections called tinea pedis or athlete's foot. This can be treated with topical antifungal medication. Try over the counter medication. If this does not help you should see your friendly neighbourhood Toronto podiatrist.

If the skin is left untreated, the nails can also become infected. This can be more problematic because Fungal in Nails  is more difficult to treat than in the skin.

Traditionally people have used topical medication on their nails, but this is usually not very effective.

The second alternative with toenail fungus was to take oral medication. This can be more effective but can have side effects.

For the last few years, I have been treating toenail fungus in my Toronto podiatry clinic with a 1320nm long pulsed YAG Fungal Nail Laser. This can be more effective than topical medication and does not have the side effects of the pills.

If you, or someone you care about suffers from tinea pedis or Athlete's foot or toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, please call this  Toronto, Ontario Podiatrist at 416-486-9917 to arrange a private consultation.