"You avoid sandals. You skip the pool. You even feel embarrassed in your own bedroom. Those thick, discolored, crumbly toenails aren't just unsightly—they're stealing your confidence and keeping you from the activities you love.
I get it. It's not that you haven't tried to treat your nails--you have. Perhaps you've used over-the-counter topical treatments that didn't work. Maybe you've tried oral medications but the fungus came back.
You've likely been dealing with this for months or even years. You're not alone, and more importantly, you don't have to live with this.
Toenail Fungus Specialist in North Seattle
Let Me Help You!
I understand how fungal toenails can affect every aspect of your life. Over the past 40 years, I've seen thousands of patients who've tried everything—drugstore creams, home folk remedies, even prescription medications—only to watch their condition persist or return.
With four decades of experience treating fungal toenails in Seattle, I've developed a comprehensive treatment program that combines the latest laser technology with proven topical treatments, achieving an 80-90% success rate.
You can get rid of ugly, fungal toenails. You just need the right tools to do so.
Why Our Approach Works When Others Don't
- We treat the fungus in the nail AND the nail bed underneath
- We address the source of reinfection (your shoes and environment)
- We provide ongoing support to maintain your results
- We provide education on how to prevent the spread in your family
A Return To Healthy, Confident Feet
Step 1: Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment of Toenail Fungus
Fungal infections aren't the only conditions that can cause discolored, white, thick, black, brittle, or crumbly toenails. We'll verify the presence of a fungal infection with a visual inspection, and send part of your toenail to a laboratory for testing and confirmation if your diagnosis is in question.
Step 2: Comprehensive Treatment for Fungal Toenails With the Lunula Laser
Our office has been using laser treatment to treat toenail fungus since 2012. Throughout that time, our goals have always remained the same; research, evaluate, and put into practice the best treatment medicine offers for our patients with this condition.
Our Fast Start Laser Treatment Program (4 Weeks)
Developed to give you the best chance of successfully eliminating toenail fungus, our Fast Start Laser Treatment Program has an 80%-90% success rate and includes:
- Four 30-minute Lunula Laser sessions over 4 weeks
- Advanced topical medications (Tolcylen) for nails and surrounding skin
- Tolcylen Anti-Microbial Shoe Spray keeps your shoes free of fungus and prevents re-infection.
- Education on how to keep your toenails free of fungus.
Step 3: Long-Term Success and Prevention (Months 3 & 6)
While our treatment effectively clears existing nail fungus, fungal infections can return. Here's what we provide
- Two additional laser treatments at 3 and 6 months.
- One Tolcylen Soak Starter Kit to keep nails free of fungus
- Monitoring your progress with before/after photos.
- Partner/spouse treatment recommendation to prevent reinfection
How to Correctly Apply Tolcylen to Your Fungal Toenails
Many people tend to use too much Tolcylen when treating their fungal nails and the surrounding skin. Learn the proper way to apply Tolcylen in this video.
Results of Lunula Laser Treatment for Fungal Toenails After Just 3 Months
Some Patients Who Have Received Laser Treatment At Our Office
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For more before and after pictures, check out our photo gallery where patients received the PinPoint Laser treatment at other clinics.
Frequently Asked Questions About Toenail Fungus Treatment At Our Office
FAQs
1. What are the challenges in treating fungal toenails?
Fungal toenails are difficult to treat because the fungus isn’t just in the toenail, but underneath in the nail bed.
Whatever method is used to treat this condition, it must penetrate the nail and the tissue underneath. In
addition, because your nails only grow 1 mm/month, it can take 3-6 months to determine if the treatment is working.
2. My spouse/partner also has fungal toenails? Should they get treatment also?
Your partner needs to get treated at the same time to prevent your nails from becoming re-infected.
3. How do I know if I’m making progress with my fungal toenail treatment?
Dr. Berg will check your toenails at the appropriate interval following the completion of your initial treatment. Using before and after photos, we'll see if there has been significant progress.
4. Will I need to continue getting treated for fungal toenails after the first month of laser?
After three and six months you’ll be scheduled for follow-up visits. You'll receive a total of two more laser treatments and a Tolcylen soak starter kit. Should further treatment be needed, the exact nature and extent of treatment will be discussed at that time.
5. Can I hope to clear my nails completely?
Treating fungal toenails successfully with complete clearing is possible, but it is not uncommon for patients to be satisfied with moderate improvement. Much like other dermatologic disorders, maintaining healthier toenails requires management, and may require additional treatment over time. Unfortunately, regardless of how clean we keep our feet and how much we avoid situations where we could reinfect our nails, our shoes harbor fungus and recurrence of fungal toenails is not uncommon.
Even with all the tools we have to treat you, there is no magic. Treating fungal toenails takes patience and persistence on both the patient’s and the doctor’s part. We are always on the lookout for new developments that will improve the outcomes for our patients.
6. What Do Fungal Toenails Look Like?
Nails infected with fungus can be discolored, thick, brittle, crumbly, or misshapen. See examples above. However, it’s important to keep in mind that other things can cause nails to look bad. Trauma to the nail is most often the culprit and can occur through stubbing, dropping a heavy object on the toe, and microtrauma caused by running, hiking, or participating in other sports activities.
Psoriasis and eczema can also cause pitting and other problems with the nails.
7. What Happens If You Have Toenail Fungus for Too Long?
It’s essential to treat toenail fungus early. The following can occur if you wait too long:
- Toenail fungus becomes more difficult and more expensive to treat.
- Toenails can become thick and difficult to cut.
- Toenails can become painful and ingrown.
- People with diabetes have a three times greater risk of developing a wound.
- It can spread to vulnerable family members.
8. Does Hydrogen Peroxide Get Rid of Toenail Fungus?
While this treatment may slow the spread of infection, hydrogen peroxide will not eliminate toenail fungus. Many remedies and other topicals such as Vicks VapoRub, tea tree oil, and apple cider vinegar have been suggested for treating toenail fungus. While some of these treatments may also slow down fungal growth, none of them can access the nailbed, which is essential to fully eliminate it. None of these remedies can prevent toenail fungus from returning.
9. How Do I Stop My Toenails From Getting Fungus?
Several strategies can help in reducing your chances of getting a fungal toenail infection including:
- Choosing the right footwear and socks. Fungus thrives in warm, moist, dark environments. Wear breathable shoes that fit well and synthetic socks that wick moisture away from your feet. Avoid tight, non-breathable shoes and cotton socks.
- Practice good foot hygiene. Keep feet clean and dry, especially between toes. Use talcum powder (not cornstarch) to control moisture.
- Prevent household spread. If someone in your home has toenail fungus be sure to disinfect nail clippers and other tools, avoid sharing towels, and clean showers/tubs with disinfectant after use.
- Maintain proper nail care. Trim toenails regularly to prevent damage, which makes nails more susceptible to infection. Inspect feet daily for thick/discolored nails or skin cuts and cracks.
- Protect feet in public areas. Wear flip-flops or shower shoes in locker rooms, pools, and fitness studios where fungus can spread easily.
- Avoid nail trauma. Both direct injuries and repetitive microtrauma from ill-fitting shoes can damage nails and allow fungal invasion. Be sure to get your feet measured when you buy new ones.
- Choose reputable nail salons. Ensure they properly sanitize equipment between clients. Learn more here.
Toenail Fungus Testimonials
Grateful to Dr Berg for helping me get rid of my toe fungus! The difference is pretty incredible, and restored my confidence in my bare feet- 2021, Kathyrn G.
