We Help Patients Prevent, Treat, and Resolve Fungal Toenail Infections in North Seattle

Are discolored, thick, brittle, crumbly, or misshapen fungal toenails making you self-conscious about your feet? If you're like most people who struggle with this condition, you probably want to rid yourself of it as quickly as possible, so you can get back to showing off your feet and participating in the activities you enjoy.

However, toenail fungus isn't just a cosmetic issue. Caused by a highly-contagious fungal infection, known as onychomycosis, fungal toenails can spread in families, become painful over time, they can spread to other parts of the body including hands and groin, and triple diabetic patients' risk of developing limb-endangering complications like slow-to-heal foot ulcers. Even more frustrating: fungal toenail infections can come back again and again, despite conservative treatments.

Expert Care for Fungal Toenails in Seattle's North End

Practicing proper foot hygiene, choosing the right footwear, routine podiatry care, and seeking prompt treatment for fungal toenails can help keep infections at bay. Fortunately, you've come to the right place for assistance. At Foot and Ankle Center of Lake City, we offer a broad range of effective treatment options for fungal toenail issues, and our highly-skilled podiatrist, Dr. Rion Berg, has four decades of experience helping patients resolve this stubborn and potentially dangerous condition.

Fungal Toenails (Onychomycosis) Causes and Prevention

Fungus is everywhere and, as a result, just about anyone can get a fungal toenail infection under the right (or, rather, the wrong) conditions. Thankfully, when you understand what causes fungus to thrive, you can take the appropriate steps to make your feet—and shoes—a less hospitable environment for it. Here's what you need to know.

• Fungus loves warm, moist, dark areas. The most common cause of fungal toenail infections is chronic use of tight, non-breathable shoes along with cotton or wool socks that retain moisture. Avoid overly tight hosiery and restrictive shoes; instead, choose synthetic-fiber socks that wick away moisture, and supportive, well-fitting shoes made of breathable materials.
• Proper foot hygiene can reduce your risk for fungal infections. Keep your feet clean and dry. Wash and dry them thoroughly, paying special attention to the areas between the toes. Use a high-quality talcum (not cornstarch) powder to discourage excessive moisture.
• Prevent the spread of fungus among family members. Disinfect home pedicure tools before and after use, avoid sharing towels and wash down your shower or tub with disinfectant after use to prevent spread of fungus in your household (especially important if you think you have it).
• Safe nail care protocols can prevent injuries that encourage fungal toenails. Clip toenails regularly to prevent them from extending beyond the tip of the toe and risking damage. Damaged toenails are more likely to develop fungus.
• Catching a developing infection can prevent it from spreading or becoming a chronic problem. Inspect your feet daily for thick or discolored toenails or cuts or cracks in the skin—all of which can indicate fungus.
• Shared facilities like locker rooms at athletic clubs are breeding grounds for fungal infections. Wear clean shower shoes in these areas whenever possible to protect your feet from exposure to other people's foot problems.
• Direct trauma to the toenail (from a stubbing injury, for example) or repetitive microtrauma (from running in restrictive shoes) can damage the nail plate, allowing fungus to invade. Wear clear, dry, well-fitting, and breathable shoes to help prevent toenail injuries.
• Nail salons that don't properly clean their equipment. Check out the hygiene practices of your nail salon.

Other factors like age, diabetes, HIV, and medications that weaken the immune system can also increase your risk of developing a fungal toenail infection.

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Making Sure It's 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 off to a laboratory for testing and confirmation if your diagnosis is in question.

Dystrophic or Deformed Toenails

Another word for misshapen and thick toenails are dystrophic toenails. While dystrophic toenails are most often caused by onychomycosis, they can be caused by trauma. Learn more here.

Treating Fungal Toenails in North Seattle 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.

And we’ve been successful. We’ve offered our patients a comprehensive treatment program for fungal toenails with an 80%-90% success rate using the PinPoint FootLaser™.

Benefits of Treating Toenail Fungus With The Lunula Laser

While the  PinPoint FootLaser™ has provided impressive results, in 2025 we learned that the Lunula Laser was even better—this superior advanced laser has two major advantages over our older laser.

• Faster Treatment—initial treatment in just 4 weeks vs. 2-3 months with previous program
• Faster Nail Clearing—clear nail growth becomes visible after 3-6 months vs. 6-9 months

That’s why in 2025 we switched to Lunula! You can read the results of a major research study here!

Our Fast Start Laser Treatment Program

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 Treatments over 4 weeks and two Lunula laser treatments at three and six months.
• Topical medications to treat the infected toenails and surrounding skin. We use Tolcylen products. They reduce fungus on the skin and nails and improve the appearance of nails in just a few months.
• Tolcylen Anti-Microbial Shoe Spray keeps your shoes free of fungus and prevents re-infection.

Advanced Aftercare Program - Preventing Recurrence

While our treatment effectively clears existing nail fungus, fungal infections can return.  That’s why our comprehensive program includes a specialized foot soak designed to maintain your newly restored nail health and reduce the risk of reinfection.

 This includes:

• Two additional laser treatments at three and six months.
• One Tolcylen Soak Starter Kit to keep nails free of fungus

Prevent Infection and Reinfection: Spouse/Partner Treatment Recommended

Because toenail fungus can spread between household members who share towels, foot implements, or a bed we advise treating your spouse or partner simultaneously to decrease the risk of 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.

Some Patients Who Have Received Laser Treatment At Our Office