Toenail fungus can cause an embarrassing discoloration of the toenails. Toenail fungus infections can make toenails change in color becoming whitish, yellow, or even brown. So, it is possible that the brown discoloration is caused by toenail fungus. 

If the brown discoloration is in fact caused by toenail fungus, then yes, the laser treatment may help. But if the discoloration is caused by bruising under the toenail or is the result of surface staining of the nail plate, then no, laser treatment would not help.  

A couple of questions may help determine how likely it is that the discoloration is caused by a fungal infection. 

1. How long ago did the discoloration begin.
2. Have you ever had athlete's foot?
3. Have ever had any trauma to the toenails where they became bruised under the toenail?
 
How Long Have You Had The Discoloration
Generally speaking, the longer the toenails have been infected, the more difficult it is to get rid of the fungus and return the toenails to a normal appearance. Some of this has to do with how much the matrix or root of the toenail has been stretched and or damaged by the thickening of the toenail. In some cases the thickening can become permanent. However the color will typically change significantly and improve after being successfully treated to remove the toenail fungus that is infecting the toenails. But, the toenail may remain thicker, if there has been damage to the matrix or root of the toenail. 

Athletes Foot
Athlete's foot is sometimes caused by the exact same fungus that infects the toenails. Toenail fungus is an infection of fungus in then toenails. Athletes foot is just a toenail fungus infection in the skin on the feet. If you have had athletes foot it s possible that you could have the fungus in your shoes that could lead to a toenail fungus infection.

Toenail Trauma
If you have repeatedly traumatized the nails by stubbing your type, or beating them up in running shoes, you may have bruising under the toenail. If there is bruising under the toenails, it may change the treatment options available to you. For example, if there is a large amount of dried blood underneath the toenail, the dried blood is dark in color and may absorb heat and burn the nail bed underneath the toenail if you were to have the laser toenail fungus removal procedure. In addition, a bruised toenail may look like a fungal toenail, but not actually be infected with toenail fungus. 

If you aren't sure whether or not the brown discoloration in the toenail is caused by a toenail fungus infection you can visit a podiatrist specializing in the treatment of toenail fungus. Another quicker option is to take a picture of the toenails and arrange a free remote email or phone consultation so you can get a better idea of the extent of the problem.

Dr. Christopher Segler is a podiatrist who specializes in the treatment of toenail fungus infections in San Francisco, Oakland, San Rafael and San Jose. He is board certified, American Board of Podiatric Medicine.  If you have a question about discoloration of the toenails that may be caused by toenail fungus you can call him directly at 415-308-0833.

Yes!  We firmly believe that if you pay for a doctor’s visit, you ought to see a doctor.  And the doctor ought to be the one delivering the care. 

We never, ever allow non-doctors to perform the laser toenail treatments. 

We have had patients tell us that some medical offices offer laser toenail fungus removal treatment, but that a nurse or “medical assistant” of some type is the person actually performing the laser toenail fungus removal treatment. Granted, there may be a doctor in the office, but the doctor isn’t the one doing the laser procedure.

All of our laser procedures are performed by Dr. Christopher Segler, a podiatrist who is Board Certified, American Board of Podiatric Medicine. 

When you call our office, you will speak directly to Dr. Segler.  He will explain the options for toenail fungus treatment. If you are a candidate for laser toenail fungus treatment, he will bring the toenail laser to your home or office. You will not speak to a nurse or an assistant, but you will speak to a real doctor. A real doctor will perform your laser toenail treatment. 

If you think you have ugly, thick, white and yellow toenails you might have a toenail fungus infection. If so, you can call Dr. Segler directly at 415-308-0833. And yes, you will actually get to speak with a real doctor. We bring the toenail laser to you. Laser toenail fungus removal treatment is available in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Mill Valley, Tiburon, San Rafael and Palo Alto.

Yes!  When you have the laser toenail fungus removal procedure the fungus is dead. But the actually appearance of the toenail is no different at the conclusion of the laser treatment. 

You have to wait for the healthy non-deformed toenail to grow out.  This will take several months. 

If you have been using fake nails to cover the ugly, yellow, and white fungal toenail, you can go back to the nail salon to reapply the artificial nails. Eventually you may not need the artificial nails any longer if your toenails clear after the laser treatment. 

Dr. Christopher Segler is a podiatrist Board Certified, American Board of Podiatric Medicine. He performs laser treatments to remove toenail fungus in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose. He even does House Calls!  That way we bring the toenail laser to you so that you can get rid of your toenail fungus without taking time off work to get laser treatment at a podiatry office. If you have a question about toenail fungus, you can call Dr. Segler directly at 415-308-0833.  You can also click here to get a HUGE DISCOUNT on laser toenail fungus treatment.  

This video explains how clear toenails turn into discolored fungal toenails.

A normal toenail is thin, clear and translucent allowing you to actually see right through the toenail to the pink nail bed underneath. However as soon as the fungal spores get in underneath the toenail the toenail fungus starts to grow within the keratin of the toenail itself. The growing fungus actually causes the layers of keratin to separate.

The separation of layers within the toenail causes the toenail to become thicker but it also changes the way that light refracts through the toenail. This causes a cloudy discoloration that is usually white or yellowish. Those thick, crumbling white and yellow areas of the toenail are the classic signs of a toenail fungus infection.

If you think you might have a toenail fungus infection, you can call 415-308-0833 to speak to an expert to find out if you might be able to get rid of the toenail fungus and have clear toenails again.