Just north of the US border with Mexico, along the coast of Southern California, lies San Diego. Home to nearly 1.5 million residents, San Diego is the second-largest city in California. Known for its year-round pleasant climate, natural, deep harbor, and extensive beaches, San Diego is a popular tourist destination and the “birthplace of California.”
First discovered by Europeans in 1542, San Diego was claimed for Spain by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who named the area “San Miguel.” In 1602, Sebastian Vizcaino was sent by the Spanish government to map the newly claimed land. Vizcaino landed in the deep, natural bay, naming the area for Saint Didacus, a Spanish saint more commonly called San Diego de Alcala.
The first Spanish Mission was established in San Diego in 1769, more than 200 years after the land was initially claimed for Spain. This mission formed the first European settlement in the region, however, and paved the way for additional settlement in what would become Alta California under Mexican rule.
The State of California was admitted to the Union in 1850, at which time the City of San Diego incorporated and was named the county seat of San Diego County. Joshua H. Bean had been serving as the “alcalde,” or mayor, of the Spanish city and was elected to serve as the first mayor of the new American city of San Diego.
Military Presence in San Diego
The military has maintained a presence in San Diego almost since its admission to the United States. Fort Rosecrans was established by the Army in 1852, with a series of coastal artillery bases. In 1901, the Navy established the Navy Coaling Station in Point Loma, expanding their presence throughout the 20s. By1930 the City of San Diego boasted the presence of the Naval Base San Diego, the Naval Training Center San Diego, the San Diego Naval Hospital, Camp Matthews, and Camp Kearny, which is now the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
The City of San Diego was a major hub of military activity during World War II. During and after the war, the population of the city grew at a rapid pace, more than doubling between 1930 and 1950. The end of World War II uncovered a plot by the Japanese to launch a biological attack on the US that was scheduled to begin in San Diego. The plan would have used kamikaze pilots to crash land flea-infested planes in San Diego. The fleas were infected with plague, which the Japanese hoped would infect millions and potentially kill tens of thousands of civilians.
After the war ended, the City of San Diego continued to rely heavily on Military Economics as the underpinning for the local economy. Cutbacks in military spending, however, reduced the military presence and economic support of the area, causing the city to look to expand the economy.
Tourism in San Diego
According to the Farmers’ Almanac, San Diego has one of the top-ten climates in the world. The Weather Channel scored San Diego as one of the top-two summer climates in America. Like most of Southern California, San Diego enjoys a semi-arid Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm, dry summers. In the “heat” of summer, temperatures in San Diego rarely reach 80 degrees, though the city topography will occasionally result in “micro-climates” that can produce significant changes in weather over short distances.
The beautiful weather in San Diego, coupled with miles of beautiful beaches and some of the best surfing waters available in Southern California, make San Diego a popular tourist destination. With the decline of defense spending in the area, the city government began to focus more on attracting visitors to the area.
Today, San Diego is a top travel destination, attracting more than 35 million visitors each year. From historical attractions to amusement parks, Casinos to world-class beaches, San Diego offers something for everyone to enjoy. Some of San Diego’s top tourist attractions include the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and SeaWorld San Diego.
San Diego Zoo
Located in Balboa Park in San Diego, the San Diego Zoo is home to more than 3,500 animals, representing more than 650 species. The zoo has pioneered the concept of open-air cages and cageless exhibits that seek to recreate the natural habitat of the animals contained there. At one time, the San Diego Zoo housed one of the only successful breeding programs for Giant Pandas in the world. The pandas were recently returned to China, to join the conservation and species preservation programs conducted by that country.
The San Diego Zoo covers more than 100 acres and hosts more than 4 million visitors each year. The Zoo got its start in 1915 when exotic animal exhibits at the 1915 Panama-California Exposition were abandoned and left to the city’s care. In 1916, Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth founded the Zoological Society of San Diego, which oversaw the administration and upkeep of the zoo until the city took over in 1921.
The zoo grew over the years and today features a bus tour that transports visitors around the park. The zoo shares animals with the attached Safari Park and with other zoos around the country. The zoo also serves as an arboretum, with a rare plant botanical collection including more than 700,000 exotic plants. The zoo also raises much of the food required to feed the zoo population, including more than 40 types of bamboo and 18 varieties of eucalyptus trees.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is an 1,800 acre, open-air zoo in the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido. One of the largest tourist attractions in San Diego County, the Safari Park attracts more than 2 million visitors each year. The Safari Park houses over 2,600 animals and grows more than 2,500 plant species. The park is located 32 miles from the San Deigo Zoo and lies mostly within the San Diego city limits, although it has an Escondido address.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego is an animal theme park and aquarium located in San Diego, inside Mission Bay Park. The park is owned by the City of San Diego and is a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, but operated by SeaWorld Entertainment.
SeaWorld was founded in 1964 by UC graduates hoping to start an underwater restaurant. The original idea didn’t work out, but it expanded in scope as a marine zoological park. The park opened with 22 acres, housing several dolphins, some sea lions, and two aquariums, with 45 employees. The park welcomed just over 400,000 visitors in its first year.
Today, SeaWorld San Diego is home to three aquariums, four species of dolphins, ten killer whales, and cold water animals including beluga whales. More than 4 million visitors flock to SeaWorld San Diego each year.
Beaches of San Diego
San Diego County is home to more than 70 miles of Southern California Coastline and some of the finest beaches in the country. The beaches of San Diego offer world-class surfing, swimming, sunbathing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, beach volleyball, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Coronado Central Beach in San Diego
Coronado Central Beach, in San Diego County, is often ranked as one of the top beaches in the world. Stretching along one and a half miles in front of the Hotel del Coronado, the perfectly flat, sandy beach is silvery-white and typically crowded with beach-goers from morning until night. The beach is free to visit, though it’s important to arrive early if you hope to secure a spot. Free parking is also available, and the beach offers bathroom and shower facility and lifeguards on duty during daylight hours. All free of charge.
Coronado Central Beach
Imperial Beach in San Diego
Imperial Beach, in San Diego County, is the Southernmost beach town in California, just five miles north of Tijuana, Mexico. It’s also a great fishing spot, with the most southerly pier in the state, and offers plenty of space for surfing and swimming.
The City of Imperial Beach lies along the border with Mexico, just five miles from downtown Tijuana. Wide sandy beaches, swimming, fishing, bodyboarding, and surfing draw thousands of visitors to Imperial Beach, each year.
Beach volleyball is a favorite activity along the beaches of Southern California and Imperial Beach has dozens of beach volleyball courts set up along their sandy shores. The Imperial Beach Pier, in the Port of San Diego, is the most southern pier in the state and offers the last chance to fish the clean US waters of the Pacific. The Boca Rio beach break has been named one of the best surfing spots in the county and attracts hundreds of surfers and bodyboarders to test their skill on its epic waves each year.
Toenail Fungus Means No Day At The Beach In San Diego
For residents of San Diego who suffer from toenail fungus, a day at the beach is no walk in the park. Thick, unsightly toenails can be embarrassing, keeping sufferers from enjoying simple pleasures like taking their shoes off and feeling the sand between their toes. Thick, brown toenails are a common result of toenail fungus infections, making maintenance and grooming of toenails difficult and sometimes painful.
Toenail fungus is typically considered an aesthetic issue, rather than a medical condition. However, advanced toenail fungus can cause pain and discomfort, preventing patients from enjoying everyday activities like walking and running.
Thick, Brown Toenails in San Diego
If you notice that your toenails are getting increasingly thick and difficult to cut, you may have a toenail fungus infection. The microbes that cause toenail fungus flourish in dark, moist places. You can come into contact with the microbes that cause toenail fungus in places like public pools or showers. Wearing tight shoes while doing sweaty work or exercising can also allow fungus to take root in your toenails.
In the beginning, toenail fungus is difficult to spot, but you may notice that your toenails start to thicken and get more and more difficult to cut. This is a sign that you have a fungus infection in your toenails and should seek treatment.
Dr. Kleis is the leading provider for laser nail fungus treatments in Southern California. He has successfully treated hundreds of patients for toenail fungus infections, restoring their natural beautiful nails. Before your toenails get any thicker, you should schedule a consultation with Dr. Kleis to see if laser toenail treatment is right for you.
How To Care For Thick Toenails
If you have toenails that are thick and difficult to cut, it can be helpful to soak your feet for ten or fifteen minutes in warm water before trying to cut the nails. For extra pampering, try adding some Epsom salts to the warm water, creating a soothing foot bath and softening the nails so they will cut more easily.
Once the nails are softened from the foot soak, use very sharp nail trimmers and make short cuts along the top of the nail, being careful not to split the nail down into the nail bed. Be sure to clean the instruments between each toe so that you don’t spread the toenail fungus infection from one toe to the next.
Thick Toenail Treatment in San Diego
Very thick toenails are a sign of toenail fungus infection. If you have thick, unsightly toenails that are difficult to cut or maintain, you may need to treat the cause with toenail fungus treatments using laser technology.
Laser toenail fungus treatment is one of the most effective treatments for thick toenails and is free from any side effects. The treatments are painless and don’t require any anesthesia or pain relief afterward. The lasers treat only the infected tissues, targeting the fungus organisms in a way that won’t damage the healthy tissue around the nail.
Pulsing laser technology avoids overheating the tissue around the nail and ensures that the treatments aren’t uncomfortable. The fungus infection is destroyed, usually in a single session, and your nails will grow out beautiful and normal, no longer thick and ugly.
To inquire about laser treatment for thick toenails, call Dr. Kleis at (714) 760-4944
Toenail Fungus FAQs
What Causes Toenail Fungus?
Fungal infections of the toenails are most often caused by exposure to moist, wet areas. Communal showers, such as those found at a gym or public pool are often sources of infection. Having athletes foot is also a risk factor for developing toenail fungus, as athletes foot is a fungus that can, over time, infect the nail bed, as well.
Tight-fitting shoes, worn for long periods in hot, sweaty conditions, also provide an environment for toenail fungus to gain a foothold. Repeated trauma to the toenail can weaken the nails and provide an opportunity for toenail fungus to begin.
How do you get toenail fungus?
Anyone can get toenail fungus. The fungi, mold, and yeasts that cause toenail fungus are commonly found in most moist, wet areas. Going barefoot in public showers is a common way to come into contact with fungus causing pathogens. Not everyone who comes into contact with toenail fungi will actually get toenail fungus. Persons with weakened nails are especially prone to developing nail fungus.
Athletes are prone to toenail fungus, partly because of the tight-fitting shoes they wear and sweaty workouts they endure. Athletes are also prone to repeated nail trauma, which weakens the nail and provides an opportunity for nail fungus to begin.
Elderly people are more prone to developing toenail fungus, due to an overall weakened immune system caused by age. Other conditions that make a person more susceptible to toenail fungus include diabetes, AIDS, cancer, psoriasis, and taking immunosuppressive medications like steroids.
Can I get toenail fungus from a pedicure?
It is possible to contract toenail fungus from a nail salon. If the sanitary conditions of a salon are not sufficiently maintained, toenail fungi can lurk in the cracks and crevices of basins and equipment. These fungi can then be passed from one customer to another. Proper hygiene and a strict cleaning regimen will reduce the chances of toenail fungus being contracted by customers of a nail salon. It is important to avoid nail salons that lack good sanitation.
Can I get a pedicure while I have toenail fungus?
It is possible to get a pedicure, even if you have a toenail fungus. However, it is important to choose a salon that is equipped with proper sanitation equipment and be upfront about your condition so that the nail technician will be prepared to sanitize properly afterward. Calling ahead will ensure that the salon you choose is equipped to handle your situation. In some cases, a customer will be asked to provide their own manicure tools and nail polish to avoid spreading the fungus.
What does toenail fungus look like?
In the beginning, toenail fungus is not very noticeable. It may start out as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail. As time goes on, your toenail may become thicker or distorted, making it difficult to cut your toenails. Your toes may become painful, especially if the affected toe is under pressure.
Toenail fungus may turn your toenail black, yellow, green, or white, depending on the type of infection. The nail can become brittle or crumbly. Pieces of the nail may break off or the nail may fall off completely. The skin around the infected toenail may also get red, irritated, swollen, or cracked.
What does the beginning of toenail fungus look like?
Toenail fungus often begins as a small white or yellow spot under the tip of the nail. It is generally not painful or particularly noticeable in the early stages. As the infection grows, the nail may become discolored, thicken, or become distorted.
Is toenail fungus contagious?
Toenail fungus is contagious in the sense that it is possible to get it. However, most people are resistant to the fungus and will only develop it if there are some underlying problems like lower immunity, damaged nails, or prolonged exposure to moist, wet conditions surrounding the feet. Because toenail fungus is so common, you can expect that more than one person in a household may have it, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that one person passed it to another. The fungi, mold, and yeast that commonly cause toenail fungus are present in most moist, wet areas, including home bathrooms, bathtubs, and showers. A person “catches” toenail fungus by having weakened nails and then being exposed to the fungus, rather than simple exposure to another person with toenail fungus.
How to treat toenail fungus
There are several treatments for toenail fungus. These treatments include oral medications, topical treatments, and surgery.
Oral medications work with your body to clear the infection more quickly than topical treatments but come with side effects like liver problems and skin rash.
Topical treatments can take longer to work, sometimes up to a year to clear a fungal infection. Surgery can be used to remove the infected nail and allow a new, healthy nail to grow. This treatment is usually only prescribed if the infection is very severe and/or painful.
Laser treatments are the easiest way to get rid of toenail fungus. Lasers target the fungi under the nail and kill it, with no side effects and no discomfort. Other than a slight warming sensation, the patients feel very little during treatment. Once the lasers have killed the fungus, the nail simply grows out, healthy and normal. In some cases, your podiatrist may recommend more than one laser treatment, to ensure that all fungi have been eliminated.
How to treat toenail fungus at home
There are several home remedies for toenail fungus. People use Vicks VapoRub, snakeroot extract, eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, oregano oil, and hydrogen peroxide, among others. While some of these methods may work when the fungal infection is in the early stages, advanced toenail fungus needs to be treated in a doctors office for best results.
Will my toenails grow back after fungus treatment?
Yes! After treatment, you can expect your toenail to continue to grow out at its natural rate, replacing the unsightly nail with a beautiful, healthy one.
How do you get toenail fungus?
Fungal infections of the toenails are most often caused by exposure to moist, wet areas. Communal showers, such as those found at a gym or public pool are often sources of infection. Having athletes foot is also a risk factor for developing toenail fungus, as athletes foot is a fungus that can, over time, infect the nail bed, as well.
Tight-fitting shoes, worn for long periods in hot, sweaty conditions, also provide an environment for toenail fungus to gain a foothold. Repeated trauma to the toenail can weaken the nails and provide an opportunity for toenail fungus to begin.
What is toenail fungus?
Toenail fungus is a growth of yeast, mold, or fungi that live in the nail or nail bed. Oftentimes, damage to a healthy nail or a lowered immune system provides an opportunity for the microbes that are nearly always present in our environment a place to take hold around the toenail and begin to grow.
Toenail fungus can look like a thick, discolored nail. It can be brown, white, black, or yellow. In the beginning, fungus often looks like a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail. As the infection persists, you may experience a thickening of the toenail, or it may lift from the nail bed or become flaky.
Does Peroxide Get Rid of Toenail Fungus?
Hydrogen peroxide can kill fungus microbes. Soaking your foot in peroxide can, in some cases, help get rid of toenail fungus. However, because it is difficult for hydrogen peroxide to reach all of the areas of the toe where the fungus can grow, such as under the nail, in the nail bed, it can be difficult to completely treat advanced fungus with peroxide alone. Using peroxide as a preventive or early intervention tool can be quite effective, however.
Will Toenail Fungus Go Away on Its Own?
In most cases, toenail fungus will not go away on its own. It requires treatment to eliminate it and prevent the spread to other, healthy toenails.
Can I Cut My Toenails if They Have Fungus?
Yes, you can cut your toenails, even if they have fungus. To avoid spreading the fungus to other toenails, be sure to thoroughly clean the cutting instruments between toes using bleach or peroxide. To make cutting your toenails easier, soak your feet for ten minutes or so in warm water to soften the nails. Then, use sharp nail clippers to cut straight across, using small cuts to avoid splintering the nail and damaging the nail bed.
Does Nail Polish Cause Toenail Fungus
While nail polish doesn’t exactly CAUSE toenail fungus, it can increase your chances of getting it. Dark nail polish, especially if worn all the time, can block sunlight from reaching your nail bed. Sunlight can kill fungus microbes and prevent toenail fungus from growing. Keeping your nails constantly covered up with polish can increase your chances for toenail fungus to grow. Also, nail salons are a place where you might come into contact with fungi if the nail technicians aren’t vigilant about cleaning pedicure instruments between customers. Use care in choosing a nail salon and, if possible, visit in the morning when instruments are generally the cleanest.
My Toenail Fell Off – Is It Fungus?
There are several reasons why your toenail might fall off. Trauma is the most common reason for losing a toenail. However, if your toenail thickens over time, lifting from the nail bed and eventually falling off, it is very likely a fungus and you should seek treatment from your podiatrist.
Can my fingernails get fungus?
Yes, any nail can get a fungal infection. It is not as common for fungal infections to infect a fingernail because hands are generally kept drier and not exposed as frequently to hot, damp, confined conditions.
Why Don’t Fingernails Get Fungal Infections As Often As Toenails?
Our feet are often confined for hours per day in hot, sweaty shoes. The shoes block the sunlight and don’t allow sweat to dry, creating an ideal environment for fungus and mold like athletes foot and toenail fungus to thrive. Hands get wet, but then are quickly dried, not providing the moist, wet conditions fungus need to grow.
Best Toenail Fungus Treatment In Southern California
If you’re looking for the best laser treatment for toenail fungus in Southern California, you’ll find it at The Laser Nail Specialists. Dr. Kleis, DPM is a podiatrist in Costa Mesa, serving all of Orange County. Dr. Kleis has the very latest in laser technology and can treat your toenail fungus quickly and painlessly. There’s no need to suffer from toenail fungus any longer, call Dr. Kleis and schedule your consultation today.
Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus FAQs
Can laser treatments get rid of toenail fungus?
Laser treatments for nail fungus have been clinically proven to work. Nail fungus is often eliminated after a single laser treatment. Most patients report that the appearance of their toenails is improved after a single treatment. However, a second or third treatment may be required for severe infections.
How Does Laser Toenail Fungus Treatments Work?
Focused laser light targets the fungal organisms that live in and under the toenail and nail bed. The light heats the tissue, destroying the fungal microbes and killing the toenail fungus.
The laser is pulsed to avoid overheating the surrounding tissues, making the treatment pain-free. No pain relievers will be required after the procedure and no anesthetic is necessary to perform it.
How much do laser treatments for toenail fungus cost?
Costs for laser toenail fungus treatments vary, depending on the severity of the infection and the number of treatments required. When you visit with Dr. Kleis, he will work with you to determine the best course of treatment and go over the expected cost with you.
Can I make payments on laser treatments for nail fungus?
We offer financing through Care Credit. You can fill out an application online and get approval before you schedule your treatments. Make payments you can afford while achieving better nail health!
Do laser treatments work for toenail fungus?
Laser treatments are one of the most effective ways to treat toenail fungus. Often in as little as one treatment, patients will see clear, beautiful nails begin to appear. Toenails grow slowly, however, and the damaged nail must be given time to grow out and be cut off before the whole nail will look perfectly restored.
How many laser treatments does it take to get rid of nail fungus?
Many times a single laser treatment will relieve toenail fungus. In very serious cases, it may take a second or even third treatment. Your podiatrist will be able to let you know how many treatments to expect.
Will Medicare Cover Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus?
Normal foot care is not generally covered by Medicare, though some Medicare supplement plans do provide coverage for additional benefits, including foot care. If a patient has underlying health issues that affect the feet, such as diabetes and diabetic nerve pain, Medicare will sometimes pay for a podiatrist visit to address that condition.
Medicare Part B plans will sometimes include benefits that cover podiatry and could include benefits for laser treatment. Call your plan provider or allow our office to assist you in determining benefit coverage from your Medicare supplement plan. Call Dr. Kleis at (714) 760-4944 to speak to a customer care specialist who can help you determine your Medicare and supplemental benefits.
Does Insurance Pay For Laser Nail Treatments?
While advanced toenail fungus can cause problems with a person’s ability to move and exercise, it is generally considered an aesthetic issue and isn’t covered by insurance. However, plans vary and you should ask your insurance provider or allow one of our customer care specialists to inquire for you. To see if your insurance plan will pay for Laser Nail Treatments, call our office at (714) 760-4944
Does Laser Nail Treatment Hurt?
Laser nail treatments last about thirty minutes. The laser is focused only on the affected toenail and doesn’t harm any healthy tissues. The area will feel warm during treatment, but no pain is experienced. A pulsing laser is used to avoid overheating the area or causing damage to surrounding tissues. No anesthetic is required and, generally, no pain relievers are necessary following treatment. Patients are immediately able to resume regular activities, including wearing shoes and painting their toenails.
How do I Prepare For Laser Nail Therapy?
When arriving for your laser nail treatment appointment, you should ensure that your feet are clean and free of all nail polish. Wear clean socks and plan to spend a minimum of an hour at the office. You will be able to wear your shoes again immediately after the treatment and drive yourself home from the office. If your toenail fungal infection is severe, Dr. Kleis may ask you to schedule an additional treatment session.
For additional questions about preparing for upcoming toenail laser treatments, please call our office at (714) 760-4944