Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus in The City of Orange, CA

The City of Orange, California is located in Orange County, just three miles north of Santa Ana, which is the county seat. The City of Orange is home to approximately 140,000 residents and surrounds another small city, Villa Park, which has another 6,000 or so residents.
The City of Orange enjoys pleasant weather year-round. Lying just fifteen miles from the Pacific Ocean means that the cooling effect of the Ocean’s waters keeps the City of Orange from reaching the high temperatures that are experienced in the more inland parts of California. The hottest month of the year in Orange is August, where temperatures reach the mid-80s. The winter months are cooler, with typical temperatures in the upper sixties and lower seventies. Freezes rarely occur in the City of Orange, which made the area ideal for cultivating the citrus fruit for which the city was named.
In the early years of California’s settlement, the area that would become Orange, California was planted with thousands of acres of orange trees. The last part of the 1800s saw a population increase in Southern California as the national demand for citrus fruit drove greater settlement and farming in the area.

Historic Downtown Orange

The City of Orange is unique in California as having one of the highest concentrations of historical buildings that were erected before 1920. Most Californian cities tore down their old buildings in the 1960s. However, the City of Orange decided to restore and maintain its historic buildings. Today, the Old Towne, Historical District of Orange contains the second largest concentration of historical buildings in California. The District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as are each of the buildings in the District.

The Downtown Historic District of Orange is a thriving business district that includes the oldest operating bank in Orange County and the oldest operating soda fountain. The District is maintained by a fund from the Old Towne Preservation Association, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to maintain the District.

Local Events in The City of Orange

Each year, the City of Orange hosts and sponsors community events that draw visitors from the surrounding communities. The list of events includes a summer concert series, a 3rd of July Celebration, an Autumn Festival, and Christmas activities.

Concerts in the Park in Orange

On Wednesdays throughout the summer, the City of Orange presents a series of concerts in the park that are free to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic basket and a blanket to enjoy dinner along with the entertainment. The local Kiwanis Club of Orange also provides food for purchase, for those who would like to buy their dinner at the park.

The bands selected to perform during the concert series represent a wide variety of musical genres from Latin music to a Beatles cover band. The concerts begin each night at 7 pm and run every Wednesday from the middle of June to the end of August.

Hart Park Bandshell

701 S Glassell St.
Orange, CA 92866

Third of July in Orange, California

Celebrating the birth of our nation on the Fourth of July is for the rest of the country. The City of Orange likes to get a jump on the celebration by starting a day early. Each year, the City of Orange sponsors a 3rd of July Celebration at Grijalva Park.

The festivities begin at 4 PM, with the fireworks show beginning at dusk. Attractions include a petting zoo, pony rides, kids’ activities, food vendors, and live music. The festival has been a tradition in Orange for the past twenty years and attracts thousands of visitors to the carnival-like atmosphere. Tickets for the event are $7, though children two and under get in free.

Grijalva Park

368 N Prospect Street
Orange, CA 92869

Autumn Festival in Orange

In the fall, the City of Orange sponsors a child-oriented festival in the downtown district. The free event includes trick or treating with the local merchants, a costume parade, and live entertainment. Local non-profit groups are on hand, selling affordable food and tasty treats. The event is scheduled near, but not on, Halloween. Please see the City of Orange calendar for year-specific information.

Old Town Orange Plaza

1 Plaza Square
Orange, CA 92866

Getting To The Beach in Orange, CA

For people living in Orange, CA, warm summer days might mean a trip to the beach. For most, this means a less than thirty-minute drive to Huntington Beach or Newport Beach, where they can kick off their shoes and relax in the sand.

For people suffering from thick, unsightly toenails caused by toenail fungus, however, things may not be so simple. Thick, brown toenails can be difficult to cut and nearly impossible to maintain in an attractive way. Caused by yeast or fungi, thick toenails sometimes make people so self-conscious about their feet that they’ll refuse to engage in activities like going to the beach if it means they’ll have to remove their shoes.

Thickening Toenails

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 give fungus an opportunity 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 Treat Thick Toenails

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

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 of time 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 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.

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.

Toenail Disorders That Are Not Toenail Fungus

Many things can make your toenails look different than they normally do. Trauma can cause dark discoloration beneath the nail and even result in a lost toenail or fingernail. Vitamin deficiencies can cause ridges in the toenail and melanoma can present as a dark spot or streak beneath the toenail.

If you notice anything different about your toenails and you’re not sure of the cause, it may be wise to seek the advice of an experienced podiatrist like Dr. Kleis, DPM.

Dr. Kleis has decades of experience in diagnosing and treating disorders of the feet and can help you determine the cause of your toenail problems and the best course of treatment. Call Dr. Kleis to schedule an appointment to discuss your concerns about your toenails, before a slight problem turns into a bigger one.

Lines or Ridges in Toenails

Lines or ridges in your fingernails or toenails are common and have a variety of causes. Age is one of the leading causes of vertical ridges, which are usually harmless. However, sometimes toenail ridges are signs of underlying conditions that need treatment. Diagnosing the cause of your toenail ridges is key to determining your overall health state and an appropriate course of treatment.

Some causes of vertical ridges in your toenails include:

Anemia
Trachyonychia
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis

Horizontal ridges in your toenails may be signs of a serious condition and should be evaluated by a doctor. Horizontal ridges may be a sign of:

Kidney Disease
Diabetes
Thyroid Disease

If you have ridges in your toenails that concern you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kleis by calling (714) 760-4944

Brittle Nails

Toenail fungus can cause your toenails to become brittle and break easily. They may also flake and become unsightly. Nail polish can help hide the damage from toenail fungus, but that’s a temporary solution. For healthier, more beautiful toenails, get treatment for your toenail fungus by visiting Dr. Kleis, DPM. Dr. Kleis has years of experience diagnosing and treating toenail fungus and foot disorders. He can help you determine a course of treatment that will have your toes ready for sandals in no time!

Call (714) 760-4944 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kleis and discover how easy it can be to have toenails you’re anxious to show off!

White or Yellow Nails

While white or yellow nails may be a sign of toenail fungus, it can also have other causes. Onycholysis is a separation of the nail from the nail bed. When there is space between the nail and the bed, it will cause a discoloration that is actually the space between the nail, rather than a discoloration of the nail itself. This condition, if it persists, can result in a fungal infection of the toenail, but is not itself a fungal infection. To treat Onycholysis, trim your nails short and keep them clean, but don’t try to clean under the nail itself. Use polish to hide the color of the nail and allow time for the nail to grow out.

Hematoma Under The Nail

If your toenail has experienced trauma recently, you may get a bruise or hematoma under the nail. This can result in a large black, red, or purple area under the nail. This is not a fungal infection and will grow out as your nail grows. It is possible that trauma will result in the loss of your toenail. This is normal and shouldn’t concern you.

However, if you have a black spot under your nail that wasn’t caused by trauma, you should visit a podiatrist or dermatologist to ensure that the spot is not a melanoma.

Green Nails

Green nails can be caused by a bacterial infection called Pseudomonas. This bacteria grows between the nail and nail bed. This type of infection can occur if there is a separation between the nail and nail bed. Pseudomonas infection will give off a foul odor and result in a green discoloration of the toenail. To treat the infection, keep the toenail trimmed short and avoid soaking the toenail in water. As the nail grows out, the separation that is allowing the infection to grow should grow out, as well, eliminating the space for infection to grow. Polish can be used to hide the color as the toenail grows. If the infection persists more than a few months, you may wish to seek treatment from a podiatrist. They can prescribe treatments that aren’t available over the counter.

Pitted Nails

Psoriasis and other skin problems can affect the nail matrix, which is the area from which the nail grows. The nail may also be tan in color. Treatments for this condition will be pursued as an overall treatment of psoriasis.

Swelling and Redness Around the Toenail

An infection of the cuticle around the toenail is called paronychia. The infection is often bacterial and can be treated by soaking the affected foot in warm salt water and otherwise keeping the foot clean and dry. If the infection is chronic, yeast can sometimes infect the area, causing further damage. If you are concerned that the infection is not clearing up well, you may wish to seek the advice of a podiatrist.

How do I know if it’s toenail fungus?

As there are other conditions that look similar to toenail fungus, the only way to know for sure is to see your podiatrist. He or she will perform an examination and may need to take a scraping of the nail for lab analysis. Once toenail fungus has been diagnosed, treatment can be prescribed.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

There are several different treatments for men and women suffering from toenail fungus. Oral medications are extremely effective in clearing fungal infections but have been shown to have moderate to severe side effects including: diarrhea, upset stomach, rashes, liver damage, and even heart failure. Many patients with other health problems aren’t candidates for oral medication because of the serious nature of the possible side effects.

Topical treatments for toenail fungus do not have side effects but can be less effective than oral medications in clearing up the infection. Topical treatments have to penetrate the nail in order to attack the fungi living beneath the nail surface. If the topical medications aren’t able to penetrate the toenail, the fungus won’t be eliminated.

Laser treatments for toenail fungus are shown to be most effective with the least chance of side effects. Patients in poor health are still candidates for laser toenail treatments, as the laser treatment doesn’t require any anesthetic or carry any side effects. Laser treatments are fast and effective, leaving patients with clearer nails with zero recovery time.

Toenail Fungus Medication

There are several prescription oral medications for toenail fungus, as well as several topical medications. Oral medications must be taken for several weeks to several months and can have serious side effects.

Topical medications are less effective than oral medicines, as it can be difficult for the medications to penetrate the nail and attack the fungus beneath. However, topical medications do not have the same side effects as oral medications.

Laser nail fungus treatments are effective and have zero side effects. Nearly all patients report at least some improvement in the appearance of their nails after just one treatment and a clinical study reported no adverse side effects from laser use.

Toenail Fungus Removal

Dr. Kleis uses two different lasers in his office to remove toenail fungus. The Cutera Genesis Plus and the Q-Clear lasers allow Dr. Kleis to use different light wavelengths to penetrate the nail and kill a wider spectrum of organisms within the nail. Most patients experience improvement in the appearance of their toenails after a single laser treatment. Removing toenail fungus with lasers is pain-free and doesn’t require any recovery time.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kleis to see if laser treatment to remove toenail fungus is right for you!