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Effectiveness Of Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus

Causes Of Toenail Fungus

Laser for Toenail Fungus: Does it really work? By Seattle Podiatrist Larry Huppin

While sweating in your shoes can cause toenail fungus, you can also get it from a friend. Inadequate care for your toenails can allow the fungus to thrive, leading to an infection. The following are primary causes of toenail fungus:

  • Age: Older people are more likely to have toenail fungus as the nails become dry and brittle with age
  • Staying with a person who has a fungal infection
  • An injury in the foot or toenail
  • Walking barefoot in a swimming pool, gym showers locker rooms

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How To Take Keravita Pro

The recommended dosage of Keravita Pro among adults is 2 times per day, taken after every breakfast and dinner meal, respectively. One 60-capsule bottle is equivalent to 30 days of guaranteed full-body immunity. Keravita Pro should be taken for at least 3 to 6 months to ensure optimal protection. It is strongly discouraged that you exceed the recommended daily dose. It is possible to cause more harm than good if you take three capsules daily. Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus Effectiveness

Can Laser Treatments Cure Toenail Fungus What The Research Shows

Last Updated on May 23, 2022 by Zwivel Team

  • Toenail fungus can have a huge impact on self-confidence and quality of life.
  • Laser therapy shows promising results but can be costly.
  • Q-switched lasers are a recent breakthrough that may cure toenail fungus without side effects.

Theres no question that toenail fungus is unpleasant, and often embarrassing. If youve tried different products without success, you have likely discovered how difficult it is to get rid of the hardened, disfigured and yellow appearance of infected toenails.

Laser treatment of toenail fungus gives many people hope that this frustrating condition can be cured safely and precisely. But how does laser treatment work? How much does it cost? And how does it compare to other treatment options? Read on to find out.

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Toenail Fungus: What It Is And Causes

Onychomycosis which is commonly known as toenail fungus refers to when the toenails are infected with fungus. Although many types of fungus are responsible for this infection, laser therapy can destroy them.

On the body, the fungus is usually harmless. However, the case is reversed when the fungus finds its way into the toenails. What the fungi do is feed on toenail tissues. The same fungus is responsible for athletes foot and yeast infection in females.

One common symptom of toenail fungus is an unpleasant smell from your toenails. Also, you may notice dry or cracked toenails. Other symptoms include:

  • Very thick toenails which are difficult to trim
  • Discoloured toenails either white, yellow or black
  • Misshapen toenails
  • Nails loosening from the nail beds.

Why Choose Arizona Foot Doctors For Nail Fungus Removal

Q

At Arizona Foot Doctors of Scottsdale, we use the safe, effective PinPointe FootLaser for gentle, painless toenail laser treatment. Each appointment lasts about 30 minutes, and you can go right back to your regular activities with no downtime. After laser foot treatment, our podiatrists will recommend follow-up visits to assure that the nails are recovering and determine if additional treatments are necessary. When you schedule a consultation with our team, youll learn more about laser toenail fungus cost and what to expect during the procedure.

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What Types Of Treatments Are Available For Toenail Fungus

Until recently, toenail fungus treatment had been limited to topical anti-fungal creams/nail lacquer and oral medication. With limited success and many downsides, these treatments have become secondary to the more effective laser treatments.

The antifungal cream/lacquer has the lowest success rate, ranging from 5-12% . Unless you have extremely mild toenail fungus, topical treatments are very unlikely to effectively penetrate into, underneath, and around the affected toenail.

Prescribed oral medications work somewhat better . Howeverand this is big, however oral antifungal medications have significant medical risks and often interreact with other prescription drugs. Oral medications should not be prescribed without consulting a primary care physician, in order to ensure safety and protection during the months you would be taking these pills.

Side effects might include liver failure, rash, loss of taste, or change of taste , headaches, stomach discomfort, and lupus-like symptoms.

Topical medications require daily applications for at least a year, and often longer. Even then, a lifetime of application on some level is required to prevent a recurrence. Oral medications, similarly, require several months of pills and are usually associated with recurrence at some point afterward.

Studies show the success in clearing fungal infection through laser treatment was good enough for laser treatment to be FDA cleared and is now considered the ideal method to treat onychomycosis.

Hnc Nail Cleaning Fungus Treatment Laser Device

The machine has been designed to be easy to use, and wed say its the most intuitive of the treatment devices on this list. Simply place the laser on the affected nail, push the button and off it goes.

The 905nm laser therapy device works on its own accord and will switch off automatically once the treatment is complete. A standard treatment lasts 7 minutes per nail.

Pros

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Fungal Toenail Diagnosis And Treatment

Patients should visit their local podiatrist if they suspect they have toenail fungus. In its more severe stages, toenail fungus can become very painful. Other infections can develop from toenail fungus that can spread to other parts of the body. Upon examination for fungus, your podiatrist may scrape your nails if he or she finds debris. This sample will be sent to a lab to determine what fungus is causing the condition.

If you believe youre experiencing a fungal toenail infection, we recommend that you speak with a as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis and suggested plan for treatment.

Treat Nail Fungus With Laser In New Jersey

PinPointe Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus by Dr. Bruce Pinker of Progressive Foot Care

Fungal infection of the fingernails and toenails is a distressing problem that is often difficult to cure. Infected nails can be unsightly and uncomfortable. Nail fungus is often treated with oral antifungal medications, such as Lamisil or Sporanox, but treatment is required for an extended period, at least 12 weeks. Often blood tests will be required before and during treatment. Topical antifungals, such as Jublia and Kerydin, can also be effective but must be applied for about a year. Even with antifungal medications, nail fungus can be difficult to treat, and can recur.

For nail fungus that is difficult to treat or for patients that cannot take oral antifungal medications, laser treatment of nail fungus is an option.

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How Long Does It Take To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus With Laser

It takes someone treating Nail Fungus with laser about 3 months to observe a significant improvement and up to 9 months for effected nails to grow out completely. Laser Nail Fungus treatments are typically conducted 2 to 4 weeks apart, if on an aggressive regimen. As condition improves, treatment can be spaced out about 6 weeks apart.

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What Is Laser Toenail Fungus Therapy

What is the process of laser toenail fungus removal? Today’s laser technologies allow a podiatrist to perform a laser procedure to address ongoing toenail fungus problems. This treatment therapy offers patients suffering from constant fungal infection-related toenail problems the chance to finally be fungal-free. How does it work? Toenail fungus therapy works by using the lasers beam to create heat, in turn killing the organisms that are causing the toenail to be infected.

Toenail fungus often thrives at the base of a nail. Laser therapy penetrates both the toenail and the soft tissue. This not only immediately kills the hard-to-target fungus, it also promotes new and healthy nail growth. When it comes to how long it takes for laser toenail fungus therapy to work, most patients can expect to fully heal within 6 to 9 months.

How Laser Treatment Works

Laser Therapy For Toenail Fungus Specialist

Laser treatment uses pulses of infrared energy to create heat. This heat is then focused on the nail plate bed to penetrate where the fungus is present. This laser allows for a focused area of treatment and can avoid damage to other areas of the toe.

Doctors usually use either CO2 or yttrium-aluminum-garnet lasers to increase localized heat. The infected tissue is then gasified and decompressed, killing the fungus in the nail bed without damaging the surrounding skin and tissue.

The laser and heat also have a sterilizing effect. This effect helps to prevent new fungal growth in the affected toenail. With efficient after-care, you can reduce the change or recurrence of fungal infection.

However, when used correctly, the laser does not emit enough heat to kill all the tissue or infection. Due to this, multiple sessions may be required, as some fungal infections can survive treatment. The combination of laser treatment and topical antifungal cream can help to prevent the need for various treatments.

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How Can I Be Sure I Have Toenail Fungus

Hands down, the best way to determine if you have toenail fungus is to get a nail culture done by a podiatrist. If you see any of the signs Ive mentioned, just make an appointment for an evaluation. Because the infection eventually spreads to every toe, it is better to get cracking and treat it early before bigger problems come around. With toenail fungus, its either treat it and fight it away, or dont treat it and let it get worse. Sounds simple, right? Well, the choice is up to you

Early detection also improves the chances for the treatment to work more effectively and quickly before the infection spreads. Also, this early nail culture will set a baseline so that, after treatment with the laser I often take another nail culture to determine the effectiveness of the laser. There are different components to the fungal culture, and your podiatrist is the best person to discuss the results with you. Most importantly, the laser is over 90% effective for just about every type of fungus out there.

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What Should You Expect

Laser treatment for toenail fungus is a simple, pain-free procedure. During the session, your foot doctor will inspect your foot. A debridement, where your toenails are clipped and dead skin clean, may occur prior to the procedure.

The laser therapist usually an experienced podiatrist will clean the foot with a sterile solution. The laser will be maneuvered over the affected nails, using pulses to minimize heat on the skin. In total, a session lasts 30 minutes or less, and 1-3 sessions are needed for lasting results.

Look for these signs of improvement:

Reduce yellow, white or brown toenail discoloration

No more flaky debris under or on the nail.

No more detachment of the nail from the nail bed.

Normal shape and texture of new nail growth .

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Laser Removal For Fungal Nail Infections

Fungal nail infections if mild can be treated with topical paint on nail lacquers. Success rates are variable and the treatment takes many months. Tablet treatments can take up to six month, but is more successful, and also suitable for more severe infection. Success rates are between 40-80% in clinical trials.

Some types of fungus such as moulds, however, do not respond to tablet treatment. The tablets commonly cause side-effects and for some people require blood test monitoring in case of drug-induced liver inflammation.

A growing number of clinical trials have confirmed that laser treatment is as equally effective at treating nail fungus infection with success rates of 53-82%. Moulds can also respond to laser treatment. Dermatologist assessment and mycology may be required for laser or drug resistant cases to establish the specific fungus strain or consider diagnoses other than fungal infection.

Laser treatment of fungal nail infection is quick, painless and just as successful as topical or tablet treatment without any side-effects. It even works for some types of fungus that are resistant to tablet treatment. One treatment every week for four weeks is required. Multiple nails can be treated at each laser session.

Initial assessment is by our laser practitioner. Onward private referral to a dermatologist or back to your GP may be required if the diagnosis is not nail fungal infection.

Symptoms And Causes Of Fungal Toenail

Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment Dr Loren Colon

Fungal infections occur due to fungus getting through the cracks of the toes or cuts in your skin. Common signs that you may have a fungal infection include thicker than normal toenails, oddly shaped toenails, discoloration, a yellowish hue to the nail, and separation of the nail and nail bed. Fungal infections can affect anyone but are most common among men, those with diabetes or athletes foot, and smokers. The risk of having toenail fungus also increases as you age, if another family member has it, and if you have a weaker immune system.

The color of the affected nail tends to be darker because of debris buildup underneath the nail. Toenail fungus is more likely to develop for people who wear socks and shoes that do not allow decent ventilation of the feet. Public showers, gyms, and swimming pools are breeding grounds for toenail fungus, as their damp and humid environments allow for the growth of bacteria.

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How Many Laser Treatments Are Needed For Toenail Fungus

For optimal results, it’s recommended to undergo a series of 3 to 4 sessions of laser treatments that are spaced roughly 5 to 6 weeks apart. Multiple sessions can ensure that all of the fungus is eradicated.

Keep in mind that it is possible to be infected again, which is why it’s important to take preventative measures such as:

  • Keeping your nails trimmed and clean
  • Applying antifungal creams to and in between your toes
  • Sanitizing nail trimmers and reusable emery boards
  • Treating shoes and socks with antifungal powders
  • Wearing shower shoes in showers, especially public showers and swimming pools
  • Avoiding wearing the same pair of socks and shoes multiple days in a row
  • Wearing sweat-wicking socks
  • Cutting back on pedicures and painting your nails

How Does Laser Treatment Work For Fungal Nails

Clinical studies show that the laser kills toenail fungus and promotes healthy nail growth with a single treatment in better than 80% of cases. Laser treatment is safe, effective, and pain-free. Laser works by selectively targeting the fungal cells, heating them up and destroying them in the process. The surrounding healthy skin and tissues are not affected therefore you will not experience any pain. For this reason, laser treatment does not require any local anaesthesia, and there is no recovery period. Its a simple walk-in, walk-out procedure with no side effects and no visible harm to the nail or skin.

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Does Insurance Cover Laser Toenail Fungus Removal

Even though toenail laser fungus treatment is FDA approved and shown effective, it is unfortunately not covered by insurance.

  • This means Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and other insurances do not cover laser toenail fungus.
  • In our opinion, the cost is comparable to what the average co-pay would be, and research has shown that lasers are very cost-effective even though they are not covered.

Hot Or Cold Laser Treatment For Fungal Nail Infections

Pin by Diann Parker on beauty

Thermal laser treatment easily and effectively penetrates the nail and generates heat at the site of infection beneath the nail plate. The fungal cells are destroyed , meaning laser therapy is pain-free. All you will feel is a warm sensation at your nail.

Cold laser fungal nail treatment uses two low-level beams simultaneously on the nail to both damage the living fungus and help your body clear the infection. The frequency of the beams doesnt generate any heat, hence they are called cold lasers. This also means that the treatment is safe, pain-free and has no side effects.

Laser treatment does not require any local anaesthesia, and there is no recovery period. Its a simple walk-in, walk-out procedure with no side effects and no visible harm to the nail or skin.

Its important to note that nails have no living cells even healthy-looking nails. This is an important point as a dead cell has no potential to fight off an infection and heal. This means that once the laser treatment is complete and the fungal cells have been destroyed, the damage from the fungus will not be reversed. As the healthy nail grows out, the damage will slowly disappear, though this will take several months.

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How Do Fungal Nail Infections Spread

Fungal nail infections spread through direct contact with someone who is infected, or through coming in contact with the same surface they have been in contact with, like floors, showers, socks and shoes. As fungus thrives in warm and moist environments, public pool and shower areas, gyms, and changing rooms are the most common places to contract a fungal nail infection. Once you have the infection, it can grow and spread to your other nails inside your sneakers or work boots. You may also contract Athletes foot in the same way.

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