Top Questions About Laser Toenail Fungus Therapy
Scientific studies show in the high majority of all cases laser therapy not only effectively kills toenail fungus, it also supports new and healthy nail growth. Since lasers can be used toeliminate toenail funguswithout harming any of the surrounding toenail tissue, many people living with toenail fungus want to learn more about this treatment option so they can decide whether or not laser therapy is right for them.
How The Hyperblue Plus Laser System Helps
The FDA-cleared HyperBlue PLUS laser system works by using specific wavelengths that penetrate through your toenail to kill the fungus that lives in the nail plate and surrounding tissue.
Unlike traditional treatments, which include topical and oral antifungal medications, the HyperBlue PLUS laser targets fungus embedded in your nail beds beneath your toenail, which is hard to reach with other therapies. But you can rest easy knowing the laser doesnt affect healthy nails or the surrounding tissues.
The HyperBlue PLUS laser treatment typically involves three sessions over eight weeks, though the number of sessions depends on each patients individual needs and may be useful in preventing future infections. The process is fast and easy, taking 10-30 minutes, and doesnt cause any discomfort or side effects.
How Do I Know If I Have Toenail Fungus
A toenail fungal infection has a slow, eroding effect on your toenail but usually takes a while to develop and spread so you might not notice it at first.
Here are some of the toenail symptoms you may encounter:
- Change in color often the toenail turns yellow, brown, white, or eve green
- Nails become thicksometimes so thick you cant get a toenail clipper to work
- Toenail shape becomes curved, twisted, or ingrown on the sides
- Initially, a white dot may show itself which then slowly grows larger
- Toenails become brittle and break easily, sometimes they seem to crumble or get chalky
- Toenails become flaky and break off
- Sometimes the toenail has a “cottage-cheese” type substance especially under the hard-outer shell
- Toenails may loosen and separate off the nail bed occasionally they may even fall of entirely
- You get pain around the toenail as the hard, curved nail digs down into the sides
- There is a bad-cheese smell coming from your toenails
- Eventually, the fungus spreads to your other toes and even out onto the skin on your feet
If left untreated, you can develop a secondary bacterial infection and even get ulcerations, which are extremely dangerous if you are diabetic or have poor circulation. For some people, toenail fungus has even ultimately led to the surgical amputation of toes or even leg amputations.
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How To Find A Doctor Experienced In The Laser Treatment Of Nail Fungus
If you decide you want to try laser treatment for your nail fungus, take the time to find a reliable doctor that has experience with this type of treatment. I have been an active user of laser treatment since it was first FDA approved, my newest laser is extremely effective, quick, and affordable.
The drawback to laser treatment for nail fungus is that it is not currently covered by any insurance. This means it is a completely out of pocket expense for patients, making many people hesitant to try it. Treatment usually takes at least three to five separate laser appointments and sometimes requires a topical treatment as part of a combination treatment to get rid of the problem.
Individuals that have not had success in treating their nail fungus in the past may not be anxious to try another treatment and fail, however, laser treatment is successful for many people, including those who did not have success with other treatments such as ointments and pills. The newest laser has increased success rates dramatically and I have had many happy patients. I estimate the success rate to be 70% or more. Most of the time I believe in combining the laser treatment with my topical treatment, NailPure. After just a few treatments your nail should be looking better again as it grows without fungus.
Toenail Fungus Laser Treatment
Bay Area Foot Care Contents Toenail Fungus Laser Treatment
Bay Area Foot Cares laser treatment centers in the San Francisco Bay Area use the leading toenail fungus laser treatment practices. These practices were established with the goal of effectively eliminating the embarrassment of toenail fungus through a cutting-edge laser treatment.
Bay Area Foot Care providers are offering a safer treatment option with laser technology. GenesisPlus is a 1064 nm laser that emits tiny pulses of light that pass through the toenail to the fungus underneath. The fungus is irradiated without any damage to the surrounding nail or skin. It works through a combination of photo-inactivation of fungus cells and raising the temperature of the nail plate and nail bed to destroy infected nail cells. The treatment process only takes about twenty minutes for five to ten nails. It requires no surgery and no anesthetics. Immediately following the procedure your nail may feel warm for a few minutes. Most patients resume normal activities immediately and will not require any sort of recovery time afterward. The laser treatment of nail fungus is 60-65% effective at clearing fungal infection from fingernails and toenails after only one treatment.
Please call to schedule your free consultation today!
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Is There Clinical Evidence To Prove That Laser Treatment Cures Nail Fungus
Today there is significant clinical evidence to prove beyond any doubt that laser treatment dramatically improves the condition of even a severely infected toenail. As an example, in a recent study conducted on 72 patients over 3 months, follow-up showed that over 90% of the patients were cleared of all fungal infections.
How Do You Know If You Have Toenail Fungus
Your best bet is to get your toenails looked at by your trusty podiatrist. If you see any of the signs weve mentioned, just make an appointment for an evaluation. Since the infection will usually spread, youre better safe than sorry.
Detecting it early also improves the chances for the treatment to do its thing and keep it from moving onto other nails or your skin.
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Why Choose Arizona Foot Doctors For Nail Fungus Removal
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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How Laser Treatment Works
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.
How Do Laser Treatments Work
Toenail fungus, which is also called onychomycosis, is an infection that manifests as a thickening and discoloration underneath the nail. This process can also cause the nail to separate from the nail bed.
About 10% of the general population suffers from toenail fungus at any one time, while this percentage rises the older you get. Its very common!
Although mainly considered a cosmetic problem, onychomycosis reduces the blood supply to the nail bed.
It can even be caused because of your genetic makeup, or if you have a history of fungal infections or psoriasis.
If you smoke, frequent swimming pools, or wear shoes or sneakers that are either too tight or make your feet sweat, then youre also more prone to getting the fungus.
The American Family Physician that found patients having laser treatment on toenail fungus had a 91% improvement in their symptoms after six months of treatment, concluding that they are far more effective than using topical creams and/or antifungal medications.
There are many types of lasers, including those available for home use. Depending on which one your orthopedic doctor will use, the treatment protocol will vary.
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Laser Treatment Compared To Other Options
Laser treatments are typically more effective than other ways of treating onychomycosis. This infection can be treated with topical antifungal medications or oral antifungals, and there are over-the-counter, as well as prescription options. Oral antifungals cause systemic side effects and are not totally effective for curing onychomycosis. Topical treatments tend to be safe, but are not very effective.
Research shows there’s an approximately 45% improvement of onychomycosis with topical medicine and approximately 40% to 66% improvement with oral medication.
However, there does seem to be a range in the efficacy with all of these treatments. Using them consistently while avoiding side effects can be tedious. And combining treatments may be more effective than using a single treatment approach.
When Do You Need A Toenail Laser Removal
There is no specific time for the laser treatment, you can either go for it the day your realized you have toe-nail fungus, or you may wait for the medicines to work.
The toenail fungus laser treatment is a must when your toe is about to crack, and the fungal growth is making it painful. You may lose your if it will not be treated.
Go for laser treatment if you have Diabetes
If you are suffering with any contagious diseases like diabetes, which can not be treated properly. you must immediately think of a laser treatment.
Sometimes people think that taking supplements and using creams will help, it will not supplements already contain sugars and it can disrupt the effect of the diabetic medicines.
Similarly, if somebody is confronting issues with their digestive systems, they must also seek the medical advice for the laser treatment.
Lastly, the pregnant women, a pregnant woman must be very careful about her health. Her gut is responsible to feed the growing child, when there would be this toe-nail fungus, it will disturb the digestion.
So, in such condition it is better to have a laser treatment to remove the fungus once and for all.
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What Is Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is a fungal infection called onychomycosis. Tinea unguium is another name for it.
Its an overgrowth of fungi that are often found on your body together with other bacteria. You can get the fungi from someone else too, like at a nail salon if the tools arent properly sterilized. Its the same fungi that cause ringworm, jock itch, or athletes foot.
The problematic infection happens when the fungi get in through the cracks in your toenails and start to overpopulate in, on, or under the nail. It just loves warm, moist environments and often finds that in your toenail, especially when you wear shoes. And its even happier if youre active and sweat in your sports shoes.
Onychomycosis can infect your fingernails too but thats less common since your hands arent confined to a warm, moist environment like your feet are.
Laser Therapy: Toenail Fungus Laser Treatment Offered At Metrowest Podiatry Services Is An Proven Effective Therapy To Reduce Or Eliminate Fungus Affecting Toenail Plates The Cost Of The Laser Treatment At Metrowest Podiatry Services Is Affordable With A Per Session Price Of $200
Metrowest Podiatry Services have been performing laser therapy on fungal toenails for greater than 8 years and have developed a treatment regimen that yields spectacular results and high patient satisfaction. The treatment regimen consists of 3-4 quarterly laser sessions lasting approximately 30 minutes per session without supplemation of oral medication , or 1-2 laser sessions following 6 weeks or 4 months oral anti-fungal therapy . The specified time frame allows for a consistent ablation of the fungus over a longer period of time, thereby increasing the overall effectiveness. A yearly maintenance session can be scheduled thereafter to limit the chance recurrence of the fungal condition.
Studies detail effectiveness of Fotona laser therapy for the treatment of onychomycosis–click to read: Laser Study.
What Exactly Is Toenail Fungus? And If I Have It, What Do I Do About It?
Cases of toenail fungus can often last years, even decades, until they are properly addressed by a physician. If you are reading this, you have no doubt reached the stage where you would like to get rid of the fungal condition entirely . The question then becomes: What is the best way to get rid of toenail fungus?
The usual course of treatment in addressing toenail fungus involves either oral medications or topical ointments, creams, or polishes — or in especially serious cases, the removal of the toenails and direct treatment of the nail bed beneath.
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Podiatrists Explain About The Dangers Of Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus infection results in thick and yellow toenails, but may also cause other more serious complications. Toenail fungus can cause foot pain. The foot pain usually gets worse when the infection spreads from one infected nail to the other. Another embarrassing symptom of toenail fungus is bad foot odor resulting from fungi debris under the nail. In addition, fungus sheds from the nail and spreads all over your house. This fungus shedding can cause toenail infections to other members of your household. Therefore, the biggest danger is hurting the people you love.
For these reasons our podiatrists recommend starting toenail fungus treatment as soon as possible. Our podiatrists diagnose and cure thousands of nail fungus patients every year. Contact us to learn about our toenail fungus treatment and how our foot doctors can help you get healthy, clear, fungus-free nails.
Toenail Fungus Treatment Results
Toenail Fungus infections are unsightly and embarrassing the infected nail becomes yellow, thick and hard to cut. Although toenail fungus infections are also very common, they can be very difficult to treat. Until recently, the most common treatment for toenail fungus was taking pills that might cause liver toxicity. But several years of research gave birth to a much safer solution: The PinPointe Foot Laser. This safe, quick and painless laser treatment has proven to be a very effective cure for toenail fungus and fingernail fungus infection.
More Than Three Laser Treatments For Nail Fungus
We also often do more than three lasers. We tell our patients up front that three may not be enough treatments. When patients return two months after the third laser we determine if they need additional treatments. We charge half price for these additional treatments. See our pricing page for details.
If after three treatments the laser has not worked for individual patients, we also often change the laser parameters. We adjust the power, speed and how many pulses we perform. If after the three treatments we feel it is not working, we will tell you that, rather than you spending more money on treatment that may not work.
Back on the topic of success rates, while we cannot guarantee results, we have been seeing positive results with the Cutera laser for nail fungus.
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What To Expect During Treatment
Your foot care specialist will typically be able to diagnose your condition by looking at the toenail. They may try to prescribe oral or topical antifungals at first to see if those help your condition. A sample may also be taken to have lab work conducted to confirm your condition.
Before your laser treatment, your doctor may perform what is called a debridement. Your toenail is clipped, and dead skin is cleaned away before the procedure. Your foot will then be cleaned and sterilized, then placed in an accessible position for the laser. Make sure to remove any nail polish or decals as they may hinder the effectiveness of the laser.
The laser will pass over the infected toe and emit heat to destroy the fungus. Your doctor may use the laser on other toes where the spread of fungal infection is possible.
A typical treatment session takes about thirty minutes. While there may be some noticeable improvement after one session, patients often require several sessions. As there is no pain during the treatment, there is no anesthesia required. While there is no pain, some patients do mention feeling a warming sensation.
After your treatment, there is no need to remain in the office. You will typically go about your day following treatment.
In some more extreme cases, the toenail may have to be permanently removed. The nail may grow back, but it will take time and can make walking awkward. Seeking treatment as soon as possible can help to avoid these further measures.
