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.
Toenail Fungus Treatment Complications
Here are some things to think about when deciding on a nail fungus treatment.
If you have a disease like diabetes, your doctor will make sure you treat nail fungus. This illness often makes you more likely to have other problems from minor foot issues.
You may not be able to take antifungal pills because of side effects or because they donât work well with other drugs you take. If that’s the case, try a product that goes onto your nail. Your doctor will call this a topical treatment.
Be patient. Your nails may not look “normal” after treatment. It can take as long as a year to 18 months for your nail to grow out a fungus.
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.
Don’t Miss: Sally Hansen Hard As Nails French Manicure Kit
Restore Your Toenails With Cutting
If you are suffering from onychomycosis, an infection of the toenails that most often affects people over 50, then you may want to consider laser treatment as a possible solution. This cutting-edge method uses infrared light and intense heat to break down the fungal cells and restore your nails back to health.
There are a few things you need to know before seeking out this type of treatment. First, make sure that you have been evaluated by a doctor as onychomycosis can be serious. Second, always consult with your physician before undergoing any type of surgery or medical procedure because laser treatment is not without risk. Finally, keep in mind that treatment will likely require multiple sessions over a period of several weeks or months.
How Does Laser Treatment Work On Toenail Fungus
Solid state lasers provide continuous or fast-pulsing beams of light that penetrate the toenail, where the fungus exists. Lasers treatments have been used for toenail fungus with minimal risk of side effects. While laser therapy has shown promise as a treatment, results from studies have been inconsistent.
Also Check: How To Hang Art Without Nails
A Removal Of The Nail By Surgery
For severe or recurring fungal nail infections, surgical nail removal may be the answer. It is not always recommended, but it is considered if the infection is acute and is already affecting the health of the sufferer.
This involves the removal of a part of the nail or the entire nail. To prevent future fungus infection in the area, the doctor will destroy the nail matrix by applying chemical to the cuticle area where the nail has been removed. The wound will heal within weeks, but the nail will take six months to 12 to 18 months to grow back.
Although effective, nail surgery can be painful. It can also be expensive. Additional treatment will also be necessary to ensure that there will be no further infections after the surgery.
Introduction What Is Nail Fungus
There may be more to your yellowish and brittle toenail than you think. Not every toenail looks the same, but if yours is looking less than normal compared to your normal ones, then maybe you have nail fungus.Toenail fungus is an infection and the most common disease of the nails. It is also known as onychomycosis and can be caused by different dermatophytic fungi. It begins as a yellow or white spot under the nail, progressing to affect the entire nail and surrounding skin as the infection worsens. Infected nails may be brittle or crumbly, distorted, discolored, and thickened. In worst cases, the entire nails may even become detached from the nail bed.
Read Also: Men’s Pedicure Home Service
How Does Laser Nail Therapy Work
Laser nail therapy involves Dr. Hunter pointing a special, handheld laser device at your infected toenails. The laser device emits pulses of energy that cause your nails and surrounding skin to heat up. The heat envelops the fungus, causing the microbes to die.
The laser pulses during treatment to minimize discomfort and help prevent bleeding. Following laser nail therapy, Dr. Hunter wraps your toes and gives you a list of recovery instructions.
Depending on the severity of your fungal infection, he might also prescribe a round of oral antifungal medication.
Toenail Fungus Treatment Done By Doctors
Toenail fungus treatment will give you the confidence to expose your feet again. Our foot doctors offer unmatched expertise curing toenail fungus, since our foot doctors focus exclusively on toenail fungus removal. Our podiatrists serve Los Angeles, New York City, Dallas, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Phoenix and over 60 other major cities. The foot doctors of Laser Nail Therapy offer state-of-the-art toenail fungus laser treatment, combined with first rate patient care. Most of our locations are open 7 days a week from 9am to 9pm.
-
Unmatched expertise our foot doctors cure over 1200 toenail fungus patients per month
-
Our foot doctors do not use toxic anti-fungal medications
-
No need for 12 week course of oral medications
-
No anesthesia or recovery period
-
Usually, only one treatment required for clear nails
-
The laser light targets the fungus under the nail and does not harm the nail or surrounding skin
Toenail fungus laser treatment is a real breakthrough, bringing new hope to millions of patients suffering from this problem. Our experienced foot doctors have successfully treated tens of thousands of patients with toenail fungus, in over 110 locations across the U.S. and Canada. Contact us if you would like to hear how our foot doctors can help treat your toenail fungus. Click here to learn more about Toenail Fungus Treatment Options.
You May Like: Best Pedicure In Virginia Beach
Do Home Lasers Work On Toenail Fungus
LuxeLuminous is reader supported. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
Toenail fungus is unsightly and frustrating to deal with. But its better to tackle the problem early rather than wait. Its not gonna go away on its own.
Toenail fungus is pretty hard to deal with. There areloads of over-the-counter and homeremediesfortoenailfungus. But these are hit or miss. Prescription medication is better but requires doctors and expense.
Enter laser treatment for toenail fungus. Do home lasers work on toenail fungus? These systems started out as medical treatments, but now theyve come home. Do they work?
In this article, well take a look at whether these new systems are worth trying.
Contents
Benefits Of Laser Toenail Fungus Therapy
Patients who decide to undergo laser therapy to treat toenail fungus often do so after learning about the many benefits that come with choosing this common laser procedure. Once a patients treatment session is over they can expect their toenail to begin growing healthy nail tissue within a matter of weeks.
- Heat Kills The Fungus. The main benefit that comes with undergoing laser treatment is that lasers completely destroy the fungus. The heat generated from the laser immediately eliminates the fungus, making this an extremely efficient treatment option for healing fungus in a patients toenails.
- Little Discomfort. The process of performing laser toenail fungus removal is one that causes very little, if any discomfort to the patient. Patients who do experience any level of discomfort often does so within the first 48 hours after undergoing the laser procedure. Laser therapy doesn’t require patients to take anesthesia.
- Simple Procedure. Laser treatments take between 5 and 15 minutes to perform, depending on the patients overall severity. Many patients only require one treatment to experience successful results. Patients who need more than one treatment must wait 30 days between treatments.
- Quick Recovery Time.Patients can expect to recover from undergoing laser therapy within 2 weeks. Patients have the ability to recover quickly as using a laser to treat toenail fungus reduces the amount of swelling and helps to minimize the formation of scar tissue.
Recommended Reading: Why Do I Bite My Nails
Toenail Fungus: Could Laser Treatment Help
It is common for people to keep their shoes on when they have toenail fungus. The good news is that there is a very effective treatment for toenail fungus that you don’t have to be embarrassed about. There is a treatment for toenail fungus called laser therapy.
At All-In-One Foot Care Center, podiatrists provide a wide range of foot and ankle services, including laser treatment for toenail fungus.
If your toenails are infected with toenail fungus, you can tell if you have it by:
- Have a foul odor
Public pools, showers, or gym facilities are good places for fungus to thrive. Therefore, it is essential to:
- Always wear flip-flops in public
- Do not share towels, socks, or shoes with others
- Make sure your feet are clean and dry
The fungus under your toenail begins as a tiny yellow or white dot. Burrowing deeper under your toenail makes it grow bigger. Your feet’s skin and toenails can also be affected by toenail fungus.
Toenail fungus can be treated at home with some of the following simple remedies:
- Using over-the-counter antifungal creams and lotions
- Reducing pressure on your toenails by trimming them
Laser treatments can be beneficial to those with chronic toenail fungus. Heat and light are used by the laser to kill the fungus in your nails.
Laser treatment for toenail fungus has the following advantages:
- Does not require any downtime, and is painless
- Fast, since it takes 15 minutes or less
- Cost-effective, since a new, healthy toenail can be obtained in four months or less
Does Laser Treatment For Fungal Nail Infections Hurt
We offer two types of laser to treat fungal nail infections: cold laser and hot laser. Neither of these treatments are painful. Cold laser is completely painless, as it uses two cool wavelengths of light simultaneously to clear the fungal infection. We have never had any patient complain of any pain with this treatment.
Hot laser uses heat to act on the fungus, however, this is not typically painful. You may feel a warm sensation over your nail as the laser is applied. This is controlled by your experienced podiatrist, so if youre worried then know they can pause the treatment instantly if you feel any discomfort. Your safety is our priority.
Also Check: How To Hang Up Paintings Without Nails
Common Signs Of Toenail Fungus
Catching the early signs of a problem can help you avoid seeking professional treatment. Warning signs of a toenail fungus include
- Darkening or white or yellow discoloration of the affected nail
- Thickening of the nail
- Crumbling along the edges or tips of the nail, particularly where its discolored
- Redness, swelling, pain, and discomfort around the nail, especially when wearing shoes
- Foul odor coming from the nail
How Are Fungal Toenails Treated
Topical solutions are effective for early infections when your nail thickening is minimal, and your infection is superficial. With thicker nails and deeper fungal infections, Dr. Charisse Dunn typically prescribes oral medication after drawing the necessary blood work.
Another solution is laser treatment of fungal toenails, which can be used in conjunction with, or as an alternative to, oral antifungal therapy. Laser treatment is an excellent alternative for several reasons, such as:
- Its effective for both superficial and deep infections
- It can be used on patients with any medical condition
Its important to remember that fungal infections are often resolved but rarely cured, due to the nature of the organism. A daily regimen of topical antifungal therapy, antifungal spray or powders, and proper hygiene is necessary to achieve the best results.
To find out how you can combat unsightly toenail fungus, call or go online to book an appointment at PGA Foot & Ankle P.A.
You May Like: How To Make Nail Stickers
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.
How Does The Cutera Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus Work
The Cutera GenesisPlus Laser, which is FDA approved in the treatment of nail fungus, works by passing a laser light which gently heats up the skin underneath the infected nail bed. Once the target temperature is reached, the laser has killed the fungus. Since the nails grow very slowly results usually are seen in 6-12 months. Following the treatment, post care instructions will be given.
Recommended Reading: How To Grow Strong Nails Naturally
When Can I Expect To See Results
You may see some improvement in just a few weeks, but youll need to wait a couple of months for the nail to grow out to see better results. It takes at least six months for complete nail regrowth.
Maintaining good foot hygiene and using certain care techniques can help reduce the chance of the fungus coming back after treatment.
Why Medications Can Be Difficult To Administer In Advanced Cases
Our experts can help manage most types of toe fungus with high-quality medications applied directly to the affected areas. Unfortunately, advanced cases of this problem may be very hard to treat with this kind of medication. While it will definitely kill all of the fungus that it reaches and is an effective way of minimizing spread, it could miss it in hard-to-reach areas.
For example, the fungus could grow up and underneath the nail where the medication may not reach. As a result, it could regain strength and grow again from this area. This doesnt mean that you shouldnt consider our medication treatments, but that something more advanced may be in order. It is in this situation that laser treatment becomes so essential for toe fungus.
Recommended Reading: Lawn Fungus Control Home Depot
How Are Fungal Nails Treated
Traditionally, fungal toenails are treated with a combination of oral medications and topical creams and gels the condition is a bit more serious oral medications are used because they have proven to be very effective. The most commonly prescribed medication, which has been effective is Lamisil otherwise known as terbinafine. However, National Foot & Ankle Center offers innovative laser treatments to destroy the fungus and restore the toenails to health. Photodynamic therapy or laser therapy has also shown to be an effective treatment and uses the application of a special light-activated agent or uses a laser to target the affected tissue without damaging the healthy skin. Laser treatment provides quicker resolution of the fungal infection, typically in between 1 and 4 treatments, depending on the severity of the fungal infection. National Foot & Ankle Center provides customized treatment plans for each patient to address his or her specific needs.
If I Have Only One Infected Nail Can I Treat Only That One And Save Time And Cost
Unfortunately, no. The reason for this is that if one of your nails is infected, the chances are that your other nails are infected as well. To allow the treatment to be successful and prevent future self infections, it is best to treat all the nails at once. An exception to this is for the treatment of an isolated fungal infection related to acrylic nail air pockets. In these incidences, we will treat the one affected finger nail.
Also Check: How Much Do Vets Charge For Nail Clipping
