Toe Nail Fungus Laser Removal

Which Is The Best At

Are you dealing with fungal toenail infection? Im sure you tried several methods to treat it, like the majority of us, and for sure, most of the treatments were inefficient. A fungal nail infection, also known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium, grows very fast and spread underneath the nail leading to swelling and pain around the nail. Often the fungus causes the nail to break completely. The fungus is difficult to eradicate, but not impossible. Since the 1960s, the laser has been used to treat various medical conditions. Recently, lasers are being used to treat toenail fungus.

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.

The Markham Foot Care Clinic Is Now Offering Laser Nail Treatmentthe Latest Technology In The Treatment Of Thick Unsightly Yellow Nails

The laser treatment, shown in the video below, can effectively and efficiently rid you of ugly unsightly toenail infections in as little as one treatment, depending on the severity of the condition. The mid-infrared laser wavelength penetrates the nail and the nail bed, eliminating the destructive nasty infection thus allowing your own body to revitalize your own nail naturally as it grows out clean, clear and healthy.

Laser toenail treatment studies are very positive and to date no known side effects have been found. Laser nail fungus treatments have success rates of around 80% in clinical trials and are a safe alternative to oral medications that can have side effects.

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What Is Laser Toenail Fungus Removal

Laser treatment for toenail fungus wasnt approved by the FDA until 2010, and since then, it has grown rapidly as a common practice.

The appeal of this solution comes in the concept and possibilities the laser treatment provides. The lasers are able to heat and destroy selective toenail fungi, while leaving the remaining tissue of the surrounding area unaffected.

This not only rids you of the initial problem, but ensures your toe can recover smoothly, without a traumatic healing process. No excess dead skin and no wounds, like other treatments or surgeries may cause just fixing the issue and healing the damage already done.

Additionally, since fungus has the risk of spreading to anything it touches, and hiding in tight places, the laser works by killing it everywhere with minimal contact, so it cant spread.

During most procedures, patients dont have to undergo any sedatives, and instead remain fully aware during the process. No need to clear your schedule it can be a day-trip to the doctors office.

For the most part, patients are able to walk away from the procedure completely fine, only experiencing perhaps a bit of tenderness. Theres no recovery period necessary, though these things are based on the severity of the condition and the opinion of your healthcare provider.

Put An End To Nail Fungus

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This Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus Boasts Incredible Outcomes

• Posted On: Aug 6, 2019

Toenail fungus is incredibly common. It causes the toenail to thicken and look crumbly, discolored, and distorted. Beyond being a source of embarrassment, toenail fungus can have more serious consequences. The fungus can cause pain walking, difficulty cutting the nail, and it may even progress into a more serious infection if left untreated.

The gold standard for treating nail fungus has been prescription oral medication. But oral medication is only effective in about 60% of patients and may cause side effects to the liver. Dr. Jason Bruse, Podiatrist, at Davis Family Physicians | Ogden Clinic is one of the only foot doctors in the area offering an alternative option that he believes is far superior. Learn more about how the fungus can now be removed using laser therapy.

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.

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How Many Sessions Are Required How Long Between Them And How Long Does Each Laser Treatment Take

Initial visit: This visit is for evaluation and to determine if you are a candidate for laser treatment. This visit is covered by most insurance carriers. Well take a complete history and evaluate your condition. If you are a good candidate for laser treatment you will be scheduled for your first treatment. This visit is critical because there are many causes of thick and yellowed nails, and the best treatment will depend on your diagnosis. Before we can determine if laser treatment would be effective for you we may need to take a sample of your nail to send for a lab test to determine if fungus is present.

Treatment #1: At this visit the nails are thinned and the first laser treatment is performed. You are given detailed instruction on preventing reinfection.

LEFT: Before – RIGHT: 2 months post treatment

Treatment #2: This visit is performed 3 months after treatment #1. The nail is thinned again and laser treatment is performed again.

Treatment #3: This treatment is performed 6 months after treatment #1. This is the final laser treatment and review of preventing re-infection.

Understanding Toenail Fungal Infections

Your toenails are made of two types of proteins, called keratin: hard keratin and soft keratin. Toenail fungal infections, or onychomycosis, are caused by fungi called dermatophytes that use the keratin to live, grow, and multiply.

Dermatophytes love warm, moist places, like sweaty socks and shoes, saunas, locker room floors, and showers. If they hitch a ride on your toes, they consume the keratin that makes up your nails. The debris that results is a crumbly residue, which is one of the most common signs of a fungal infection.

Toenail fungal infections are highly contagious, and if you have especially sweaty feet, wear the wrong types of socks and shoes, or have a health condition that increases your risk of foot health issues, like a history of nail injury, psoriasis, a weakened immune system, circulation issues, or diabetes, youre even more likely to develop an infection.

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Does Laser Toenail Fungus Removal Work

However, all that said, theres been significant debate over the toenail fungus laser treatment process. The laser treatment for yellow toenail fungus involves shooting a laser tuned with specific frequency beams to target the onychomycosis generally responsible for toenail fungus.

Different studies have been done, and the process has gained more popularity since its approval by the FDA, but none of them have shown promising conclusive results on a large scale.

Though a few studies have shown favorable results, they did not account for a large enough representation, and these studies were funded by the laser companies themselves.

In short, conclusive studies have not been done to an extent where the treatment is accepted by the larger community, but smaller studies keep producing relatively favorable results.

The video below illustrates how its all done!

What Is Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus

If you have a toenail fungus and it seems like you have tried everything, but it just wont go away, then laser treatment may be what you need to finally get rid of it once and for all. At Silverado Aesthetic Clinic in Calgary we offer this effective treatment to help you eradicate the fungus and promote healthy toenail growth.

How does laser treatment for toenail fungus work?

Laser treatment for nail fungus uses the energy from a powerful beam of light to penetrate through the nail and other tissues in your toe to simultaneously kill the fungus that is growing there and promote healthy new growth of the nail. Laser treatment for toenail fungus has many benefits over other types of therapies, including:

• Effectiveness many other treatments simply dont work that well or fail to fully eliminate the fungus
• Safety there are no side effects or medications involved, and it is FDA-approved
• Non-invasive there is no downtime, and treatment is quick, painless, and easy

What can I expect from this treatment?

During your treatment, after you get seated comfortably, we will pass the laser device over the affected toe to heat the fungi causing the infection, which causes them to die off. Many patients see improvements after just one laser fungus removal treatment, but you will typically need to come back for approximately 3 visits spaced a month apart to achieve the best results.

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How Do You Get Nail Fungus

• Everyone is at risk for developing nail fungus however it is more common in:
• People who are elderly or who have poor health.
• People who go barefoot in public places such public showers, gyms and swimming pools.
• People that get pedicures in spas that dont sterilize their instrument or use the nail polishes on multiple clients.
• People that have a history of fungal skin infections of the feet
• People who have hot, sweaty or moist feet

How Did I Get Toenail Fungus To Begin With

Fungus is everywhere and most of the time thats not a problem. Our immune system is pretty good at fighting off any infections. However, when the immune system is weakened, such as with diabetes, chronic illness, and other diseases, then fungus has the ability to easily set up shop. So, a weakened immune system is often the culprit and increases your risk of getting a fungal toenail infection. In diabetes or vascular disease, where blood flow is not that ideal going down to the toes, the fungus will often become a problem.

Furthermore, a good percentage of the population is simply more susceptible to fungus infections. This is something you may inherit from your parents and have no control over. So if your mom, dad, or aunt Edna have always had those awful, thick, yellow toenails, then there is a good chance you may eventually get them too .

Guys may tend to get toenail fungus more than ladies, and older people tend to get toenail fungus simply because there has been more time on this planet for those toenails to be exposed to the fungus

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Preventions After Laser Treatment For Toenail

If you wish to stay safe in the future too and want to secure your money, then keep yourself safe from further future fungal infections.

Here is what you can do to keep yourself safe.

• Wet feet can cause toenail fungus, you must dry your feet with towel or tissue papers after a wash. Moisture can invite the fungus present on your skin. You must have noticed that when we stay in bath for a prolonged period, the skin of our nails swells, and this is when the fungus tries to sweep in.
• Change your socks if you experience a lot of sweat on your feet. You must prefer wearing synthetic socks over cotton socks in such cases.
• Do not wear tight shoes, always wear shoes with a breathable material.
• Always use the anti-fungal spray in summer, it would not cost you much.
• Do not try to cover your nail with nail polish once it gets infected. It will worsen it.
• Do not cut your skin around your nails as it is the natural protective barrier.

Who Is Eligible Or Recommended For Laser Toenail Therapy

In other words, are there any patients who are not recommended for laser nail fungus removal? Patients not approved to undergo laser nail fungus removal include pregnant or nursing women, those who have pigmented lesions or ingrown toenails, or anyone diagnosed with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, or arterial insufficiency.

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How Does Laser Fungus Treatment Operate

Laser toenail fungus removal operates by creating heat in areas of fungus. This happens through the concentration of light. The heat then works to destroy fungal infections.

There are different types of lasers used for fungus removal. They usually vary by strength. No matter the type of laser treatment you opt into though, all of them utilize the same basic functionality. Leverage heat, kill fungal infections.

Is Laser Nail Fungus Treatment Effective

Before you schedule an appointment, your first question may be, is laser nail fungus treatment effective? Clinical studies show support for this treatments efficacy, and toenail laser treatments are approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. Looking at the clinical trial data/facts, laser nail fungus treatment is effective.

• A 2016 study by the FDA found that patients who received laser foot treatment displayed clear nails at three months and six months after treatment.
• A 2019 study published in the journal American Family Physician by the American Association of Family Physicians found that after 180 days of toenail fungus laser treatment, patients had a 30% cure rate and a 91% improvement in symptoms. The AAFP study also concluded that laser treatment is more effective for fungus removal than both over-the-counter and prescription topical and oral antifungal medications.
• In 2018, the journal Lasers in Medical Science published a study about the efficacy of laser treatment for fungus removal. These researchers reported a success rate of 83.7% among the patient population, who had infections that affected at least two-thirds of the nail.

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Nail Removal For Fungus

Nail removal for fungus is a treatment option that many people consider. Toenail fungus is often stubborn and can persist through different treatment attempts. If youve had the fungus for a long time and feel like you have tried everything to cure it, you may be looking into removing the toenail completely. This is usually a last-ditch attempt to cure fungus when other treatment options have failed. Nail removal for fungus involves a surgery where the entire nail is removed from the nail bed so that a new, healthy nail can grow.

How Soon Will I See Results After My Toenail Laser Treatment

On average, a toenail will replace itself every 9 -12 months. Healthy new nail growth will be visible within the first 2 months as your nail continues to grow following the laser treatment. As part of the treatment plan we highly recommend the use of a topical anti-fungal agent to prevent cross contamination and the use of an anti-fungal shoe spray to reduce the risk of re- contamination.

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Are Fungal Nail Infections Contagious

Fungal nail infections can be contagious from nail to nail, and are transmitted through sharing surfaces as mentioned above, but they are not contagious in the traditional sense, unless you are in close intimate contact or if you share the same quarters. This means it can be spread among families, but you are unlikely to catch it during normal daily activities with an infected person.

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.

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