Nail Fungi Laser Treatment
What are fungal toe infections?
A fungal infection has an effect on your toenail but usually takes a while to develop and spread so you might not notice it at first.
The fungus can also spread to your other toenails and the skin around the nail.
Here are some of the symptoms to look out for:
- Your nail becomes discolored — often it turns yellow, brown, or white
- Your nail becomes thinker than usual
- Your nail shape becomes warped or twisted
- Your nail loosens or separates from the nail bed
- You feel pain in your toe or foot
- Your nail has a weird smell
How and Why do you get this fungal infection in the first place?
We’re all exposed to plenty of fungi and often nothing happens. That’s thanks to our immune systems. But if something weakens our immune systems the fungi often can appear.
So, a compromised or weakened immune system of any kind is often the culprit and increases your risk of getting a fungal toenail infection. A diabetic or someone whose blood flow to the feet is compromised, for example, weakens your body’s ability to do its thing in your toenails. An injury to the toenail can also make it tougher for your body to fight off fungi.
Men tend to get toenail fungus more than women. It’s also seen more in older people if their immune system weakens. If you smoke, you’re at a higher risk.
If someone in your family has it or someone you come into contact with a lot does, you’re usually at a higher risk too.
How do you know if you have toenail fungus?
Your best bet is to get your toenails looked at first by your doctor or podiatrist. If you see any of the signs we’ve mentioned, just make an appointment for an evaluation. Since the infection will usually spread, you’re 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.
What toenail fungus treatment is available?
So you’re wondering how to treat toenail fungus. Until relatively recently, toenail fungus treatment has been limited to topical anti-fungal creams/nail lacquer and oral medication. They’ve had some success but come with many downsides.
Since these treatments are lacking, people began looking for toenail fungus alternative treatments. Laser therapy show its success in clearing fungal infection and so it was FDA cleared and began to be a top-pick in treating toenail fungus.
How Does Laser Therapy Work?
In simplified terms, the laser therapy device shines a laser light into the toenail, penetrating down on, in, and through the nail to reach the fungus. It “vaporizes the fungus.” It also leaves the skin and tissue around the fungus alone.
Essentially, the laser device is set at a certain wavelength that only the fungus will absorb. When it penetrates the fungus, it destroys it.
If we want to get a little more technical, there are a few ways it can destroy fungus depending on the laser. Most lasers use photothermolysis that causes photomechanical or photothermal damage. We like the non-thermal laser therapy as it is pain-free since it doesn’t use heat. It is still absorbed by the fungus only and damages the structure of the fungus.
But what you need to know is that laser therapy has been proven effective in clinical trials and because of this, the FDA began clearing laser devices.
As with all the treatments, you won’t see the results right away. You have to wait until your nice fungus-free nail grows in. This will take months. But you’ll start to see the difference as the new nail comes in.
Now that you know the basics on toenail fungus and how laser therapy can help you get rid of it, you’re ready to give it a go. We hope so. Your toes will look and feel better and thank you for it.
Why is laser therapy better than other therapies?
Among other reasons, laser therapy is better than other therapies because it is safe. It doesn’t have any of the side effects that come with the antifungals. It also doesn’t have the drug interactions that the oral antifungals can have.
It’s a great option for people that are taking the drugs that interact with the orals or that can’t tolerate the side effects.
The treatment is pain-free and easy. Expect to spend 12 minutes on treating each of your feet once you arrive at our clinic.
And the best perk of all is that the laser can get in through your nail to where that fungus is hiding and get rid of it quickly.
What Is the Treatment Like for Laser Therapy?
The treatments are done in our clinic and lasts about 12 minutes and is pain-free.
And there’s no downtime. We’ll laser your fungus and you’ll get up and leave as nothing happened. Typically, you’ll come in for four treatments. But it depends on you and what your podiatrist recommends.
The laser destroys the fungus but the effects it had on your nail don’t go away until the new nail grows in and pushes it off the nail bed so it can be cut off like you would when you trim your nails. It usually takes six to 12 months for a full new nail to grow in.
Laser Therapy For You
Now that you know the basics on toenail fungus and how laser therapy can help you get rid of it, you’re ready to give it a go. We hope so. Your toes will look and feel better and thank you for it.