Here Are 5 Things That You Should Know About Laser Treatment For Fungal Toenails
1. It Is 85% 90% Effective While the laser for fungal toenails is the best treatment option available at this time, it is not 100% effective. In a few of the most severe cases, it may be necessary to implement alternative treatment options such as permanent removal of the nail. That is why it is important to have it treated as soon as it is noticed.
2. It Is Not Painful and Does Not Require Anesthesia Laser treatment for fungal toenails is performed in the office and usually lasts 20-30 minutes. No anesthesia is required as it does not cause pain and patients put their shoes on and go about the rest of their day with no aftercare needed.
3. One Treatment Is Usually Enough In over 90% of the cases, one laser treatment is enough to eliminate the problem however, in some of the more stubborn cases it is sometimes necessary to repeat treatment once or twice more to completely eradicate the fungus.
4. Nail Fungus Can Come Back Even though the laser may have completely eliminated the fungus, it can always come back, just like the common cold or any other type of infection. However, with continued weekly application of a topical antifungal polish for protection re-infection is unlikely.
How Does It Work
Laser treatment for toenail fungus works by aiming a 1064nm wave-length laser at the affected area.
The laser delivers light energy to gently heat the toenail bed and kill the toenail fungus and the fungal spores that spread the fungus.
It does this by attacking the fungus in two ways by altering the cellular metabolism of the fungus and damaging the cell components, and with a photo-chemical effect that further damages fungal cell enzymes, proteins and membranes.
In a nutshell? It literally zaps that pesky fungus out of existence.
After the laser treatment takes place and the fungus is killed it requires a little patience to see the results.
The damaged toenail needs to grow out and be replaced by a healthy, fungus free nail, which can take anything from 3 months to a year depending on how much of the toenail was affected.
Take a look at this video to see exactly whats happening under the nail:
DIY laser treatment works a little differently.
In order to be safe, the lasers in the home devices are a pulse laser with a shorter wavelength of around 900 nm which isnt powerful enough to heat the flesh but is still capable of penetrating beneath the surface into the skin tissue.
This is usually coupled with a blue light which works on fighting the fungus cells found on the outer surface of the nail helps to stop the fungus from affecting other toes in the area.
Toenail Fungus Home Care
Sometimes itâs possible to treat your toenail fungus at home. You can try:
- Over the counter antifungal creams or ointments. File or cut off any white markings on your nails. Soak your nails in water and dry off before you put on the medicated cream.
- Special nail care. If you keep your nails trimmed, it can reduce the pressure and pain you feel. You can also thin your nail bed by filing it down. This can help antifungal creams get to the problem easier.
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Is This A Safe Effective Way To Removal Toenail Fungus
The studies on 980nm diode laser treatment for toenail fungus are extremely encouraging, and to date, no known side effects have been found. Long-term effects for 980nm laser treatment for toenail fungus are promising. Coupled with good hygiene of the toes, and follow up treatment with a topical anti-fungal oil, patients should experience good, long-term result in the elimination of the toe nail fungus.
Pros Of Laser For Toenail Fungus Treatment:
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Is Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment Effective
The simple answer to this question is yes. Laser therapy for toenail fungus has been proven to be effective in getting rid of the infection that goes along with fungus. It uses light waves to kill the infection and lessens the invasive nature of the fungus itself. While there isnt much conclusive research, there are many anecdotal instances that are hard to ignore when it comes to assessing its overall effectiveness.
According to Dr. John Mozena of Podiatry Today, Over time, we may find that laser treatment for onychomycosis may become the standard of care for this pandemic we are facing. Its important to keep that technology in mind that Dr. Mozena is referring to, stating that we are quick to utilize new forms of technology for just about every health issue, and nail fungus should be no different.
This type of fungus used to be considered to be nothing more than a cosmetic issue. However, its now being treated as an actual medical issue, due to the way it can spread, and the problems it can cause.
The problem with testing laser treatments effectiveness is that its still a relatively new procedure. Doctors started using lasers in 2009 to treat toenail fungus, and because the infection can be caused by a variety of factors, some results are more inconclusive than most podiatrists would like.
Fungus Treatment Laser Device By Cure Ex
Cure-Ex is one option if you are looking for an at-home treatment device. Cure Ex combines two types of radiation: low-level laser pulse radiation and visible blue light. Cure Ex goes after the fungus spores that are under the nail and can kill off the fungus. It can be used on all infected toes or fingers without any worry of the fungus being transferred. The Cure-Ex has a laser wavelength of 906nm with a blue light wavelength of 470nm. The laser intensity is 22W. You would use it on affected areas minimum once a day for 7 minutes per area. The unit will turn off automatically when the treatment is finished for each area, and you can safely move it to another toe or finger if more than one needs to be treated without having to clean the device . It is a simple unit to operate all you need to do is press one button to start the treatment.
Some users see results by the 4th week of treatment, although to cure and prevent future fungus you must use the device daily a minimum of 3-4 months. Cure Ex was developed by expert professors and podiatrists. It has been approved by the Ministry of Health, European CE mark and now is in the process of registration of the FDA.
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A Review On Toenail Fungus Laser Treatment
Are you currently suffering from a fungal infection on your toenails? Its a debilitating condition and one that causes great concern for most people reeling from such an infection. Its not as uncommon as you might think according to the Australasian College of Dermatologists nearly 3 out of a 100 Australians are affected by toenail fungal infection at some point in their lives. To make matters worse, one can be infected without even realising it that is until its effects have become very much apparent. By then most of the damage has already been done and the infection can be very difficult to cure.
Fortunately, we now have access to more effective and expert treatment for combating fungal infections. One such treatment is using the latest laser technology to eliminate fungus and restore healthy nail growth. What exactly is it though? Does laser for toenail fungus really work?
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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.
What Causes Fungal Nail Infections
Fungal nail infections are caused by the infiltration of the nail bed and nail plate by a fungus. While there are many types of fungus, including those that naturally move through the air outside, the kind of fungus that causes nail infections is most often spread through direct contact with someone that is infected. These infections are often picked up in public pool areas, changing rooms, public showers and gyms because fungus thrives in warm and moist environments.
The fungus feeds on the keratin within your nails, which causes the damaged appearance. This means that once you have an infection, your sneakers and work boots can be an ideal space for the infection to grow and spread so the earlier you start treating the infection, the easier it is.
Signs that you may have nail fungus include:
- A white or yellow discolouration or streaking of the nails
- Rougher nail ridges or thickened nails
- Crumbling, flaky or brittle nails
- The nail may start to lift up and come away at the end
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How Effective Is Laser Therapy For Toenail Fungus
About 10 percent of U.S. adults, or approximately 23 million people, suffer from toenail fungus infection. But unfortunately, the treatments that have been around a while oral medications and topical creams often dont really do the trick. The fungus usually comes back within 12 months. Plus, these treatments can have negative side effects and may have a bad interaction with other medications.
Luckily, laser therapy for toenail fungus is now an option. Since 2010, more than a handful of laser devices have been FDA approved and are used with success by podiatrists as a safe, quick, effective form of treatment.
But what is the process if you use laser therapy for toenail fungus and what can you expect, you ask?
To answer your questions, weve put together some basics on toenail fungus and laser treatment. Keep reading for a quick overview, and then, give it a try to see how it works for you. Our goal and the purpose of laser therapy is to help you clear up those nails so they can grow back healthy and strong.
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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How Does The Laser Treatment Work
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Dr. Penn uses a Q-Switched NdYAG laser which is one of the most advanced dermatologic lasers currently available. In 3-10 billionths of a second, impulses of high power laser energy pass through the nail to the nail bed and nail growth area with typically no damage to the nail or surrounding skin. At the time of the procedure the fungus is expected to be destroyed. However, no visible change is seen until the nail begins to grow out. In a few months, a more normal nail is expected to appear with complete regrowth of the nail taking up to 9-12 months.
What Else Should You Do To Ensure Successful Treatment
Since nail fungus is pretty hard to get rid of and to stop reinfection, there are a few simple things to do to help ensure that your laser treatments are as effective as possible.
- Keep your feet as dry as possible and expose them to light and fresh air often.
- Change your socks and shoes if they get wet. Keep a dry pair of socks available if there is any chance of your feet getting wet.
- If you are in public places like a pool or locker pool always wear flip flop or sandals.
- Trim your nails frequently.
- Use foot baths and soaks with tea tree oil
- If you get manicures or pedicures, bring your own tools so you can ensure that they are sterile.
- Consider using an Ultraviolet Shoe Sanitizer to help kill any bacteria that may linger in your shoes.
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How Laser Treatment Works To Kill Toenail Fungus
Fungal nail infections can be caused by many different types of fungi that live in the environment. Small cracks in your nail or the surrounding skin can allow these germs to enter and cause an infection. Because nails get brittle with age, older adults are more prone to developing a fungal nail infection, as are those with a weakened immune system, circulation problems, diabetes, athletes foot, or who have recently experienced a nail injury or nail surgery. Laser therapy can often be effective in the treatment of this resilient fungal infection by targeting a laser light beam through the nail to kill the fungi without affecting the healthy parts of the nail and surrounding skin. If you have toenail fungus, contact a podiatrist to see if laser therapy treatment is right for you.
MLS Laser Therapy is a successful alternative for treating any pain you may be experiencing related to certain podiatric conditions. If you are interested in MLS Laser Therapy, consult with one of our podiatrists from Podiatry Care Specialists. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
MLS Laser Therapy
Multiwave Locked System Laser Therapy is a patented, FDA-cleared technology that helps relieve pain and inflammation from a number of podiatric conditions, including:
- Heel Pain
How Much Does Laser Treatment Cost
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The cost varies depending on the number of nails involved and severity of the infection. The national average for laser treatment is between $500 and $1200. However, since our practice offers the most state-of the-art laser equipment, we can provide the most effective treatment in less time and at a reduced cost. Our fees range between $295 and $565. A free consultation can be provided to determine if you are a good candidate for laser treatment. Please refer to our fee schedule for costs. The charges are based on the number of nails with obvious involvement. Follow up visits are provided during the first year at no charge. Payment plans are available through CareCredit.
Schedule an consultation with Advanced Podiatry Services for a complete evaluation.
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Laser Toenail Fungus Removal Cost
One of the biggest drawbacks youll find is the cost. Foot care is only now starting to be seen as more than a cosmetic need by many people, but most insurance companies still have not picked up the slack.
Laser treatment will likely be an out-of-pocket expense for you.
There are at-home options becoming more readily available, but they are still rather sparse. And for individuals who have more severe instances of yellow toenail fungus, the best option is to consult a professional and have it treated through them.
There are various types of lasers that professionals use, but most of them require multiple treatments and procedures. This is especially true for cases of toenail fungus that are more than mild. Prices will vary, but the lower-end of these treatments are around $1,000 per session.
At-home options, like the Ncare Nail Fungus remover, can start at out around $200. This is a more affordable alternative if you dont have a severe case.
In the end, when it comes to methods for treating toenail fungus, we think laser removal looks promising.
Though it is still in the earlier stages, its results have been positive and some theorize that it will become the dominant form of care in the coming years, as the laser technology improves.
While it may be expensive, its certainly nothing to be afraid of.
Have you tried laser toenail fungus removal?
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Fungal nail affects nearly 10% of the US population.
While many find the condition to be, simply, an eye sore, fungal nail can also lead to a larger problems including:
- infection of other toenails
Individuals with diabetes are also more susceptible to fungal toenail infections given their compromised immune systems.
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