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What Is The Best Laser For Toenail Fungus

Is Laser Nail Fungus Treatment Effective

Laser for Toenail Fungus: Does it really work? By Seattle Podiatrist Larry Huppin

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.

Maphie Nail Repair Pen

The Maphi Nail Repair Pen provides an affordable, surprisingly effective treatment for nail fungus. There is no muss and fuss, and if you use it as directed, you should start to see improvement in two or three weeks.

What we like: O-hydroxybenzoic acid is one of the most powerful non-prescription antifungals you can get. When combined with deacetylated chitin, it weakens the cellular structure of the fungal cells then eliminates them.

Flaws: Applying it three times a day means you may run out before the treatment period ends.

Laser Treatment For Nail Fungus Did Not Prove Effective

Becker and Bershow reviewed the scientific studies of laser therapy for toenail fungus and found no effective results in randomized, controlled, clinical trials. In addition, the therapy was not painless and recurrence of fungal infection was high.

However, the authors of the literature review acknowledged that reinfection is so common with nail fungus that it is possible that reinfection, not recurrence of the original infection, was responsible for the unpersuasive results.

Another study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, noted that laser treatment did not produce a cure when tested on humans with toenail fungus. The researchers noted that only one kind of laser light was tested. Nevertheless, they stated about their results: In vivo treatment did not result in onychomycosis cure meaning that the testing of laser treatment on human patients did not produce a toenail fungus cure.

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Can A Fungal Nail Infection Cure Itself

Fungal nail infections typically do not go away on their own without some sort of antifungal treatment. This is because it will usually have everything it needs to grow and thrive, including an endless food source from the keratin that your growing nails are made of.

If you suspect one of your nails has a fungal infection, you should make an appointment with a qualified podiatrist to assess the area and recommend a treatment plan. This is one of our specialities, and we have a range of world-class treatments, including both hot and cold laser, that are proven to have the highest clearance rate of any other anti-fungal treatment currently on the market.

Karlash Finger & Toenail Fungus Treatment Kit

Treating Toenail Fungus with Lasers  NBC 5 Dallas

Miconazole nitrate possesses potent antifungal properties that make it an ideal ingredient in this type of OTC nail fungus treatment. Karlash puts it to good use here, and the result is better-looking nails in just a couple of weeks.

What we like: Miconazole nitrate is suspended in a base of SDA 40B alcohol, which penetrates the nail and dries faster than oil-based treatments.

Flaws: Needs to be applied two or three times every day.

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Kerasal Fungal Nail Renewal Treatment

Rather than going directly after the fungus itself, Kerasal Fungal Nail Renewal Treatment slowly removes layers of damaged, infected nail. In a sense, it acts as an exfoliant for your nails.

What we like: The Kerasal approach is novel but has amassed an impressive record of liberating nails from fungal onslaughts. It leverages the keratolytic properties of urea to remove damaged tissue and then promotes the growth of new, healthy layers of the toenail.

Flaws: You dont get very much in a tube.

Alternative Cures For Toenail Fungus

Although laser toenail fungus removal is an effective treatment for some patients, it is not the only option in the fight against onychomycosis. In addition to costly laser methods, there are several at-home remedies you can try to help clear up your toenail fungal infection. Just be sure to speak with a doctor before trying to rid your infection on your own, especially if you do not see improvement within a couple of weeks of administering natural treatments.

Notice concerning medical entries:

Articles having medical content shall serve exclusively for the purpose of general information. Such articles are not suitable for any diagnosis and treatment of individual illnesses and medical indications. In particular, they cannot substitute for the examination, advice, or treatment by a licensed physician or pharmacist. No replies to any individual questions shall be effected through the articles.

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Pros Of Laser For Toenail Fungus Treatment:

  • Safe, painless treatment, so anesthesia is not required.
  • No recovery time, walk-in, and walkout.
  • The procedure usually requires only 15 minutes on both feet if all 10 nails are to be treated.
  • No side effects of drugs are required.
  • No liver enzyme tests are required.
  • It is 85% 90% effective.
  • One laser treatment session is enough to eliminate the infection in 90% of cases. The remaining 10% may need 2 or 3 more sessions.
  • How Soon Will Laser Treatment Clear The Nail

    Toenail Fungus – Laser Treatments and Remedies

    While a single treatment may be enough, a series of 3 – 4 treatments, spaced 5 – 6 weeks apart, is recommended to achieve optimal results. As the nails resume healthy growth, they will grow in clear. You will start to see results in 2 – 3 months. Nails grow slowly the big toenail can take up to a year to grow from bottom to top. While you may not see a significant improvement for several months, you should see a gradual growth of clear nail and achieve complete clearance in about a year.

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    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 Is The Traditional Treatment Of Onychomycosis

    Because most of these infections are relatively superficial, it would seem that topical treatments ought to work well. This is not the case because the nail unit is relatively impenetrable. In addition, it is common for these infections to be entirely asymptomatic , which doesn’t seem to diminish the patient’s distress with the unpleasant appearance of the nail. A perfect treatment modality would be inexpensive, very effective, and very safe. Sadly, we have not achieved this perfect situation yet.

    Currently accepted treatments include relatively ineffective topical therapies and oral treatments which are reasonably effective but are associated with some degree of risk. Both approaches require a long duration of treatment and the topical therapies in particular are somewhat costly. Most experts agree that surgical approaches like removing the nail plate are ineffective.

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    Is Using A Laser To Treat Nail Fungus A New Procedure

    Lasers have been used extensively for the past 7-10 years for the treatment of nail fungus, resulting in numerous clinical studies. Laser manufacturers have used these results over the years to learn how to better design their equipment, enabling them to maximize therapeutic effects. The Fox Diode Laser, designed and manufactured in Germany, is the latest generation of laser designed specifically for nail fungus therapy. The Fox Diode laser has been used successfully in Germany and Europe for over two years and received Health Canada approval for therapeutic treatment of nail fungus in November 2012. We considered it the most advanced laser for the treatment of nail fungus.

    Where The Laser Treatment Can Be Carried Out

    nail fungus consumer review

    In the U.S.A. companies that have received Food and Drug Administration clearance for the Onychomycosis treatment laser are: Alma Lasers, Inc., PinPointe USA Inc. of Chico, California, CoolTouch Inc., of Rosevile, California and Nomir Medical Technologies Inc., of Brooklyn, NY.

    Alma Lasers, one of the leaders in laser, radiofrequency, light and ultrasound medical and aesthetic devices, had received the FDA approval for their innovative Harmony ®XL laser protocol application for the laser treatment of nail fungus.

    PinPointe USA, Inc. is the leading and also was the first company in laser treatment devices. It is specialized for laser light-based therapies for treating nail fungus. NuvoLase Inc., has attained from PinPointe USA all rights, resources and intellectual properties associated with the PinPointe FootLaser. The PinPointe FootLaseris a cold laser and was the first light-based device to receive FDA clearance to the laser treatment for toenail fungus.

    CoolTouch Inc. received FDA approval for their VARIABreeze 1064nm laser system for treating toenail fungus in November 2011. The CoolBreeze laser procedure takes only twenty minutes.

    from Nomir Medical manufacturers, approved by the FDA for treating podiatry and dermatology conditions uses dual laser frequencies selected to eliminate or reduce the pain that usually go along with other laser therapies.

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    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.

    Available from

    What Are The Standard Toenail Fungus Treatments

    Treatment depends on the type of fungus and the severity of the infection. Your doctor may try one thing or a combination:

    Oral antifungals, such as terbinafine, itraconazole, or fluconazole .

    • There are effective but may cause serious systemic side effects ranging from upset stomach and dizziness to severe skin problems and jaundice.
    • The result is seen when the nail grows back completely while the success rate is usually low in the age above 65

    Laser: Unlike other remedies that provide limited relief or require multiple doses and applications over a period of weeks and months, toenail fungus laser treatment can take as little as one treatment session, with a very high efficacy rate.

    • At Prime foot & ankle specialists, we use laser toenail fungus treatment to help remove toenail fungus from our patients toes. We have seen good results that are backed up by the scientific literature.
    • Toenail Fungus & Ingrown Toenail Surgery:

    Depending upon the severity, the doctor can suggest surgery which may be:

  • Temporary removal:
  • Surgery may temporarily remove the nail to apply the antifungal drug directly to the infectious site under the nail. We generally use this approach with an infected ingrown toenail or a damaged bleeding toenail. It is an excellent treatment option with excellent overall results.

  • Permanent removal:
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    Tips While Using Bleach For Toenail Fungus

    Just in case you need to get the best results, there are some tips to keep in mind. While using bleach foot soak or a paste, use some tactics to get effective treatment. The bleach must be able to penetrate the nail. The deeper it goes, the more successful the procedure would be.

    Here are some of the tips, have a look:

    Best Home Remedies That Help You Combat Digestive Issues
  • Your nails must be trimmed during the treatment activity. The shape must be straight and not curved. It must be closer to the toe line. It is because, the closer it is, the higher the amount of bleach will go into the nail.
  • Do not use any toenail clipper or relatable object belonging to someone else. It could lead to the spread of infection.
  • If your nails are jagged, make them smooth. It is going to lessen the risk of your nail getting pulled off.
  • The foot soak for toenail fungus must be given proper time. The duration must be at least 30 minutes or longer based on the extent of infection.
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    The Q Clear Laser For Treating Toenail Fungus

    What I’ve learned about LASER TREATMENT for TOENAIL FUNGUS.

    UFAI utilizes the FDA approved Q Clear laser system to eradicate toenail fungus. This laser treatment provides the photomechanical disruption necessary to kill the fungal colonies.

    The Q Clear system is painless. Its so accurately targeted that theres no adverse effect on the tissue surrounding the nail. Its both safer and more effective than topical ointment or orally administered medicine.

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    Do Lasers Work Better Than The Medical Approaches For The Treatment And Cure Of Onychomycosis

    Since laser treatment is very new, the data to answer this question are just not available yet, while there is substantial evidence to support the efficacy of medical therapy. Most avid commercial radio station listeners can testify to the prevalence of advertisements touting laser therapy for abnormal nails. Recent reviews of the subject by various journals lament the lack of blinded comparison studies without control groups of sufficient numbers of patients to prove the effectiveness of lasers in treating and curing onychomycosis. A critical interpretation of these studies indicates that laser treatment of onychomycosis is not ready for prime time and should only be used in situations where everything else has failed. It is probably reasonably safe, but its efficacy remains to be proven especially when compared to other accepted treatments. In addition, no long term studies of effectiveness are available, so short-term gains may not translate into cures. As far as cost is concerned, it is unlikely that laser treatment would be less expensive than current medical therapy.

    Analysis Of Initial And Final Osi

    Before the beginning of therapy, the nails were classified according to the OSI as presenting mild, moderate, or severe onychomycosis. After follow-up, these nails were reclassified as mild, moderate, severe, no involvement, or cured. Of the 34 nails treated, 3 nails classified as mild and 1 nail classified as moderate disease progressed to clinical cure. In the remaining nails, decreased, unchanged, and increased OSI grades were observed .

    Table 2.

    Changes in Onychomycosis Severity Index for the 34 nails treated with laser therapy

    By analyzing the data from Table 2, we obtained the following final result: 14 nails showed relative improvement in onychomycosis with OSI grade reduction 17 nails were unchanged and maintained the same OSI grade after laser therapy and 3 nails showed clinical worsening with an increase in OSI grade.

    A 2 test was performed using a significance level = 5%. The result obtained denotes dependence between the initial OSI and the final OSI, indicating a significant relationship. However, the low association scores obtained indicate a weak association between these variables. This weak association may be due to the small sample size, which directly affects 2 test results.

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    Nonyx Fungal Nail Treatment

    Nonyx Fungal Nail Treatment is a potent anti-fungal nail treatment that has been shown to get dependable results for most people. The Nonyx formula works slow, but it does work in most cases.

    What we like: Nonyx relies on a safe and effective combination of deionized Water, ethanoic Acid, and xanthan gum. A formula that has been shown through rigorous scientific analysis to have robust antifungal capabilities.

    Flaws: If you put it on after a bath or shower, make sure your feet are completely dry.

    Study Design Setting And Patients

    Best At

    This was a case study of onychomycosis patients treated with 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser. The patients, diagnosed and treated, were selected from a private Dermatology Clinic located in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Health Sciences Centre of the Federal University of Espírito Santo .

    The inclusion criteria were patients with at least 2 nail abnormalities compatible with a clinical diagnosis of onychomycosis patients who did not use systemic or topical antifungal drugs in the previous 6 months and patients of both genders, older than 18 years, who signed the informed consent form. Patients who did not undergo at least 5 laser therapy sessions, who did not return for follow-up after laser therapy, or who did not agree to provide information about the laser treatment were excluded from the study.

    To perform the clinical assessment of nails diagnosed with onychomycosis, the Onychomycosis Severity Index a classification system that grades the severity of distal subungual onychomycosis developed by Carney et al. was used. The clinical characteristics used to define OSI are the area of involvement, the proximity of disease to the nail matrix, the occurrence of dermatophytoma, and the presence of severe subungual hyperkeratosis .

    Mild onychomycosis is classified by a score from 1 to 5 moderate from 6 to 15 and severe from 16 to 35. Clinical cure scores 0 points. Table 1 shows the OSI score calculation.

    Table 1.

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