Toenail fungus is a horrible condition that affects approximately 7% of the adult population. It is extremely painful as well as tremendously unsightly and embarrassing. Nail fungus laser treatment is a relatively new procedure that has been proven very successful and much quicker than previous treatments.
The laser fungus treatment equipment and procedure was developed by a group of medical specialists from the Osteopathic and Alternative Medicine Association in Ontario.
More than 300 treatments were administered in a clinical facility. The procedure had a 96% success rate, depending on the patients overall health.
Nail Fungus Laser Treatment - Treatments to be Aware Of
Oral medications such as Itraconazole, Fluconazole and Terbinafine might be helpful in a fresh nail. The medication helps the nail gradually grow out the infected area, replacing it with a healthy nail. You have to take the medication for six to twelve weeks. Although helpful with some pain relief, real results will not be seen until the nail has had time to completely grow out the infection.
It can take at least four months to completely eliminate the infection, depending on how deep it has grown and how long it has been left untreated. How fast your nail grows is also a factor. Chances of becoming reinfected are quite probable.
Oral treatments are also plagued by many negative side effects. You could experience minor irritations, like headaches, stomach irregularities, skin abrasions or allergic reactions. Sometimes liver damage or heart problems may develop.
Another treatment commonly prescribed is nail lacquer. This involves consistently applying formulas like Ciclopirox to mild or moderate infections. You must apply the lacquer to the infected area as well as the skin surrounding the infection for seven consecutive days. The lacquer is then removed with rubbing alcohol and the process is repeated. This cycles continues for a year or until the infection is cleared.
Not only is this process extremely time consuming, it is very ineffective. Studies show that less than 10% of infections were actually cured. Doctors prescribing this method recommend that in the case of serious infections, the entire nail should be removed and new nail allowed to grow in. It can take many moths to a year for a new nail to regrow, leaving your tender toe unprotected the whole time.
What is Nail Fungus Laser Treatment
Laser treatments for nail fungus, called LAFT, is a unique treatment that actually works. The tiny organisms that crawl underneath the nail and develop into a nasty infection are successfully killed off with a blast of laser.
This can happen to anyone, but those most prone to the condition are people constantly exposed to moist and warm conditions. Athletes who spend a lot of time in sweaty sneakers, swimming pools and public showers have a greater risk of contracting these micro organisms.
You won’t even know you have been infected until the organisms have taken root. It can take several months for any symptoms to appear. At first you may just feel a little tenderness on the toe, usually the big toe, then gradually the nail will change color.
The big toe is affected more than the others because it is constantly pushed up against the tip of the shoe. Common symptoms include:
- Swelling nails
- Discoloration
- Dry, chalky surface
- Brittle nails
- Crumbling edges
- Strange growth patterns or no growth at all
- Strange odors
- Excessive thickness
- Pain
If you do not seek treatment the fungus will continue to grow deeper and spread farther. Eventually the nail will fall off. Prevention is the best medicine, but if an infection does take hold, you should treat it as soon as possible.
To prevent the chance of being infected:
- Wear clean soft socks that will absorb excess sweat and provide adequate ventilation
- Wear shoes with air holes, especially when exercising
- Use water shoes or slippers in public pools and showers to avoid picking up micro organisms inadvertently left on the floor by an infected person
- Don’t share towels or socks or shoes with others, especially someone with a fungus infection
- Keep your feet dry
- Allow your feet to breathe once in a while
- Thoroughly scrub your feet and toenails in your home shower or bath
Nail Fungus Laser Treatment - The Procedure
Nail fungus laser treatment is completely pain free. The laser toenail fungus procedure takes about 20 minutes and you will need approximately one to eight treatments in a two week period to significantly improve your condition. It is recommended that you return to the clinic after a month or two to allow the doctor to check on the nail’s progress.
The toenail fungus laser treatment has been proven to be extremely effective and risk of the infection returning is slim to none. Your personal recovery time and chance of recurrence depend on your hygiene habits and overall health.
Nail fungus laser treatment is completely safe with no ill side effects. The laser beam is directed only at the infected area, similar to laser eye treatment. The surrounding area is not affected in the least. It is recommended that you use some topic cream or lotion right after treatment.
The full effects will not been seen for approximately a month a so after the final treatment. This is because the nail has to have a chance to regrow before the real success can be seen. Even though the fungus is dead, the discoloration needs time to grow out of your old nail.
The initial nail fungus laser treatment assessment costs about $55 and each subsequent treatment will be $55 per nail.