Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus Is A Promising Therapy

By Gloria Mason


Fungal infections of the toenails, for which the technical name is onychomycosis, occur when fungi infect the nails and they become thick and hard. Such infections also cause the edges of each nail to crumble, resulting in painful, tender skin. Laser treatment for toenail fungus is a new therapy developed to eradicate this uncomfortable and embarrassing condition.

The aforementioned infection may first manifest as tiny white spots that gradually begin to spread. Eventually, the entire nail is affected. The fungus may be present in only one nail, or multiple toenails can be infected. Such infections are often challenging to treat, and in many cases it appears that they have cleared up, but they recur in the future. As mentioned above, laser therapy is a new approach to such infections, and many patients have enjoyed success when such therapy was pursued.

Fungi are microscopic growths that thrive in warm, dark, moist environment. This is why many people catch such infections in public swimming pools or showers. The technical term for the fungi that cause such infections is dermatophytes. The tiny openings where the nail bed separates from the nail itself is typically the portal of entry for such infections.

Toenail fungus is more prevalent in men than women, although the reason for this is not yet known. Such infections are also more common among elderly individuals than younger men and women. Again, scientist are not quite sure of the reason for these statistics.

To date, there are two kinds of laser treatment that can be performed on those afflicted with the aforementioned condition. The first is patholase. However, due to lack of evidence of beneficial results, the United States FDA has not yet approved the treatment.

Nomir is the other type of laser therapy available, but it is also pending FDA approval. However, studies concerning this therapy are overwhelmingly positive regarding its rate of success. In preliminary trials, eighty-five percent of participants experienced an improvement within 6 months of treatment. More research is currently being conducted regarding this kind of therapy.

The term laser refers to a light beam that can be concentrated and directed precisely to the area where the tissue is affected. After several treatments, the infected tissues vaporize. Numerous wavelengths are utilized to treat each region selectively, based on how much fungi growth is present. The heat coming from the beam of light kills the fungus, but does not result in any damage to the surrounding tissue. Additionally, there are essentially no side effects linked to such therapy.

The procedure takes approximately thirty minutes and can be done in a doctor's office. It typically takes 3 visits to acquire enough wavelengths to kill the infection. Anesthesia is not needed, as the person generally feels nothing during the process.

Laser treatment for toenail fungus can be performed on essentially anyone. No incidences of adverse reactions have yet been reported, and both nail polish and footwear can be worn immediately following the therapy. Anyone who is interested in this procedure should schedule an appointment with his or her primary health care practitioner for an evaluation and advice.




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