Learning About Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus

By Jayne Rutledge


A fungal infection of the toenails, called onychomycosis, occurs when fungal cells invade the nail bed and nail. The infection causes the nail to become thicker, yellow or brown colored, and brittle. It typically begins with a small white spot that spreads to the entire nail and nail bed. This infection is often difficult to eradicate and tends to return if it is not taken care of completely. An alternative that is available is laser treatment for toenail fungus.

A fungal infection can come with many undesirable and unsightly symptoms. The nails can become brown or yellow, brittle, and thicker. It is common for the texture to change as well. Nails can gradually change shape, to a more pronounced curve, and become flaky on the edges. If the condition persists and worsens, the nail can separate from the bed as the nail continues to become more curved.

People who struggle with this fungal infection often find that topical sprays, ointments, and creams may alleviate some of the symptoms, but they do very little in completely getting rid of the fungal invasion. For many sufferers, the oral medications come with the potential of too many side effects or they pose a risk of interacting negatively with other medications. Neither of these risks is considered acceptable for a lot of sufferers.

Treatments that use lasers for fungal infections can help eradicate the cells in less time than the oral medications. The lasers that are used will involve the energy from light in either a pulse or varying wavelengths. Light energy is directed to the affected toe or toes, and the fungal cells are killed by the heat they absorb. It is a painless procedure and no damage to the surrounding tissue occurs.

Laser treatment of toenail fungus is generally performed in a podiatrist's office. Multiple sessions are usually required. Each session lasts about twenty to thirty minutes. It is often recommended to undergo at least three sessions, although some infections may need more treatments, particularly if the infection has not shown any results from the first few sessions.

Contact your insurance company to determine if the procedure is accepted. In some cases, the company may classify it as solely cosmetic, which may not be covered. If the company does cover it, you should also determine if a pre-authorization is needed.

So far, there are not any known side effects. This makes it an ideal choice for sufferers of various ages. People who have other medical conditions may not be able to take oral medications, but this procedure is considered safe for them. Normal activity can be resumed immediately following a session. There is not a waiting period to wear shoes normally or get a pedicure.

Laser treatment for toenail fungus is becoming a popular way to get rid of the problem. It is not an invasive procedure and does not come with a risk of unwanted side effects or dangerous interactions. You should talk with your doctor about all of your options and which one he or she thinks would be the best for your situation.




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