Important Information About Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus

By Gloria Mason


Today, many health facilities offer laser treatment for toenail fungus. The beam zaps away all the fungi responsible for damaging the appearance of nails. This technique is widely used since it helps individuals avoid complications that may occur when oral medications are used. There are various causes of this problem. Heredity plays a significant role in the occurrence of this problem. Other situations that increase the susceptibility of an individual include aging, circulation problems, perspiring heavily, diabetes, psoriasis and minor injuries of the skin and nails.

Mild forms of nail fungus can be treated through cosmetic procedures. If allowed to progress, it causes an abnormal growth of toenails which cause discomfort and pain during motion. Toenail laser treatment is a good alternative to oral medication. These medications have poor efficacy and carry risks such as nail lacquer and liver damage.

There are various measures that can be put in place to minimize the risk of recurrence. Doctors recommend a proper hygiene program. This may include changing socks on a daily basis, cleaning and drying feet and using an ant-fungal spay on the feet and shoes.

Individuals are highly encouraged to gather information about this procedure before signing up for it. Adequate information can be obtained by consulting a dermatologist or a podiatrist. It is advisable to prepare well for the consultation so as to get the most out of the session with the specialist. This can be done by preparing questions, a list of medications under use, important personal information and symptoms experienced.

The diagnosis involves an examination of the nails. In most cases, the doctor scrapes debris from the nails for analysis and to test for fungi. The debris is examined under a microscope and cultured to identify the exact cause of the infection. This is necessary to determine the best course of treatment. Microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast can infect the nails. Conditions such as psoriasis may also mimic a fungal infection.

The procedure is an outpatient case. The first step is to file the surface of the nails to make it easy for the lasers to penetrate. There is no discomfort experienced during and after the procedure. Most patients report a warming sensation accompanied by mild pinpricks which are not painful. It is a non-invasive procedure and therefore patients resume their activities in no time.

Each session takes about thirty to forty minutes depending on the nature of the problem. Most patients will require about four sessions to eliminate the condition entirely. The laser works by inhibiting the fungus allowing the natural mechanism to function optimally. Most treatments are successful and deliver the desired outcome.

The emergence of laser treatment for toenail fungus has greatly revolutionized the treatment of fungal infections affecting the toenails. It has been proved to be more effective than a majority of oral medications. It is safe as the beams are targeted on the nails without causing any harm to the surrounding areas of the foot. Patients are able to get long lasting results by using topical anti-fungal creams and follow up care.




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