Technological advances are constantly improving medical practices and giving doctors greater options for treating various conditions. This can be seen in many different ways, but especially in the way lasers are used to accomplish countless medical treatments. Here at Foot & Ankle Associates of Florida, we are proud to offer laser treatment as a safe (FDA-approved), effective way to treat Onychomycosis (toenail fungus).
Fungal Nail Infections
Toenail fungus is a fairly common condition, but that doesn’t make it any less embarrassing for individuals suffering from this complaint. The condition is often caused by a dermatophyte fungus, but molds and yeasts can also be responsible. Fungal toenails are often dull, distorted, discolored, brittle, thickened, and crumbly. Left untreated, toenail fungus will not go away.
How Laser Treatment for Fungal Toenails Works
Essentially, we are able to weaken and kill the microorganisms causing the fungus with the use of concentrated light beams (which is what lasers are). Our laser is able to penetrate through the nail bed and effectively eradicate the dermatophytes responsible for the infection.
The process starts by filing down the nail to better allow the laser light to reach deep into the treatment site. Then we use a circular pattern to cover the entire nail. We finish the session by targeting the perimeter of the nail bed to eliminate any fungus in the surrounding tissue, thereby preventing recurrence of the infection.
For optimal efficacy, we usually recommend three sessions, with each session spaced between two and four weeks apart. We will also send you home with a treatment plan to minimize the chance of a reoccurrence.
Advantages of Laser Treatment
Toenail fungus is often treated with oral or topical medications, but lasers have an array of advantages over these more traditional treatment methods.
Topical medications often do a fine job of treating a fungal infection on the surface level, however they are not as effective when it comes to eradicating the offensive fungus residing under the nail. Lasers, however, are able to travel through nail tissue. Additionally, lasers can specifically target the offensive microorganism and leave the surrounding tissue safe from damage.
Oral medication might be able to attack fungus hiding beneath the nail in a way topical medications cannot, but this treatment option produces unwanted side effects for many people. Laser treatment is able to eradicate the fungus, but doesn’t have any serious side effects.
In addition to the efficacy and lack of side effects, patients who undergo laser therapy for fungal nails simply walk out after a treatment session and are able to proceed to work or engage in any activities they had planned for the rest of their day.
Laser therapy for toenail fungus is absolutely safe. As noted earlier, the procedure is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is the regulatory agency responsible for ensuring the safety of not only food and drug products, but also medical equipment.
Fungal Toenail Care at Foot & Ankle Associates of Florida
We provide care for many different foot and ankle conditions for our patients, including fungal toenail infections. We offer the laser treatment option for treating toenail fungus exclusively at our Altamonte Springs and Sandlake office locations. If you would like more information about laser treatment for your fungal toenails, simply give us a call at 407-339-7759 or 352-589-9550 (if calling from Lake County) and one of our friendly staff members will be able to answer any questions you might have. If you are ready to request an appointment with any of our five (5) Florida offices—Altamonte Springs, Kissimmee, Lake Mary, Orlando, or Tavares—you can do so over the phone or by taking a moment to fill out our online contact form today.