Laser Fungal Nail Treatment
Onychomycosis, otherwise known as the fungal infection of the nail, is one of the most common toenail conditions, affecting up to 10% of people worldwide. Caused by three main classes of organisms: fungi that infect hair, skin, and nails and feed on nail tissue (dermatophytes), yeasts, and non-dermatophyte moulds, fungal nail infections cause the toenails to thicken, discolour, disfigure and split. These fungi are found almost everywhere in our environment, but there are a few environments where they are particularly prevalent, including public swimming pools and showers, gyms and nail salons. Some patients may also contract fungal nail infection after wearing tight fitting shoes or experiencing some kind of trauma to their nail.
Unsightly and often resulting in a foul smelling odour, this condition can cause severe embarrassment for many sufferers. Though most will seek treatment due to the appearance of the nail, if left untreated, a fungal nail infection can cause pain and discomfort, and in some instances, interfere with walking and exercising.
What are the symptoms of nail infections?
- • Discoloured nails
- • Yellow streaks under the nail
- • Distorted or thickened nails
- • Brittle, crumbly or ragged nail
- • Nails separated from the underlying skin
- • Build-up of debris (nail fragments, skin) under the nail
- • White spots or streaks on the nail surface
Treatment Options
Once a difficult condition to treat, there are now simple solutions available that are completely painless and safe, and will relieve you of brittle, thick, yellow toenails, leaving your feet clean and healthy again.
At Podiatry Healthcare Group, we treat fungal nail infections using GenesisPlus, a laser system that has been proven as a safe and effective solution. To determine the best course of action, the team here at Podiatry Healthcare Group will first assess your feet, and with an 85% success rate after just 2 to 3 sessions of our laser fungal nail treatment, we're confident you'll see results in no time.
How Does Genesis Plus Laser Work?
GenesisPlus is a Nd:YAG 1064nm laser that has been cleared by the FDA to be both a safe and effective solution for the treatment of nail infection.
Laser light from GenesisPlus passes through the nail and the surrounding tissue. The laser light is absorbed by pigment in the fungi, which causes the pigment to heat, and this heat kills or damages the fungal organism. This can result in your nail growing normally.
Unlike many traditional methods, the GenesisPlus Laser is painless and completely safe for the treatment of nail fungi. Where oral drugs can often have symptoms including headaches and upset stomachs, and in some cases even liver damage, laser treatments produce nothing more than a warm sensation in the toes with no adverse effects whatsoever, making this the safest and most effective fungal nail treatment available.
During your laser treatment, the podiatrist will pass the laser beam over the infected nail/s and surrounding skin area. This will be repeated until enough energy has reached the nail bed.
While many patients see improvements after one treatment session, results will vary from patient to patient. Please speak to your podiatrist to discuss your individual treatment plan.
Tips for healthy feet
While your nail infection should improve with laser treatment, it is important to maintain homecare techniques to minimise the recurrence of infection, and to keep your feet healthy in between appointments. You can perform the following home care routine to maintain healthy feet:
- • Check your feet every day for any sores, blisters or swelling
- • Wash your feet everyday with warm water, making sure you dry thoroughly between the toes
- • Keep your skin moist by applying cream to your feet each day
- • Wear clean socks, avoiding ones with ridges or elastic at the top which can restrict proper blood circulation
Book your laser assessment today
Don't put up with brittle, discoloured toenails any longer. Contact our friendly and professional podiatrists today and find out more about the superior laser nail fungal treatment we provide.
In addition to laser treatment, Podiatry Healthcare Group also specialises in diabetic care, sports injuries, and the most comfortable orthotics Australia wide. Contact your closest clinic today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does fungal nail laser treatment work?
Many research studies have shown that laser fungal nail treatment is effective in clearing the infections in a significant number of cases. It's important to discuss with your podiatrist whether this treatment is suitable for you and what you can expect from the treatment. They will be able to give you an idea of the expected outcome and the number of sessions you may need to achieve the desired result.
Can I use fungal nail treatment when pregnant?
It is generally recommended to avoid using any type of medication, including antifungal medication, during pregnancy due to the risk of potential side effects to the developing fetus.
Even though fungal nail laser treatment is a non-invasive procedure that does not require the use of any medication, we recommend consulting a healthcare professional before undergoing any procedure during pregnancy.
Can you put nail polish over fungal nail treatment?
It is not recommended to put nail polish over your fungal nail treatment, and there are many reasons for this.
Nail polish can create a warm and moist environment for the fungus to grow, which is why it’s best to wait until the infection has been fully treated and your nails have fully grown out.
Additionally, nail polish can also make it difficult for your podiatrist to monitor the progress of the treatment and detect any recurrence of the infection.