Certain Patients Benefit From Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus

By Gloria Mason


Onychomycosis, more commonly known as a fungal infection of the nails on the toes, causes the latter to become hard and thick as the fungi continue to grow. The edges of each nail may also crumble, which can cause pain and soreness in the underlying nail bed. Laser treatment for toenail fungus is a new therapy on the horizon that was developed to eliminate this uncomfortable and embarrassing infection.

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 affects more males than females, although it is not yet known why this is the case. Infections of this type are also more common among older people than younger individuals. Again, researchers are not quite certain of the reason for this phenomenon.

Currently, there are 2 types of laser treatment available for fungus of the toenails. One is called patholase, but this kind has not yet been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. This is because preliminary studies do not support the fact that it is effective in treating the aforementioned infection.

The other option for those pursuing laser therapy for fungus of the toenail is called Nomir. Although the latter is also awaiting approval from the US Food and Drug Administration, research has concluded that the treatment is beneficial to most patients. Initial trials showed that 85 percent of those who participated in studies experienced an improvement in their condition within a hundred and eighty days of completing their therapy. Additional research is underway regarding this type of laser procedure.

A laser is a precise light beam, and when it is directed to the tissue where the infection has manifested, the latter is vaporized. It typically takes several treatments to achieve these results. Different wavelengths are used to selectively treat each area, based on the infection's severity. The fungus is killed through the heat from the light beam, and the surrounding tissue is not harmed. Such therapy is associated with essentially no side effects.

The process takes approximately 30 minutes and can be performed in a physician's office. It usually takes three visits in order to administer enough wavelengths to destroy the infection. Anesthesia is not necessary, as the patient typically feels nothing when the procedure is being performed.

Laser treatment for toenail fungus is available to virtually any person suffering from the condition. No adverse reactions have been reported to date, and both shoes and nail polish can be worn immediately after each session. Those who feel they may benefit from this procedure should schedule a consultation and evaluation with a medical professional.




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