Nail fungus or onychomycosis is an infection caused when a fungus colonizes the nail bed. It affects the toenails much more frequently than it does the nails on the hand.
The same fungi that cause nail fungus can also cause Athlete’s Foot, and it’s a pathogen that’s easy to pick up in gyms, change rooms, and other damp environments. Even sweating in your shoes increases your risk!
The risk of developing nail fungus also correlates with old age, minor skin or nail injuries, and having a weakened immune system or health conditions that impact blood flow.
The best nail fungus treatment approach relies on multiple angles of attack, to reduce your onychomycosis and prevent its recurrence. Here’s what we recommend at Discovery Laser.
Laser technology offers a surprisingly effective treatment for nail fungus, improving the look and feel of the nails quickly and with long-lasting results.
The laser works by targeting the precise level of the skin where the infection is occurring. It emits a powerful beam of light that penetrates through the nail plate. It heats the area to a temperature at which fungus struggles to survive. It doesn’t hurt or impact the surrounding skin!
After multiple treatments, most of the markers of nail fungus infection disappear, and most patients achieve clear, healthy-looking nails and toenails. More importantly – those results tend to last, with clinical trials showing almost no recurrence at a 12-month checkup.
There are many over-the-counter antifungal creams, polishes, and ointments available with or without a prescription. If you’re suffering from nail fungus, you’ve probably already tried dozens of them! Their results are mixed because they can’t penetrate through the nail bed effectively to reach the actual area of the infection.
We find that combining topical creams with laser treatment often leads to the best results.
You may want to speak to your doctor about treating your nail fungus with oral antifungal medication. Oral antifungals require a prescription, and as with many medications, there are side effects and potential interactions. Doctors will often only prescribe oral antifungals in cases of severe infections.
There are a few key signs to look for:
In more severe cases you may also notice a bad odour or separation of the nail from the nail bed.
Generally, nail fungus does not go away on its own. While the symptoms can be more or less extreme, the fungus does not disappear without treatment. That said, if your infection is mild, you might be able to deal with it using OTC topical creams and improved hygiene.
The fastest way to cure toenail fungus is by combining laser treatment with good hygiene and medical care. The laser deals with the fungus swiftly and efficiently, while what you do at home prevents the infection from returning.
At Discovery Laser, we’ll be happy to help you get rid of your nail fungus as quickly and effectively as possible!
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