Details On Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus

By Marissa Velazquez


Toenail fungal infection is also known as onychomycosis. The nails in the toes become thick, hard and with crumbling edges. In the initial stages, the infection appears as small spots with a white color and spread to have an effect on the whole nail. Either one nail or several of them can be affected. Fungal nail infections are hard to cure and have a tendency to recur. This is why laser treatment for toenail fungus is preferred- it completely gets rid of the infection.

The models of lasers used are diverse. There is the Patholase for instance that does not yet have full approval of the FDA. Various studies have shown that it is not completely effective. There are several other models, others very effective and others waiting the approval of FDA. For the techniques that are effective, improvement is realized within 6 months. Lasers are concentrated light beams which vaporize tissues in the areas affected. Lasers of different wavelengths are chosen according to the area being treated.

The fungus is targeted and then destroyed by the laser, allowing the nail and skin in surrounding parts to remain undisturbed. The heating and killing of fungi is done without affecting nearby tissues. The various brands of tissues work differently. Nevertheless, the basis is to use heat to eliminate the infections.

During initial infection, there is evaluation of the nails affected, the symptoms, before they are filled down. Lasers get maneuvered over affected nails and are even able to be used over those that do not have the infection. One session goes for approximately 30 minutes or so. Whereas some patients will need just a single session, others will need multiple sessions.

Treatments do not clear a nail at once. 6 or 12 months may be required for the nails affected to grow out and thus determine if there was success. The costs to be incurred are normally a downside. Whereas the costs will differ from one provider to another, it averages at about $1000. One should take their time to make comparison of prices and plans of treatments. Using traditional techniques would cost less, just that they are not as effective. In addition, they will not require a single session as is the case of using lasers.

Most of the patients never experience any sort of pain. A warm sensation or a pinprick may be experienced by some people. Due to the ability of the infection to recur, there are care techniques recommended by doctors to minimize the chances of re-infection. The fact that the fungi are present everywhere in the environment makes recurrence a constant challenge.

As to the question of whether having a pedicure or painting nails is prohibited, there would be no problem with that. Patients are allowed to apply polish when they are done with the procedure. Nevertheless, any decorations or polish must be gotten rid of before the procedure. This is a mandatory requirement.

As concerns insurance, laser treatment for toenail fungus may be covered or at times not covered. The procedure is mostly considered aesthetic. This explains health insurance plans do not offer coverage.




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