Anyone who has ever had a fungal infection of one of their toenails knows how bothersome it can be. These infections can be very difficult to get rid of. Oral and topical medications previously were the only options, but the topical medications are not usually effective and oral medications take quite awhile to start working and come with the risk of unwanted side effects. To combat the problem and provide another option, the FDA has approved laser treatment for toenail fungus.
A fungal infection of the toenails can cause many problems. Sufferers commonly experience discoloration of the nail and a thickening or texture change. Flaking and a change in nail shape may also occur. If the condition persists without intervention, the nail can detach from the bed.
People who struggle with this fungal infection often find that topical sprays, ointments, and creams may alleviate some of the symptoms, but they do very little in completely getting rid of the fungal invasion. For many sufferers, the oral medications come with the potential of too many side effects or they pose a risk of interacting negatively with other medications. Neither of these risks is considered acceptable for a lot of sufferers.
Treating fungal infections using lasers involves the use of light energy, either pulsing or at different wavelengths. A special device emits the light energy and is used to direct it to the areas needed. Doctors can treat one toe or multiple ones. The area is heated and cells are destroyed as they absorb the heat. Although the area is heated, patients do not feel pain and no other tissue suffers damage.
Laser treatment of toenail fungus is generally performed in a podiatrist's office. Multiple sessions are usually required. Each session lasts about twenty to thirty minutes. It is often recommended to undergo at least three sessions, although some infections may need more treatments, particularly if the infection has not shown any results from the first few sessions.
Before you begin treatments, you should contact your medical insurance company to determine if the procedure is covered. Many insurance companies will not pay for the procedure because it is cosmetic. Those that do may only pay a portion of the total costs.
Research so far has not yielded any known side effects. It is believed that it is an effective means of getting rid of fungal infections for people who cannot take oral medications and have not had any luck with the topical medications. The procedure does not have limitations on who it can be used on, even because of their age or current health status. Patients who undergo the procedure are free to continue their activities normally after a session.
Laser treatment for toenail fungus is becoming a popular way to get rid of the problem. It is not an invasive procedure and does not come with a risk of unwanted side effects or dangerous interactions. You should talk with your doctor about all of your options and which one he or she thinks would be the best for your situation.
A fungal infection of the toenails can cause many problems. Sufferers commonly experience discoloration of the nail and a thickening or texture change. Flaking and a change in nail shape may also occur. If the condition persists without intervention, the nail can detach from the bed.
People who struggle with this fungal infection often find that topical sprays, ointments, and creams may alleviate some of the symptoms, but they do very little in completely getting rid of the fungal invasion. For many sufferers, the oral medications come with the potential of too many side effects or they pose a risk of interacting negatively with other medications. Neither of these risks is considered acceptable for a lot of sufferers.
Treating fungal infections using lasers involves the use of light energy, either pulsing or at different wavelengths. A special device emits the light energy and is used to direct it to the areas needed. Doctors can treat one toe or multiple ones. The area is heated and cells are destroyed as they absorb the heat. Although the area is heated, patients do not feel pain and no other tissue suffers damage.
Laser treatment of toenail fungus is generally performed in a podiatrist's office. Multiple sessions are usually required. Each session lasts about twenty to thirty minutes. It is often recommended to undergo at least three sessions, although some infections may need more treatments, particularly if the infection has not shown any results from the first few sessions.
Before you begin treatments, you should contact your medical insurance company to determine if the procedure is covered. Many insurance companies will not pay for the procedure because it is cosmetic. Those that do may only pay a portion of the total costs.
Research so far has not yielded any known side effects. It is believed that it is an effective means of getting rid of fungal infections for people who cannot take oral medications and have not had any luck with the topical medications. The procedure does not have limitations on who it can be used on, even because of their age or current health status. Patients who undergo the procedure are free to continue their activities normally after a session.
Laser treatment for toenail fungus is becoming a popular way to get rid of the problem. It is not an invasive procedure and does not come with a risk of unwanted side effects or dangerous interactions. You should talk with your doctor about all of your options and which one he or she thinks would be the best for your situation.
About the Author:
You can visit www.footanklesf.com for more helpful information about Information About Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus.