Laser Therapy For Fungal Nail Infections

Imagine being able to wear sandals and thongs without feeling conscious about your funky toenails.  If you’ve endured years of thick and discoloured toenails that seems to be getting worse no matter what you’ve tried, this blog is for you.

Fungal nail infections are stubborn to treat and many people go through many over-the-counter creams and tinctures with little to no success.

At The Footcare Clinic we have seen the fungal brigade struggle and have invested in using laser therapy for our many clients who dream of having normal looking nails again.

What causes fungal nail infection?

Your feet are the ideal environment for fungus to thrive in because it’s always warm and moist. Fungal nail infections (also known as onychomycosis) can be caused by many different types of fungi (yeasts or moulds) that live in the environment. Small cracks in your nail or the surrounding skin can allow these germs to enter your nail and cause an infection.  It is contagious which means it can easily spread from one toe to another, or from one person to another.

What do fungal nails look like?

Nail fungus can present in a variety of ways. The whole nail often presents as thick or ragged and appears yellow, green, brown or black. An infected nail may separate from the nail bed and crumble when you cut the nail.  You may also notice an unpleasant odour when cutting a fungal nail.

How does laser treatment work for fungal nails?

Clinical studies show that the laser kills toenail fungus and promotes healthy nail growth with a single treatment in better than 80% of cases. Laser treatment is safe, effective, and pain-free. Laser works by selectively targeting the fungal cells, heating them up and destroying them in the process.  The surrounding healthy skin and tissues are not affected therefore you will not experience any pain.  For this reason, laser treatment does not require any local anaesthesia, and there is no recovery period. It’s a simple walk-in, walk-out procedure with no side effects and no visible harm to the nail or skin.

What happens during a laser treatment for fungal nails?

At The Footcare Clinic, we invest in the latest innovative technology and have been using the K-Laser to treat fungal nail infections.

At your initial consultation, you will:

• receive a comprehensive assessment to ensure that we select the best treatment for you, and really get to the cause of the problem.
• receive a diagnosis, confirming that you have a fungal nail infection (as opposed to another condition that appears like a fungal nail infection)
• learn the cause of the infection and be able to address it
• receive a management plan outlining the course of treatment to not only treat the infection but also prevent it from coming back

Does it hurt?

Laser therapy for nail infections does NOT hurt.  You will only feel a warm sensation around your toes during the treatment.  Laser treatment is gentle and pain-free.  However, our podiatrist will work with your comfort levels and can adjust the laser settings accordingly.

How many treatments do I need?

The number of laser treatments you will require is determined by the number of infected nails, severity of the fungal nail infection, your age and general health. Your podiatrist will advise on the number of laser therapy appointments recommended for your treatment at the initial consultation.   On average, most fungal nail infections will require between 5 – 7 treatments for effective eradication.

If over the counter creams and tinctures hasn’t worked or if taking oral medication poses too much risk to your health, laser therapy would be an excellent choice for you to consider.  It’s a no fuss, pain-free and quick solution for fungal nail infections.  Contact us today on (03) 9711 7562 if you have any questions or you can easily book online for an appointment.  We look forward to seeing you at The Footcare Clinic.