This nail condition is a relatively common one. You may suffer with it yourself, or you may know someone who suffers with it. The good news is that laser treatment for toenail fungus is showing some very promising results. It is a somewhat new procedure, but so far, it seems to be doing a good job.
This toe fungus can make the whole foot look quite ugly. The nails often are discolored, hard, and thick. Sometimes, they even get very soft and will peel or crumble. Some people end up losing the entire toenail. The condition seems to occur most often in the elderly. Men seem to have it more often than women.
Dermatophytes is the technical term for this specific type of fungi. Fungi best thrive in conditions that are moist and wet, such as in a shower or gym. Often more than one nail is affected. The first signs of a problem are usually small white spots on the nail. It has the ability to spread to other nails rather quickly.
Common other treatments are both oral medications and/or topical medications. Neither, however, have been terribly successful. The oral medications are successful about fifty percent of the time, and the topical usually only work about ten percent of the time. It had typically been difficult to treat. It also tends to reoccur even when the treatments do work.
Using lasers to treat this condition seems to have much better results. The doctor uses a specific type of laser for only a short time period. It heats the fungi, and then vaporizes and kills it. Varying wavelengths are available depending on the needs of each individual patient. The most severe cases may need repeat treatments.
There have been no adverse side effects shown with those who use this method. Unlike the other ways to treat which did sometimes have bad side effects for the user. It is done as an office procedure and will take around twenty minutes to complete. One positive for using this method to treat is that no damage is done to the nail or the toe. Shoes may be worn immediately after the procedure. It may take several treatments. It all depends on the problem's severity. This is something you need to discuss with your doctor.
Unfortunately, most medical insurances do not cover the cost for this procedure. They usually consider it to be a cosmetic condition rather than a medical one. You will need to discuss the cost with the doctor before the process begins.
Laser treatment for toenail fungus has shown some very promising results. It seems to have cleared up the nails for at least 90 percent of the patients. Even though the unhealthy nails clear up rather quickly, be prepared for the new nails to take a while to grow back. Also, since this is a relatively new technique, it is unknown if the results will be permanent. Studies are still underway, however, at the present time, it appears to be very effective. Discuss any questions you may have with your own doctor.
This toe fungus can make the whole foot look quite ugly. The nails often are discolored, hard, and thick. Sometimes, they even get very soft and will peel or crumble. Some people end up losing the entire toenail. The condition seems to occur most often in the elderly. Men seem to have it more often than women.
Dermatophytes is the technical term for this specific type of fungi. Fungi best thrive in conditions that are moist and wet, such as in a shower or gym. Often more than one nail is affected. The first signs of a problem are usually small white spots on the nail. It has the ability to spread to other nails rather quickly.
Common other treatments are both oral medications and/or topical medications. Neither, however, have been terribly successful. The oral medications are successful about fifty percent of the time, and the topical usually only work about ten percent of the time. It had typically been difficult to treat. It also tends to reoccur even when the treatments do work.
Using lasers to treat this condition seems to have much better results. The doctor uses a specific type of laser for only a short time period. It heats the fungi, and then vaporizes and kills it. Varying wavelengths are available depending on the needs of each individual patient. The most severe cases may need repeat treatments.
There have been no adverse side effects shown with those who use this method. Unlike the other ways to treat which did sometimes have bad side effects for the user. It is done as an office procedure and will take around twenty minutes to complete. One positive for using this method to treat is that no damage is done to the nail or the toe. Shoes may be worn immediately after the procedure. It may take several treatments. It all depends on the problem's severity. This is something you need to discuss with your doctor.
Unfortunately, most medical insurances do not cover the cost for this procedure. They usually consider it to be a cosmetic condition rather than a medical one. You will need to discuss the cost with the doctor before the process begins.
Laser treatment for toenail fungus has shown some very promising results. It seems to have cleared up the nails for at least 90 percent of the patients. Even though the unhealthy nails clear up rather quickly, be prepared for the new nails to take a while to grow back. Also, since this is a relatively new technique, it is unknown if the results will be permanent. Studies are still underway, however, at the present time, it appears to be very effective. Discuss any questions you may have with your own doctor.
About the Author:
You can visit the website www.footanklesf.com for more helpful information about Good Results With Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus
