Our Brooksville Foot Doctor Explains Why Laser Therapy Might be the Solution to Your Toenail Fungus
Your once beautiful toenails have become thick, discolored, and brittle. You might even feel a bit embarrassed by the sight of them peeking out from your sandals. These are just a few signs of fungal toenail infection, also known as onychomycosis. It’s notoriously hard to treat. Maybe you’ve even tried different over-the-counter treatments, but nothing seems to work.
At Chapel Podiatry, we understand your frustration. So once we conduct a thorough examination of your issue, we’ll present you with various nail and skin treatment options. One solution that might help is laser therapy for toenail fungus.
Understanding Fungal Toenail Infections
The National Library of Medicine indicates that toenail fungus is a common condition affecting up to 12 percent of people in the U.S. Older adults are more likely to have it than younger, but if the conditions are right, different types of fungi can invade anyone’s nails. What’s worse: if left untreated, fungal infection might spread to other toenails and even affect the skin on your feet.
Why does toenail fungus happen? There really isn’t enough research to point to just one primary reason. However, there are numerous risk factors.
- People who have diabetes often develop this condition.
- Untreated athlete's foot, even though it’s not the same type of fungus.
- Certain environments, such as swimming pools and saunas
- Damaged nails, which create an opening for fungi to enter.
- A weakened immune system caused by a disease like HIV, or by taking medication that suppresses immunity.
The most common type of nail fungus is tinea unguium, caused by a mold known as a dermatophyte.
Science Behind Laser Therapy for Toenail Fungus
This is an innovative treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to target and destroy the fungi causing the infection. The laser penetrates the nail and surrounding tissue, heating the area to a temperature that effectively kills the fungus without damaging the healthy tissue or nail bed.
Some of the benefits of laser therapy include:
- Non-invasive. Unlike surgical options, there's no cutting or removal of the nail.
- Pain-free. Most patients report little to no discomfort during the procedure.
- Quick. Treatment sessions are relatively short, fitting easily into your busy schedule.
At Chapel Podiatry, we use Class IV laser therapy, an FDA-approved treatment that effectively decreases inflammation, improves foot pain, and accelerates healing. Class IV lasers have a power output exceeding 500mW, which allows for deeper penetration into the affected area.
Prescription oral medication is a strong remedy for toenail fungus, but some people might not be able to use it due to concerns with other drug interactions, liver health, or systemic side effects. So knowing that laser therapy might be an option for you presents a more effective path to healing, especially if you’ve experienced resistance to other forms of treatment.
We may also recommend laser therapy to treat your fungal toenails in combination with more traditional approaches. For example, if topical medication alone isn’t working because the nails are too thick or damaged, laser light easily passes through the nail to reach the fungus.
The Laser Treatment Process at Chapel Podiatry
Once we’re able to give you a thorough examination and assessment, we can start laser therapy right away. Here’s what to expect in a typical session with Dr. Charles Chapel and his team.
- We clean the affected toenails and surrounding area.
- Special eyewear is provided to protect your eyes from the laser.
- We’ll apply the laser to each affected toenail, ensuring complete coverage.
- The entire process usually takes about 30 minutes, depending on how many toenails are being treated.
- You'll receive detailed instructions on how to care for your toenails post-treatment.
The number of laser treatments you need depends on the severity of your condition. Some people only require two treatments spaced a few weeks apart.
While laser therapy is effective for many people, it's important to understand that results are not immediate. Healthy toenails need time to grow and replace the infected nail—this process starts at the base of the nail matrix. Generally, you can expect to see:
- Reduced discoloration within 3–6 months.
- Improved nail texture within 6–9 months.
- Full regrowth of a healthy nail within 12–18 months.
It's crucial to maintain good foot hygiene and follow your aftercare instructions to ensure the best possible results.
Don't let fungal toenails prevent you from enjoying life to the fullest. At Chapel Podiatry, we provide a modern approach to podiatric medicine. We aim to improve your health and help you regain your active lifestyle in the most cost-effective way without the restrictions of a larger health care system or limits set by insurance companies. More importantly, we strive to help every patient be as satisfied as our client, Mary Lou, who said we provide “outstanding services along with a caring attitude and efficiency.”