Laser nail fungus treatment

Nail Fungus – also known as onychomycosis – “ring worm of the nail”

This condition affects both the fingernails and the toenails. The toenails are affected much more frequently than the fingernails. The prevalence of nail fungus is approximately 8-10% in the adult population.

There is usually no pain associated with this condition unless it becomes severe. Signs of this condition include a thickened, yellow or cloudy nail plate. The nail can also become rough and crumbly and separate from the nail bed.

There are many causes of onychomycosis (“nail fungus”). A few of the more common pathogens include molds, candida (yeast), and fungi.

Some of the more common risk factors include increasing age, poor health, immunosuppression, warm climate and participation in fitness activities.

Treatment of nail fungus until now has been very challenging because the infection is embedded within the nail making it hard to reach.

There are several pharmacological treatments on the market today that have had limited success but they are usually very slow to work (months to years) and carry significant side effects.

There are several lasers that have been FDA approved for treating nail fungus. One of the lasers used for this condition is the CO2 laser. This laser works by killing the fungus with the direct heat of the laser. It also bores tiny holes into the nail plate that allow a drying of the nail bed and provides a conduit down to the nail bed for a topical anti-fungal oil which is provided at the time of the laser treatment.

Laser nail treatments are usually performed at 2-3 week intervals. It normally takes 4-6 treatments to completely clear the nail fungus. Success in total clearance has been as high as 80%.