What are the symptoms of toenail fungus?
Your toenails can reveal details about the health of your feet. You may have toenail fungus if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Yellow, brown, or opaque white discoloration
- Misshapen, thickened, or distorted nails
- Brittle, ragged nails
- Darkened nails and debris under the bed
- Nails that have separated from the nail bed
- Slight malodor
Although anyone can develop a toenail fungus, older adults, people with a history of athlete’s foot, or those who often bathe or swim in communal areas are at greater risk. Trauma to the nail or diabetes also puts you at a higher risk of developing toenail fungus.
How do lasers treat toenail fungus?
Nail fungus can negatively affect your quality of life and make you feel self-conscious about your feet. If you have a compromised immune system or diabetes, toenail fungus can pose a severe health risk.
Lasers address your fungal toenails at the source of the infection. The precisely directed energy can destroy the fungal organisms without negatively affecting surrounding tissue.
Toenail fungus occurs under and inside the nail, making it hard for topical products to reach and destroy the infection. Oral medications may help, but they often have serious side effects or negatively interact with other prescription medications. Home remedies, such as bleach, vinegar, and tea tree oil, are slow to resolve the problem, if they have any effect at all.
What should I expect with laser treatment for toenails?
Dr. Rosenblatt applies the laser energy directly to your toenails using a wand. You may feel some heat during the treatment, but it’s virtually painless and well-tolerated by most patients. The heat of the laser stimulates cell regrowth and the resurgence of collagen, a skin-strengthening compound.
The process is noninvasive, takes about 30 minutes, and you can return to daily activity immediately following laser treatment.
How soon will I see results from laser treatment?
Treatment results take time to appear. Your nail must grow out for evidence of fungus to disappear. Toenails grow slowly, so this can take several months. On average, you need between three and six laser treatments scheduled a month apart to achieve results.
If you have evidence of toenail fungus, consult Dr. Jeffrey Rosenblatt today for a noninvasive, state-of-the-art way to reclaim your healthy, attractive nails.
