If you have toenail fungus, laser treatment may be the answer. Some symptoms of fungal nails include yellow, white, or brown nail discoloration, thickening of the nail or change in texture, change in shape of the nail and any flaky debris that is present under or on the nail. The FDA has approved a few different types of laser devices for the treatment of onychomycosis, which is another name for a fungal nail infection. Some of the laser devices include PinPointe Footlaser, GenesisPlus and Noveon. These laser devices kill off the nail fungus by emitting pulses of energy that impart heat to the infected tissue on the nail. When the fungus on the nail absorbs the heat from the laser treatment, it will begin to die off. While some patients will have success with a single laser treatment, additional treatments can be prescribed depending on the results. This most often depends on the type of laser treatment being utilized. Laser treatment can be a more expensive method, but it also happens to be the most efficient. If you are dealing with toenail fungus and are interested in laser treatment, consult with a podiatrist. 

Laser treatment can be an effective way to get rid of toenail fungus. If you have any questions about laser treatment, consult with Shaun J. Limon, DPM and Lisa Griffith-Limon, DPM from Limons Foot & Ankle Care. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment for fungal nails.

What Are Toenail Fungal Infections?

Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail, is a relatively common and non-serious condition. Around 10 percent of U.S. citizens are afflicted with fungal nails. Common forms of fungus that infect the nail include dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds.

Symptoms of Toenail Fungal Infections Include:

• Nail thickening
• Brittleness of the nail
• Discoloration of the nail

Diagnosis for Fungal Nails

Fungal infections are diagnosed by fungal culture and microscopy. This will rule out any other conditions such as nail trauma, psoriasis, lichen planus, and onychogryphosis.

What Is Laser Treatment?

Laser treatment is a non-invasive, safe, quick, and painless procedure that uses the heat from a laser to kill fungus in the nail. Each infected nail is targeted with a laser for several minutes. The treatment is usually utilized several different times over a select period. During this time, a podiatrist will keep an eye on the infection.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.