Stop Toenail Fungus in Its Tracks with Laser Treatments

You're far from alone if your toenails have gone from smooth and strong to yellowish crumbles or cracks. Up to 12% of people develop it at some point. 

While toenail fungus isn’t usually dangerous, it can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms and lead to complications in vulnerable populations, such as people living with diabetes.

At Mayfair Foot Care in Commack, New York, Drs. Edward Buro, Christine Peterson, and Rosario Saccomanno offer advanced laser treatment to destroy nail fungus without damaging surrounding tissue.

Let’s take a closer look at toenail fungus, including how laser treatments can help.

Basics of toenail fungus

Toenail fungus happens when a fungal organism, such as dermatophyte, bacteria, yeast, or mold, infects your nails. It can start as an athlete’s foot infection that spreads to your toenails or begin in the nails. Your symptoms may affect one nail at first and then spread to other nails. 

You may be dealing with toenail fungus if your nails are:

• Brittle or crumbly
• Discolored
• Misshapen
• Thickened
• Separated from the nailbed
• Smelly

Most anyone can develop toenail fungus, but your chances are higher if you’re older or spend time in a place where fungi thrive, such as locker rooms or sweaty or moist shoes.

How laser treatments help

If your toenail fungus symptoms are more than mild and temporary, it’s time to consider treatment. And while a medicated cream, polish, or pills may do the trick, we’re pleased to offer a more advanced treatment option using laser therapy.

Laser treatment heats nail layers to destroy the genetic material that fuels fungus growth and survival.

You lie comfortably on an exam table while our team cleans the treatment area with a sterile solution during your treatment. Your provider will then move a special laser device over your foot.

Each treatment takes up to 30 minutes, depending on the severity of your symptoms. Mild bleeding may occur afterward and resolve on its own within a few days. 

Several months later, you should notice improvements in your nails as healthier nail tissue emerges from the bottom up. This timeframe is significantly less than oral medications, which must often be taken daily for 6-12 months.

Toenail laser results

Individual results vary, but research has linked laser treatment for toenail fungus with 63%-90% success rates. 

You’ll likely need at least two laser treatments, performed 5-6 weeks apart, for the best results. You can also have laser therapy in conjunction with a topical cream or polish

Call Mayfair Foot Care or book an appointment through our website today to learn more about chronic ankle instability or get the sprained ankle care you need.