What Is Nail Fungus?
Toenails can get infected with a fungus through nail cracks or even cuts on your skin. You can spot nail fungus by the fact that your nail may turn yellow, thicken and warp, or become fragile and brittle. Some nail fungus appears as a white spot on the nail that grows larger. It can be complicated because there are different types of fungi and even yeast that attack different areas of the nail. Nail fungus is often painful because it builds up pressure under the nail, which can even push the nail right off the toe. In addition, the fungus can affect the skin of your toes. Without treatment, nail fungus can infect other toenails or even fingernails. Toenails are more susceptible to fungus than fingernails are, however, because feet are in dark and damp shoes all day and fungus loves dark and damp areas.
What Is the Right Treatment for Nail Fungus?
Although there are antifungal creams that can be purchased at a drugstore, they commonly do not work—it isn’t possible to attack the fungus directly because it’s shielded by the nail. The other common treatment for nail fungus is prescription oral antifungal medications, but there are side effects to consider, like liver toxicity.
Glow Aesthetic Center offers a cutting-edge nail-fungus treatment, without surgery, and no medication needed. Our laser nail fungus treatment can help you get your healthy toenails back, so you can relax and wear sandals again.
Glow Aesthetic Center aims our Quanta 4v Nd:YAG laser at the infected nail. Heat penetrates the nail, killing the nail fungus and triggering your body’s collagen production to naturally revitalize your nails, making them healthy again. Our laser nail fungus treatment provides results that last, unlike over-the-counter creams, and without the side effects of oral medications.
How to Take Care of Your Toes
To avoid getting nail fungus in the first place, be sure to take a moment in the shower to wash your feet with soap and water, then dry them thoroughly, even between your toes. When you trim your toenails, cut straight across. Use clean tools—wash your nail clippers with soap and water, then wipe them with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab.
Before or after laser nail fungus treatment, do not paint your toenails because that helps keep the fungus alive and well. Wear moisture-wicking socks and put on a new pair daily. Wear shoes that fit properly. Shoes with breathability are best: look for leather, canvas, or mesh. In the gym locker room or around public swimming pools, wear shower shoes.
For the treatment of nail fungus (onychomycosis), Quanta Laser is safe and effective, per the manufacturer.
Quanta Laser penetrates through the nail into the upper skin layers of the nail bed to kill the bacteria responsible for the fungus
Results of the treatment are slow to appear, between 3 and 6 months after laser treatment begins. Only when the healthy nail grows out will you see that the fungus is gone
Take care of your nails at home to ensure you avoid reinfection. Use antifungal medications on your nails. Lavender oil has been proven effective in neutralizing fungus; when mixed with tea tree oil, it is even more successful
File your nails short. Refrain from picking underneath the nail. Disinfect nail trimmers and nail file after every use
Fungus thrives in a moist, dark setting like your shoes. Spray or powder the interior of your shoes with an antifungal product like Cruex, Dr. Blaine’s Tineacide, 10 Seconds, or Zeasorb. If you can, avoid wearing the same pair of shoes for 2 days in a row in order to allow them to dry out
Switch to cotton socks (no nylon!). Even better, try socks woven with copper threads; they fight fungus. Never wear the same pair of socks for more than a day
Never wear shoes without socks
Getting a manicure or pedicure? Bring your own tools, even a nail file. Never assume the salon will sterilize their tools. Ask how the pedicure or manicure bowl has been sanitized. Remember that fungus is contagious
When in a wet area such as swimming pool, sauna, or gym, never walk without shoes or sandals. Remember to spray those shoes or sandals with an antifungal product afterward
Laser treatment for nail fungus is a slow process that requires your patience. You will not see healthy nails growing in for, sometimes, months. If you do not see healthy nails beginning to grow in within a month, come back for a second treatment
Before Treatment
- Remove any nail polish
- Skin around your nails must be clean, product free, and shaved if there is prominent hair growth
- Trim your nails and use a nail brush to clean them thoroughly
- Use an antifungal spray or powder on all of your shoes. Do this weekly for at least a month
- Avoid topical antifungal ointments or powders for 2 days before treatment
- Bring a change of socks and shoes to your appointment
During Treatment
- Treatments take approximately 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how many nails you are having treated.
- The laser will feel a little warm on your skin. Tell your clinician if you feel discomfort.
- The clinician will pass over the nail with the laser. Discomfort may grow with each pass
After Treatment
- For 48 hours after treatment, avoid sun exposure to the treated areas.
- The treated area will heal quickly, though the majority of patients experience redness from between 2 hours and 2 days after treatment
To Prevent Reinfection
- Apply an antifungal product (cream or spray) twice a day to toes and entire sole of foot for 2 weeks to 3 months, depending on how serious the infection
- Use antifungal powder or spray in all shoes once a week for at least a month
- Wear clean socks and shoes after treatment
- The day of treatment: wash bedding, disinfect the shower and/or bathtub, and thoroughly vacuum carpets
- 24 hours after treatment, you may apply nail polish
- It can take toenails 9 to 12 months to grow out completely, and fingernails 6 to 9 months. Seriously infected nails can take more time to grow
- Most patients require 3 to 5 treatments, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart
