Paterson Location
265 E 33rd St
Paterson, NJ 07504-1520
(973) 684-1011
Paramus Location
299 Forest Avenue
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-599-9255

Laser Treatment of Toenail Fungus

Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment and Removal New Jersey
Offices in Paterson and Paramus NJ

There are many reasons for nails to be deformed and discolored. The most common cause is fungus. This organism likes to grow in warm dark moist areas. There is probably no better place then in a shoe. Another area is from the shower, which if not cleaned well, can harbor this infection.The nail when infected, might only have a light yellowing or white spots on the nail. As the infection develops the nail will get thicker and discolored. It gets difficult to cut and can start to accumulate debris under the nail. Once one nail gets infected others are likely to follow. Below are some pictures of actual patients from the office that were treated with a laser for their problem. Please remember that all patients react to different treatments in various ways.

Before One Month Later Before Three Months Later

 

Treatments
There are many treatments for fungal nails or what is also called onychomycosis. The most conservative is to just thin down the nail every 9 weeks. You can also apply a topical medicine, but this type of medicine does not work well if the whole nail is involved. There are also oral medications that can be taken, all of which can elevate your liver enzymes in a blood test. This is assummed that you take the medicine in the traditional way. Women are warned not to take these medications if they are going to become pregnant.

Laser Treatment of Nail Fungus

The latest treatments available are the use of various lasers.The Pinpointe laser is approved for the partial, temporary clearing of nails. The use of laser in podiatry is not new. For years lasers have been used safely on the foot for wart and other skin conditions.These are the same type of lasers that are being used to treat nail fungus. Although these lasers are approved by the FDA for many skin conditions, many laser treatment of nails are done as an "off label use". These lasers use the same frequency as the pinpointe but can treat a larger area. This is an excellent choice for patients not wanting to take oral medications. After the patient is examined a treatment course is then advised. As there is no real "magic bullet" a combination of treatments might be prescribed. Having treated fungal nails for over 25 years, I have come to the conclusion that the treatment of fungal nails is a process and not an event. My patients are given specific instructions on how to prevent re-infection.

   After a fungal nail infection has cleared up, you can take steps to prevent the infection from coming back.

Keeping the fungus under control will help prevent a fungal infection of the skin from reinfecting the nail. Before bed, thoroughly wash and dry your feet, and apply a non-prescription anti-fungal cream to the entire foot from the ankle down. Use the cream every night, then gradually apply it less often. Keep your feet dry. Dry feet are less likely to become infected. Apply powder to your dry feet after you take a shower or bath.

Other tips:

  • Don't share nail clippers or nail files with others.
  • Don't share shoes or socks with others.
  • Try not to injure your nail, such as by cutting it too short (trauma to the nail may lead to infections).
  • Wear dry cotton socks, and change them two or three times a day if necessary.
  • Wear dry shoes that allow air to circulate around your feet (tight, enclosed, moist shoes contribute to fungal toenail infections).
  • Wear shower sandals or shower shoes when you are at a public pool or shower.