The most effective technique to treat a fungal nail infection is with toenail laser therapy. Unfortunately, because it is considered “aesthetic,” medical insurance does not currently cover this surgery. There are, however, several options for lowering the expense of laser therapy.
How much does laser treatment for toenail fungus cost?
According to recent studies, 80 percent to 88 percent of nails benefit. It takes a few months for healthy nail growth to appear. The laser has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of nail fungus.
The laser produces heat by generating a laser light near the infrared spectrum, which enters the nail and surrounding tissue, killing the nail fungus. It takes less than 20 minutes to complete the treatment. There is usually no pain, but you may experience a warm or tingling sensation at times.
The day before your treatment, remove all nail paint and lotions from the nail bed region. Before treatment, we may need to clip the nail, but we will take care of that if necessary.
There is no time off from work or extracurricular activity. After treatment, you can manicure your nails or have a pedicure. To prevent re-infection, spray the entire inside of your shoe with an anti-fungal solution.
The price for one foot is $600.00, while the price for both feet is $800.00. Within 1 to 3 months, you will receive a follow-up evaluation and, if necessary, treatment. Although insurance does not cover nail fungus laser therapy, you can pay for it with a Health Savings Account.
If your nail fungus has been present for more than 10 years and has proven to be resistant to treatment, you may require a maintenance program to keep it under control. We recommend a maintenance program for patients in this category, which includes a therapy six months after discharge and another treatment six months afterwards (approximately one year following your original discharge). Only about 15% of all patients, in our experience, require the maintenance program. The maintenance program costs $100.00 for each treatment.
Does laser therapy work on toenail fungus?
The fungus is eradicated using this method. Over the course of three months, it will be necessary to return for treatment. The treatment lasts 5-15 minutes and is given every 30 days for three months. Because the nail grows slowly, it might take anywhere from 6 to 12 months for the new nail to completely replace the infected one. It’s EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE.
In more than 80% of cases, clinical tests show that the laser destroys toenail fungus and encourages clear nail development with just one treatment. The laser treatment is safe and effective, and most patients see a difference after just one treatment.
Alternative techniques, such as prescription topical and oral medicines, both of which have had little effectiveness, have significant advantages over laser nail treatment.
Oral medications like Terbinafine offer a high fungus-killing efficiency as well as a high clinical cure rate. However, many people are hesitant to go this way because it has negative effects and can potentially raise liver enzymes, which are evaluated before and after one month of oral medicine use. Topical treatments work well, but they can take a long time to show results, up to a year. Furthermore, topical treatments must be applied twice daily, every day. Most patients are careful for the first 2-3 months, but frustration causes them to become non-compliant. On the plus side, topical medicines have extremely few systemic negative effects when used correctly. Topical medicines function best when used in conjunction with Laser treatment.
The use of laser treatment for toenail fungus has various advantages.
They are as follows:
If all 10 nails are treated, it takes only 15 minutes to treat toenail fungus on both feet.
Following the treatment, certain protocols must be followed at home to prevent the fungus from reappearing. To see the clearing, the nail must be entirely grown out. This procedure is quite promising, and it has been conducted on numerous patients around the country. The operation is performed by our doctors at Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center, LLP, not by an outside provider, and they are available directly in our Howell, NJ location.
How does the laser work?
A brief increase in clean nails is caused by the laser light. The toenail will not become apparent immediately after the treatment; it will need time to grow out.
Will the fungus come back?
Your healthcare professional will advise you on how to prevent infection recurrence. Because the fungus is found everywhere in the environment, there is a risk of re-infection. Treatments for preventative maintenance are also indicated.
When can I paint my nails or have a pedicure?
The day before your treatment, make sure you remove any nail polish and embellishments. After the treatment, polish can be applied right away.
Is this covered by my insurance?
If you have a Health Savings Account or a Medical IRA, you may be able to cover the entire expense. However, because this operation is deemed aesthetic in most cases, health insurance policies do not cover it.
What is the most effective treatment for toenail fungus?
Antifungal medications taken orally. Terbinafine (Lamisil) and itraconazole are two options (Sporanox). These medications aid in the growth of a new nail that is free of infection, gradually replacing the infected portion. This sort of medication is usually taken for six to twelve weeks. However, you won’t be able to see the final result of the procedure until the nail has fully recovered.
Which laser is best for toenail fungus?
The fungus that dwells in and under the toenail is killed by the Lunula Laser laser. The laser light goes through the nail and the surrounding skin without inflicting any damage. The Lunula Laser is safe and effective, with none of the risks or side effects associated with oral antifungal drugs.
How many laser treatments are needed for toenail fungus?
The lasers used to treat fungus destroy the organisms that live beneath the nail without harming the skin or tissue. In contrast to topical treatments, light can penetrate the toenail and reach the fungus.
Our professionals may file your nails before the operation to prepare the region for the laser. Before your session, you should remove any nail paint or decals from your nails. Although you may feel warmth or tingling on the nail bed during the treatment, it is usually always painless.
Most patients get healthy new nail development after toenail laser treatment, with little harm to the surrounding tissue. The laser foot treatment can stop the fungus from spreading and alleviate the pain and discomfort that comes with it.
Most individuals only require one treatment, though your nail may take six months to a year to return to its previous state (depending on the extent of the infection). While infection recurrence is infrequent, some fungal infections may return and necessitate further treatment.
Because toenail fungus develops and spreads over time, it’s best to get it treated as soon as possible to avoid consequences like toenail loss. Untreated toenail fungus can create major health problems in people who have an immunological condition or diabetes.
Does toenail laser treatment hurt?
Laser treatment for toenail fungus has no known side effects, including pain. You may have a “hot” feeling in your toes depending on the laser therapy. The laser’s energy bursts can be warm, making the toes feel warm.
Are there any new treatments for toenail fungus?
A supplementary New Drug Application for efinaconazole (JUBLIA) topical solution, 10%, to treat onychomycosis was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today. The FDA has extended the approval of efinaconazole for the treatment of toenail fungus in kids over the age of six.
What is the white hard stuff under my toenails?
When other psoriasis symptoms appear alongside nail lesions, it’s likely that psoriasis is affecting the nails as well.
Psoriasis symptoms vary depending on the type, and they might change or worsen over time.
Nail pitting
People with nail psoriasis develop a distinctive pattern of fading nails with deepening pits.
The nails may appear dry at first, then grow ridges that eventually form deep pits or even holes.
Nail loss
Psoriasis, rather than a fungus, is more likely to cause the nails to detach from their beds, resulting in nail loss.
The nails may fall off completely or in parts. A space between the nail and the fingertip normally develops before the nail breaks off.
Fungal infections cause the shape and appearance of the nails to change, although they rarely cause them to fall off.
Nail color and structure changes
Keratin is a protein that aids in the growth of skin and nails. Too much keratin can form under the nail as a result of nail psoriasis. Subungual hyperkeratosis is the term for this overgrowth.
Hyperkeratosis patients may see a white, powdery substance under their nails. When this happens to your toenails, the pressure of your shoes pressing down on your toes might cause pain.
What happens if you leave toenail fungus untreated?
The initial indicators of a fungal nail infection are usually visible changes in the diseased nail’s appearance (s). Although it is rare for an infected nail to cause significant discomfort or permanent disfigurement, it does happen occasionally. If left untreated, fungal nail infections can make walking, exercising, and performing manual jobs like typing difficult. The main signs and symptoms of onychomycosis include:
These signs and symptoms could potentially indicate that a person has nail psoriasis, a persistent autoimmune skin condition that affects the skin beneath the nail. Fingernail psoriasis is more frequent than toenail psoriasis, and it can co-occur with nail fungal infections.
Good to know: Fungal toenail infections can raise the risk of ulceration and other complications in persons with diabetes, thus medical help should always be sought if a fungal nail infection is suspected.
Types of onychomycosis
Tinea unguium, or onychomycosis, is caused by a buildup of dermatophyte fungi. These are parasitic fungi that infect the skin and nails and must live in the bodies of humans and animals to survive. Dermatophytes burrow under the nails to reproduce, causing fungal infections of the nails.
Trichophyton rubrum, the most frequent form of fungus to infect the nails, and trichophyton interdigitale fungi are two types of dermatophytes that commonly cause fungal nail infections. Yeasts, such as candida albicans, and molds, such as scopulariopsis brevicaulis, are other fungi that can cause fungal nail infections.
What is proximal subungual onychomycosis?
Trichophyton rubrum is the most common cause of infection. Infection begins at the proximal nail fold (the base of the nail) and spreads up the newly created nail plate, unlike other types of fungal nail infection.
People with a weakened immune system are more likely to develop proximal subungual fungal nail infection. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) proximal subungual onychomycosis is a clinical sign for the infection (HIV).
What kills toe fungus naturally?
Toenail fungus is a common yet aggravating condition. It can be contracted by showering in a communal area, walking barefoot at a public pool, or even receiving a pedicure. It can swiftly grow under your toenail, thickening and crumbling the nail.
If your toenail fungus is serious, you should get treatment from a local foot doctor. However, if you want to avoid using chemicals or pharmaceuticals, you might try a natural toenail fungus cure. Here are six of the most effective natural treatments:
1. Vinegar, White
When diluted in lukewarm water, white vinegar, also known as Acetic Acid, can help remove fungus. Vinegar’s acidity produces an environment that most fungi find in hospitals, which may aid in the removal of a fungal toenail infection.
2. White Vinegar and Listerine
Listerine’s thymol and menthol evaporate quickly, causing the surface fungus infecting a toe nail plate to become dehydrated. 3-4 times each week, soak for 15-20 minutes.
Tea Tree Oil is a third option.
Tea tree oil is a well-known home cure for a variety of skin problems, including fungus. Apply a few drops of the oil to your toenails twice a day, or soak your entire foot in a mixture of oil and water.
4. Paste of Urea
To dissolve the infected area of the toenail, you can buy urea paste over-the-counter. Then, to avoid infection, apply an over-the-counter antifungal lotion to the affected region. However, you should seek advice from a local foot doctor before proceeding.
5. Tea de Pau D’arco
The bark of a South American tree is known as Pau d’arco. If you soak your feet in the tea for 20 minutes twice a day, it can be just as effective as prescription antifungal medicine.
Vicks VapoRub is number six on the list.
Once a day, apply a small amount of Vicks VapoRub to the infected toenail, and the infection should be gone or considerably reduced.
7. The passage of time
Some fungal nail infections will heal by themselves. If you are patient, infections caused by overuse of nail polish or trauma may heal. Many infections can grow out with your nail if you create a healthy environment for the nail to grow naturally, which could take up to 12-18 months.
Home therapies are ineffective and must be done on a regular basis for long periods of time. More information on toenail fungus treatment can be obtained from our local foot doctor. Contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our caring and skilled Concord foot doctors if you live in the Concord NC region.