Fungal Nail Infection

 

Onychomycosis is a fungal nail infection and is the most common disease of the nails and constitutes about half of all nail abnormalities. This condition may affect toenails or fingernails, but toenail infections are particlarly common. It occurs in about 10% of the adult population. If left untreated, the skin can become inflamed and painful underneath and around the nail.

 

It works as light is absorbed by the water in the skin underneath and around the nail creating heat. This heat helps to destroy the dermatophytes and eliminate the fungal infection. The laser applicator is placed on the nail and a short pulse of light is released. The entire nail bed and nail matrix is then treated in this way.

 

The treatment can be mildly uncomfortable and some heat can sometimes be felt, however, a skin cooling device can be used to make treatment as comfortable as possible.

There are usually no side effects, however, if the infection is severe, the nail may fall off but is replaced by a smoother, uninfected nail.

 

Treatments are carried out every 2-4 weeks and typically 4-6 treatments are required for optimum results. These results become apparent as the nail grows out, and due to the slow growth of toenails it may take several months for the full results to become noticeable.