Do you have Nail Fungus?
Are you embarrassed to go to the nail salon or to the public pools because of your nail fungus?
In your quest for nail fungus treatment, you’ve likely tried topical creams and oral medications. Unfortunately, neither of these treatments are known to have a high success rate. However, treating nail fungus with a laser is very effective and today we’re going to explain why.
What is a Fungal Nail Infection?
A fungal nail infection, also known as onychomycosis, is caused by dermatophytes. These are tiny organisms which live off the keratin found in both skin and nails. Dermatophytes are found everywhere and infection (and reinfection) usually occurs from communal areas such as swimming pools, showers and gyms. Wearing shoes which are too tight or ill-fitting may also increase the possibility of acquiring an infection.
Common symptoms of nail fungus include:
- crumbly, brittle or ragged nail
- nail separation from the nail bed
- yellow streaks under the nail
- white streaks or spots on top of the nail
- thickened or distorted nails
As the infection spreads along the nail and nail bed separation occurs, debris can form under the nail. This can lead to secondary bacterial infections and other complications. Acting quickly once a nail fungal infection is identified helps reduce the damage it causes and spread to other nails.
How Laser Nail Fungus Treatment Works
A laser nail fungus treatment is a highly effective way of destroying the fungi within a nail, allowing the new nail to grow through over time. Research has shown that as a nail fungus treatment, it has a success rate of around 85%. Here at our Auckland clinic, we use the Cutera GenesisPlus Laser which has a light penetration depth of 5mm. This is the only laser which has been specifically designed to treat nail fungi which has TGA approval in Australia and FDA approval in the USA.
Usually, around six laser treatments are required, where we target the laser light to penetrate through the nail plate, surrounding tissue and nail bed. As the fungi pigment is darker than the nail, the light from the laser is absorbed by the fungi cells. When this occurs, the fungi cells heat up which kills it and its spores. The healthy nail around the infected area will continue to grow as normal.
To learn more about our treatment for nail fungus, or to book a consultation with one of our Auckland team, please get in touch with us today on 096308042
Exquisite Laser Clinic