Nail fungus often starts with small changes that may go unnoticed at first. As it develops, it can become a painful, stubborn, and embarrassing condition. There are hosts of treatments out there that promise results but may not deliver. Our team at Oceana Luxe Medspa in Corpus Christi, TX, uses laser technology to provide a proven nail fungus treatment.
How Long Does Nail Fungus Treatment Take?
One of the best aspects of laser nail fungus treatment is how easy it is to fit it into a busy schedule. In about the same amount of time as a lunch break, we can get your nails treated and give you peace of mind.
Benefits of Laser Treatment
No Downtime or Anesthesia
Surgery can be a helpful option when it comes to very severe or resistant cases of nail fungus. That said, if you’re frustrated with the condition of your nails and are considering surgery, it may be worth your while to try laser treatment first. First off, it’s a comfortable and quick process. Surgery is longer, and will involve recovery time and soreness. Laser nail treatment doesn’t need any anesthesia, whereas surgery might.
Surgical nail fungus treatment involves part or all of the nail being removed, and it’s usually reserved for nails that are either very painful and diseased, or infections that just keep coming back. It will take time for the nail to grow back, which can be an uncomfortable process. Laser treatment means you get to keep your nail intact. It helps promote new, healthy growth so the diseased portions of your nail will eventually be replaced by healthy material.
Say Goodbye to Endless DIY Treatments
If you’re suffering with toenail fungus, you’ve probably looked up every possible DIY treatment you could find. There are many treatments claiming to be a quick and easy fix, only for people to find the fungus has stubbornly remained after weeks or possibly even months of different attempts to clear it up.
Some patients are embarrassed by the presence of fungus, which makes them hesitant to reach out for help. The truth is, this is a common condition and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. With the right professional help, you can finally shelf all the ineffective treatments and look forward to tangible results.
It Could Save You Money
Trying a host of different treatments can add up over time. A lot of the supplements and creams being sold for fungus aren’t cheap. If you find yourself in a cycle of hopping from treatment to treatment, or having to re-buy when the fungus makes a comeback, you could be spending more money on treatments than you realize.
By seeking out a treatment that has a proven record, you have a much better chance of improving your symptoms. Many patients see improvements after a single treatment, while others benefit from a few treatments to really kick the infection to the curb. When you come in for a consultation, we can take a look at your needs and give you a better idea of how quickly you can expect lasting results.
More Reliable Than Commercial Treatments
Many remedies that are available commercially are only partly effective, if at all. Even treatments that do work may take months to do so. On the other hand, laser treatments can provide immediate relief and noticeable improvements.
No Need for Oral Medications
Oral medications can be more effective than topical treatments, but they also have more risks associated with them, including side effects and possible interactions with other medications. These oral medications will require a prescription, and the treatment will continue to produce results after the therapy is complete.
With oral medications, it may take a year to see a complete improvement when it comes to the affected nails, but it still tends to be a bit faster than some other topical treatments. This is a testament to just how stubborn fungal infections can be.
It Can Help Prevent Health Concerns
One of the most significant health concerns associated with oral toenail fungus medication is the risk of liver toxicity. In most cases, your liver function will be tested through a blood sample before the start of your treatment. It may be tested again halfway through the treatment, just to be safe. The good news is that this side effect is rare. If it’s noticed, medication will be stopped and the liver toxicity can usually be reversed.
Drug interactions are also possible, so before starting any of these medications you should be certain they won’t interact with anything else you’re taking. In general, while oral treatment for toenail fungus is an option, it’s not a good fit for everyone, especially those with liver health concerns or those who are taking medications that interact with toenail fungus drugs.
No Harmful Side Effects
To compare, nail fungus treatment with a laser has no known harmful side effects. You don’t have to worry about drug interactions or liver health when you get a laser treatment. The laser has one job, which is to target the fungus, and it does that well.
FAQ About Nail Fungus
1. Why Treat Nail Fungus?
It Can Spread
This isn’t a condition where we recommend waiting it out to see if it gets better. Nail fungus is a fungal infection that’s managed to tuck itself under the nail. The most common visual symptom is when the affected nail turns yellow and thickens.
While some people may cover it up with nail polish and hope it goes away, that could aggravate the issue since this contagious infection can start spreading to your other, healthy nails. That means the longer you wait, the higher chance you have that more than one nail will have to be treated.
Untreated Nail Fungus Can Be Dangerous
For those who have an immune disorder, untreated toenail fungus can lead to other more serious health complications.
2. What Can I Expect During Treatment?
The Laser Targets Under the Nail
The laser is able to target problem-causing organisms under the diseased nail while leaving the surrounding skin and tissue unharmed. Light is able to reach right through the toenail to get at the fungus, which is why we may ask that you remove nail polish or artificial nails before treatment. We may gently file the nails if needed as well.
What It Feels Like
Most patients would describe it as a tingling or warm sensation around the nail bed. After you’re done, you should notice improvement as healthy nail material begins to grow in. Due to the infection being targeted, painful symptoms affecting the treated area should improve as well.
Improved Appearance
Even though many patients only need one treatment, it may take a little while for all the signs of the infection to completely go away. The old nail has to be replaced by new growth. As the new growth comes in, you should be able to see that the material is looking more healthy than the rest of the diseased nail.
How To Know if It’s Worked
The best way to determine if the treatment has worked is if your nail feels more comfortable and is looking less irritated. While new growth can take awhile to completely replace the old nail, you should still be able to notice some of this new growth coming in fairly quickly.
All of these things are signs that the infection has been addressed and your nail should be on the road to recovery. If you want to be absolutely sure, you could have a part of your nail or the surrounding skin cultured to check for signs of an active infection.
3. Why Did I Get Nail Fungus?
There are several factors that can contribute to nail fungus. Those with a weakened immune system may be more at risk for it, but anyone can get it regardless of their health. It can be spread from one person to another, and the fungus tends to thrive in warm, moist conditions. If you spend a lot of time in socks and shoes, that may increase your risk level.
Nail deformities or injuries can give the fungus a place to thrive. Other underlying nail diseases may also make your nail more susceptible.
4. Can It Be Prevented?
There are several helpful things you can do to prevent nail fungus from settling in. One of them is to keep your toenails trimmed, and to consistently wash your feet and let them dry. Don’t force yourself to walk in ill-fitting shoes, as that can damage and deform the nail and make infection more likely. Nail clippers and files shouldn’t be shared with other people; the same goes for socks, shoes, and towels.
Antifungal powders and sprays may also be a helpful preventative measure, especially if you play sports. In the end, despite our best efforts, sometimes falling victim to nail fungus is inevitable. That said, if you notice symptoms of nail issues you don’t have to lose hope. Reach out to our team and we can help you get your nail health back on track!
Protect the Health of Your Nails
If you’re ready to learn more about whether this laser treatment could work for you, we’re ready to help you find those answers. Reach out to our team at Oceana Luxe Medspa in Corpus Christi, TX, today to schedule your consultation.
