Is Toenail Fungus Laser Treatment Safe and Effective
by 41 
Toenail fungus is one of the most common infections affecting the feet. Almost fifty percent of nail abnormalities are attributed to fungus. The nail is vulnerable to this type of infection which can create brittle rough and thick nails. While this is not painful, it can be embarrassing and cause difficulties with footwear, so many seek out treatments such as topical creams or toenail fungus laser treatment.
What is Toenail Fungus?
Toenail fungus is a micro-organism which feeds on the skin cells. There are a number of different types of fungus which can create an infection on your toenails. Many can survive a substantial amount of sunlight, detergent and water, so they can be difficult to eradicate without some medical assistance.
Your health care professional will examine the nail and may look at a sample of the fungus to determine its exact type. Once an accurate diagnosis can be obtained, a treatment strategy can be considered.
What is Toenail Fungus Laser Treatment?
Laser treatment has becoming increasingly used for treatment of various diseases and conditions. This form of treatment uses a laser beam which can target the affected area. This specialist equipment uses a number of wavelengths according to the specific needs of the condition.
Toenail fungus laser treatment has been used since the 1980’s. The laser can penetrate deep into the nail bed to eradicate any traces of the fungus, allowing the nail to grow out and repair. This form of treatment is one of the fastest methods of curing toenail fungus. Yet, it is also one of the safest. Laser treatment can target the specific area and attack the micro-organisms of the fungus without damaging the skin cells or internal organs. While topical treatments can take weeks to achieve any visible results, many patients find that nail growth can be achieved after only one or two sessions of laser treatment. This allows the nail to recover quickly and regain a healthy appearance.
Although there are numerous methods of treating toenail fungus, including prescription medicine, home remedies and topical creams, they cannot compete with the efficiency and efficacy of laser treatment. Alternative treatments can be slow to act and there is always the risk of allergic reaction to any active ingredients. This course of action may be slightly cheaper than laser treatment, but since toenail fungus is contagious, you will find your social activities restricted for longer periods of time whilst you treat the condition.
Toenail fungus may seem harmless and many people are tempted to simply ignore the matter. However, this is a mistake. The fungus can spread to other areas of the body and you could infect other people who are sharing a locker room or shower. Ideally, the fungus should be treated as early as possible to ensure eradication of the micro-organism and health of the nail. Toenail fungus laser treatment has been documented to be the safest and most effective method of removing fungus. If you do have an issue with toenail fungus, it is worth taking the time to assess your treatment options.
