The Importance of Early Hammertoe Treatment
You don’t need to wait until your hammertoe gets worse before reaching out for help. The sooner you get treatment, the better! Read on to learn three reasons early hammertoe treatment is so important.
Can Laser Toenail Treatment Cure My Fungal Toenail Problem?
If you’re dealing with a stubborn fungal toenail infection, over-the-counter remedies alone might not be enough to squash your infection.
That’s where laser toenail treatment comes into the picture. Here at Manhattan Podiatry Associates, PC, our providers offer laser toenail treatments in both our Midtown and Downtown Manhattan locations.
Here’s what you need to know about laser treatments for your toenail problems.
How laser toenail treatment works
Laser toenail treatment targets the fungus beneath your nail without damaging the surrounding tissue. During the procedure, a laser emits focused light energy that penetrates your nail and kills the fungus at its source.
If you’re wondering how a laser can kill a fungus without harming your skin or nails, the answer lies in the wavelength of the light energy. Our providers use a specific wavelength that the fungus absorbs (and is then destroyed), but this wavelength won’t damage your healthy skin.
What to expect from laser toenail treatment
The treatment takes about 20 minutes, and you may need more than one session. Your Manhattan Podiatry Associates provider recommends the right number of sessions for you.
After your laser treatment, you’ll notice gradual improvement as your nail grows out healthy and clear. It’s important to keep in mind that while laser treatment is highly effective, it may take several months for the full results to become visible as your nail continues to grow.
The best part is that this treatment is typically quick, painless, and doesn’t require any downtime.
Will laser toenail treatment cure your infection?
Laser treatment offers a significant advantage in curing fungal toenail infections, especially when other methods have failed. While no treatment can guarantee 100% effectiveness, laser therapy has a high success rate and can provide long-lasting relief from fungal infections.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association in 2018, approximately 65-80% of patients treated with lasers experienced a significant improvement in nail appearance and a reduction in fungal infection after a series of laser treatments.
The complete cure rate — defined as a clear nail with no fungal presence after 18 months — was about 85% depending on the severity of the infection and adherence to post-treatment care instructions. Topical medications are much less effective with some results as low as 10%.
That being said, there are many strategies you can implement to help prevent future fungal infections, including:
- Avoid going barefoot in public places, including locker rooms and saunas
- Not sharing towels or loofahs (and replacing the bath mat after each shower)
- Cleaning your feet daily
- Sanitizing your shoes and gym bags to prevent reinfection
- Laundering all linens and socks in hot water
- Using antifungal sprays or powders (if you’re prone to infections)
- Wearing moisture-wicking socks
If you’re tired of hiding your toes and dealing with persistent fungal infections, laser toenail treatment could be the answer you’re looking for — and it’s just a call or click away. Schedule an appointment with our team today and say goodbye to stubborn nail infections.
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