You May Have Toenail Fungus. Now What?
What are my options?
Laser treatment of the nail may reduce thickness, improve appearance, and make trimming easier. However, treatment is not generally considered medically necessary unless other factors are present such as diabetes, poor circulation, excessive pressure, pain, or lack of normal sensation.
Other Options include:
- Not having treatment and living with the condition.
- The use of prescription oral medication which reports up to a 66% success rate with need for blood tests to monitor for possible liver damage.
- The use of liquid antifungals which reports a 7% cure rate and 44% improvement rate.
Dr. Meredith answers "Why are my toe nails ugly?"
How does the laser treatment work?
Our doctors use a laser which is the most advanced dermatologic laser currently available. In 3-10 billionths of a second, impulses of high power laser energy pass through the nail to the nail bed and nail growth area with typically no damage to the nail or surrounding skin. At the time of the procedure no visible change is seen until the nail begins to grow out. In a few months, a more normal nail is expected to appear with complete regrowth of the nail taking up to 9-12 months.
What is the recovery period?
No post treatment pain has been reported. You may resume all normal activities immediately. If you have any problems or questions please contact our office.
Is the procedure painful?
Most people do not feel any pain. Some patients may experience slight warmth or occasional snapping sensation during the procedure. If you have any pain during the procedure, the laser power can be decreased slightly to eliminate any pain. No anesthesia is needed.
How long does the procedure take?
The amount of time varies on the degree of involvement of the nails. Very thick nails are mechanically reduced to a more normal thickness with specialized equipment. The laser is then applied typically only taking a few minutes. Overall, a visit for consultation and treatment will usually take about 30 minutes.
Can I polish my nails or have a pedicure?
You can apply polish to the nail immediately after the laser treatment. However it is important to remove all nail polish prior to your treatment.
Can the nail not improve?
The Q-Clear Laser is FDA approved and shown to be safe and effective. The nail is expected to improve with just one treatment. Clinical reports to date have been encouraging with most patients noticing significant improvement. As well as medical procedures, a 100% guarantee is not possible. In a randomized 3-12 month study of 100 subjects, significant nail plate clearance was observed in more than 95% of the subject cases with an mean clearance of greater than 56% of the (abnormal or infected) regions. Changing socks and shoes frequently and controlling excessive perspiration are helpful in preventing recurrence.
Is the laser treatment covered by my health insurance?
No, the procedure is considered cosmetic, and it is not covered by health insurance.
How much does laser treatment cost?
The cost varies depending on the number of nails involved. The charges are based on the number of nails with obvious involvement. At Gaston Foot and Ankle Specialists, our prices are some of the lowest in the area.
Call our office today and schedule your laser treatment - (704) 861-0425.
