Laser Treatment for Fungal Toenails in Commerce Twp, MI
If you have fungal toenails, you probably fall into one of two camps—you’re either desperate to get rid of them, or you’ve given up entirely. Fungal nails may not necessarily be painful or medically dangerous, but they can be frustrating and embarrassing. Worse, the infection can spread everywhere: your skin, your shoes, your home, or even your family.
If you’ve fought against fungal nails to no avail, Lakes Foot & Ankle Associates has the best weapon available: the Cutera GenesisPlus laser treatment for toenail fungus. It’s time to say goodbye to toenail problems for good—and our podiatrists are ready to help.
What Are Fungal Toenails?
When a fungal infection develops underneath your toenails, you have a fungal nail. This can cause nail discoloration, thickening, odor, and deformities. The nail(s) may become brittle, crumbly, or ragged, very difficult to cut, and may also be painful.
Fungal nails are caused by the same types of fungi that cause athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch. They also tend to thrive in warm, moist, humid, and dark places. That means without proper precautions, it can be easy to pick up a fungal infection—and spread it to your family or other members of your community.
Common Fungal Toenail Causes
- Wearing sweaty shoes and socks
- Walking barefoot in public showers, pool decks, or locker rooms
- Getting a pedicure at a spa without proper sterilization procedures
- Spending a lot of time in water
- Smoking
- Having a minor skin or nail injury, especially if you have athlete’s foot
Laser Treatment: How to Heal a Fungal Toenail for Good
You may have encountered two treatment options for fungal toenails. First: oral antifungal medications, which can cause unpleasant or dangerous side effects. Second: topical antifungal medications, which take a long time to work and aren’t very effective on their own. Now, laser treatment has revolutionized the way we care for fungal nail infections, making the process much faster, safer, and more effective.
The laser passes through the nail, distributing its energy (heat) to the infected tissue, killing the fungus and promoting healthy nail growth. The procedure takes about 30 minutes, is completely painless, and has no side effects or downtime. Full treatment generally requires 3-4 sessions over the course of a year.
Fungal Toenail FAQs
KeryFlex nail restoration resurfaces and sculpts your nails using a medical-grade resin, giving you a nail that looks and feels natural. KeryFlex doesn’t treat the fungal infection, but it allows you to reap the cosmetic benefits right away while your podiatry team works to cure the fungus.
Treatment won’t make you permanently immune from reinfection, so it’s important to take a few foot hygiene precautions at home to prevent infections from coming back:
- Wash & dry your feet daily
- Treat fungal skin infections like athlete’s foot promptly
- Wear breathable socks & shoes
- Change socks & shoes whenever they get damp
- Use antifungal powders or sprays daily
- Avoid going barefoot in public places
- Don’t share unwashed clothing, towels, or linens
Absolutely. Research and clinical trials show that laser treatments have a success rate as high as 90%. Compare that to a mere 50% for alternatives like oral prescription medications or topical treatments alone.
How to Cure a Fungal Toenail: Top Approaches
Get Your Healthy Toenails Back in Commerce Twp
If you’ve long ago given up hope that your fungal toenails could be cured, it’s time to try again. When comprehensive treatment and laser therapy are combined with guided preventative care at home, the overall success rate for eliminating fungal toenails—and keeping them away for good—is very high.
Call (248) 360-3888 today to schedule your appointment, or contact us online!