This particular fungus problem is relatively common. Most people know someone with the condition. Laser treatment for toenail fungus seems to be an excellent way to deal with this problem. Although relatively new, the early results seem to be quite positive.
This toe fungus can make the whole foot look quite ugly. The nails often are discolored, hard, and thick. Sometimes, they even get very soft and will peel or crumble. Some people end up losing the entire toenail. The condition seems to occur most often in the elderly. Men seem to have it more often than women.
Dermatophytes is the name for the fungi that cause this particular condition. This type of fungi thrive in moist, dark places like showers or gyms. One or more nails may be affected. The first signs are usually small, white spots on the nail. It gets in by a cut or under the nail. In some people, it seems to spread rather easily.
Common other treatments are both oral medications and/or topical medications. Neither, however, have been terribly successful. The oral medications are successful about fifty percent of the time, and the topical usually only work about ten percent of the time. It had typically been difficult to treat. It also tends to reoccur even when the treatments do work.
Using lasers to treat this condition seems to have much better results. The doctor uses a specific type of laser for only a short time period. It heats the fungi, and then vaporizes and kills it. Varying wavelengths are available depending on the needs of each individual patient. The most severe cases may need repeat treatments.
No obvious negative side effects have been found for those choosing this technique. The medicines that were used to treat it in the past did sometimes have bad side effects. The entire procedure is done in the doctor's office. It usually takes around 20 minutes. Another very positive thing about using this particular technique is that the nail or toe is not damaged in any way. You may wear shoes as soon as the procedure is completed. Be prepared that you may need more than one treatment. This is decided by the severity of the problem. Your doctor can work with you to decide just how many treatments will be best for you.
Unfortunately, most medical insurances do not cover the cost for this procedure. They usually consider it to be a cosmetic condition rather than a medical one. You will need to discuss the cost with the doctor before the process begins.
There is good news when choosing laser treatment for toenail fungus. The statistics so for are very good. Approximately ninety percent of patients using this technique have had positive results. Even when the fungi goes away, however, it may still take a while for the new healthy nail to grow back. Some patients using the oral and/or topical medications saw the condition reoccur. Since this is such a new technique, it is still unclear whether or not this regrowth will appear with these patients. It may or may not be a long term solution. The results, so far, are quite promising. Be sure to discuss any questions you have with your doctor.
This toe fungus can make the whole foot look quite ugly. The nails often are discolored, hard, and thick. Sometimes, they even get very soft and will peel or crumble. Some people end up losing the entire toenail. The condition seems to occur most often in the elderly. Men seem to have it more often than women.
Dermatophytes is the name for the fungi that cause this particular condition. This type of fungi thrive in moist, dark places like showers or gyms. One or more nails may be affected. The first signs are usually small, white spots on the nail. It gets in by a cut or under the nail. In some people, it seems to spread rather easily.
Common other treatments are both oral medications and/or topical medications. Neither, however, have been terribly successful. The oral medications are successful about fifty percent of the time, and the topical usually only work about ten percent of the time. It had typically been difficult to treat. It also tends to reoccur even when the treatments do work.
Using lasers to treat this condition seems to have much better results. The doctor uses a specific type of laser for only a short time period. It heats the fungi, and then vaporizes and kills it. Varying wavelengths are available depending on the needs of each individual patient. The most severe cases may need repeat treatments.
No obvious negative side effects have been found for those choosing this technique. The medicines that were used to treat it in the past did sometimes have bad side effects. The entire procedure is done in the doctor's office. It usually takes around 20 minutes. Another very positive thing about using this particular technique is that the nail or toe is not damaged in any way. You may wear shoes as soon as the procedure is completed. Be prepared that you may need more than one treatment. This is decided by the severity of the problem. Your doctor can work with you to decide just how many treatments will be best for you.
Unfortunately, most medical insurances do not cover the cost for this procedure. They usually consider it to be a cosmetic condition rather than a medical one. You will need to discuss the cost with the doctor before the process begins.
There is good news when choosing laser treatment for toenail fungus. The statistics so for are very good. Approximately ninety percent of patients using this technique have had positive results. Even when the fungi goes away, however, it may still take a while for the new healthy nail to grow back. Some patients using the oral and/or topical medications saw the condition reoccur. Since this is such a new technique, it is still unclear whether or not this regrowth will appear with these patients. It may or may not be a long term solution. The results, so far, are quite promising. Be sure to discuss any questions you have with your doctor.
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