Fungus Nail Treatment

What is Fungal Nail infection?

Fungal Nail infection (medically known as onychomycosis) is very common nail condition where fungi infect the fingernails or toenails. Nails turn white, yellow, or brown and become thick, discoloured or distorted, and can easily break or crumble. Fungal Nail affects around 3 in every 100 people in UK.

Fungi grow the best in warm, dark, and moist areas. Tiny fungi particles get under or into the nail through small cracks in the nail or the skin next to it. Sweaty feet kept inside tight shoes provide an ideal environment for fungi. Poor circulation, diabetes or a weak immune system speeds up chances to get nail fungus infection.

Nail fungus can be deeply distressing, affecting both physical comfort and emotional well-being.

Getting a Professional Diagnosis

Nail injuries or nail psoriasis can look identical to a fungal infection. Laser treatment will not be successful if we are treating something that we are not aware of. Other conditions may require different treatment approach and method.

That is why seeing GP or podiatrists and confirming diagnosis will be crucial to find out if infection is definitely a fungal.

Checking up is done through:

Physical examination
Nail clippings or scrape debris from under the nail and send the sample to a lab for analysis.

You will need to have this diagnosis before full laser treatment.

Nail Fungus Treatment

At Derma Mind Laser Clinic we use FDA approved Cynosure Elite+ long pulsed NdYag laser to treat nail fungus. During laser treatment, laser light pulses are sent into nail plate and around the edges of the nail bed too in order to eliminate hidden spores and stop reinfection. NdYAG laser wavelength penetrate the thick nail plate to reach and heat up the infection at its source.

NdYAG long pulse (at 1064nm) is an ideal laser as it is a long wavelength resulting in a deep penetration and being able to target the nail bed causing thermal destruction of infection safely.

Why Choose Laser?

Historically the treatment of onychomycosis has been challenging. Oral antifungal medications often does not treat condition in long-term and long courses are often necessary. Oral medications can have side effects, too and are not suitable for those who have kidney damage. Topical agents decrease ability to penetrate the nail and reach the affected nail bed often mean results are very poor.

Lasers become more reliable treatment for onychomycosis. Usually fungi are heat sensitive above 55 Celsius.

Laser therapy benefits includes:

Quick treatment times
Topical and direct
No significant side effects from treatment
Suitable for patients with low immunity, or liver and renal dysfunction

What to do if you wish to be treated with laser?

Firstly you will need to make sure you checked the condition with your GP or podiatrist.

Once you have correct diagnosis (onychomycosis), you can make an appointment at the clinic booking Nail Fungus Consultation.

Attend your consultation and discussion with laser therapist. Bring doctor's letter or NHS notes with you. We will perform a patch test on one of the nails. Please ensure nail is clear from nail varnish or gel (or any other artificial coverings).

Depending on severity of condition, you may need to file thickened nails at home (or in podiatrist office) before treatment. This preparation will be discussed during consultation.

7 days post patch test you can return for full treatment.

Who is suitable to have laser treatment?

We treat any skin type. However there are some conditions of safety:

Skin must be tan free (any recent and fresh UV radiation or artificial tan would put you at great risk of skin burn and pigmentation changes). We still treat skin around the nail!

Some medication cause photosensitivity or affect the skin’s healing ability - your therapist will check and advise if it is safe for you to have laser.

Clients suffering from Vitiligo (lack of melanin), Lupus (immune system disorder) or other extremely photosensitive conditions are contraindicated.

We do not treat pregnant or breast-feeding women with lasers as a precaution and we put treatment on hold during this time.

This procedure is NOT SUITABLE to treat total dystrophic onychomysis (this condition is characterized by total destruction of the nail plate) and full surgical removal will be advised.

Book your time to hear detailed treatment explanation, before and after care. You will need patch test before full treatment.

BOOK NAIL FUNGUS CONSULTATION AND PATCH TEST

LASER TREATMENT COSTS