Toenail Fungus Laser Treatment

Having fungus grow under your toenails is unsightly and embarrassing, but you can fight back with laser treatment for toenail fungus from your foot doctor at Premier Podiatry in Clifton, NJ. A quick procedure, it starts killing the fungus painlessly. To set up an evaluation and treatment, call Dr. Velimir Petkov at his podiatry clinic in Clifton to see if you qualify for laser therapy for toenail fungus.

Toenail fungus laser treatment is the fast and effective modern way to eliminate fungus in your toenails. Fungus is often highly contagious, and it usually spreads in warm, dark, moist environments like inside your socks and shoes. It’s common to see toenail fungus within the same family, as family members are in close contact with one another and use the same bathroom. Due to the stigma attached and the threat of spreading infection, most sufferers tend to keep it a secret.

Before laser therapy for toenail fungus, topical ointments and antifungal medicines were usually the go-to treatment options. But these methods have a very low effective rate, and some of the medications caused liver and kidney problems. Unlike the older treatments for fungus, the laser toenail fungus procedures has an 80 percent success rate, especially in the hands of Dr. Velimir Petkov, the podiatry specialist at Premier Podiatry.

From the very first treatment session, you notice a vast improvement in your symptoms. Toenail fungus often shows up with symptoms that include:

• Discoloration or yellowing of your toenails
• Unsightly and crooked toenails
• Thick and rough nails
• Crusty toenails that crumble to the touch
• A toenail that comes out of the nail bed

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How Laser Therapy for Toenail Fungus Works

Most people fail to regularly use prescribed antifungal creams and ointments. That makes the fungus resistant to the traditional medication over time. With laser treatment for toenail fungus, you don’t have to worry about routine at-home treatment schedules. Instead, the procedures take place in the comfortable office of your podiatrist in Clifton, NJ.

To be effective, the laser toenail fungus procedure uses variables that your experienced podiatrist sets, such as:

• Wavelength. A single-wavelength light source provides maximum penetration of the nail and nail bed to kill the fungus. The wavelength determines the penetration.
• Duration of the pulse. Short pulses are more effective at destroying the fungus without doing any damage to the surrounding tissue.
• Rate of repetition. This setting involves how many times the short-pulse laser is fired per second. Like a pulse rate, it determines the strength of the laser. The correct rate depends on your individual toenail condition.
• Spot size. The spot size is the diameter of the light beam. Most laser beams have a spot size between one and 10 nanometers. The wider the beam, the more area the laser covers.
• Fluence. This is the amount of heat delivered to your toenail fungus. Your podiatrist in northern New Jersey sets it according to the severity of your condition.

Read more: How Effective Is Laser Therapy for Toenail Fungus?

Who Needs Laser Therapy for Toenail Fungus

Older adults are most predisposed to fungus infections. This susceptibility is due to problems with blood circulation and hygiene issues. Also, as you age, the nail growth cycle slows down.

Others who may need laser treatment for toenail fungus include:

• Diabetic patients who suffer from the diabetic foot are twice as likely to get toenail fungus. Laser treatments are fast, and they cause virtually no pain or complications.
• Anyone with a compromised immune system, for whatever reason. Because of this weakness, you may need laser treatment to curb the infection in the early stages.

Laser Toenail Fungus Removal and Recovery

Laser therapy is non-invasive. The procedure involves directing a laser beam toward your toenail, usually in a crisscross pattern to cover the entire nail. Even unaffected nails are blasted sometimes to get rid of any lingering fungus residue. The heat from the beam destroys the fungal cell walls, causing the fungus to disintegrate.

The treatment takes about 10 to 20 minutes per session. You don’t need any anesthesia for the procedure as it is painless. Some people feel a mild warm sensation. You can have the procedure done during your lunch hour and resume your normal activities without any downtime or limitations. Most people need repeat sessions over a minimum three-month period. You must wait until your new nails grow, which usually takes six to 12 months, to see how successful the treatment was.

Preventing Future Fungus Infections

Your qualified foot doctor may recommend a few precautions to prevent a reoccurrence, such as:

• Throwing away your old shoes
• Thoroughly washing your socks
• Avoiding public swimming pools, showers and locker rooms

If you’re in the high-risk group, consider making regular visits to Dr. Petkov to check your toenails. Contact Premier Podiatry in Clifton, NJ or Wayne, NJ to set up your appointment.

Premier Podiatry: Velimir Petkov, DPM

☎(973) 315-5555

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