Toenail fungal infection is also known as onychomycosis. The nails in the toes become thick, hard and with crumbling edges. In the initial stages, the infection appears as small spots with a white color and spread to have an effect on the whole nail. Either one nail or several of them can be affected. Fungal nail infections are hard to cure and have a tendency to recur. This is why laser treatment for toenail fungus is preferred- it completely gets rid of the infection.
There are several models of lasers that can be used. The Patholase lasers do not have approval by FDA. Studies carried out show that it is not an effective technique for treatment of the infection. Other models are still awaiting approval and are known to bring improvement in six months. The lasers are concentrated beams of light that vaporize tissues in the areas to be treated. In order to selectively treat different areas of the body, different wavelengths are chosen.
The fungi are destroyed by being targeted to allow the nail and skin in surrounding areas not to be affected. The fungus is heated and then killed, with the tissues in the surrounding areas remaining unaffected. The various laser brands differ in the way they treat diseases. However, the main basis of their functioning is elimination of the fungi using heat.
During initial infection, there is evaluation of the nails affected, the symptoms, before they are filled down. Lasers get maneuvered over affected nails and are even able to be used over those that do not have the infection. One session goes for approximately 30 minutes or so. Whereas some patients will need just a single session, others will need multiple sessions.
The nails will not be cleared at once. Approximately 6 or 12 months will be needed for nails to grow out. That will be the best way to determine if the procedure was a success. The costs of treatment are the downside, with the average cost being around $1000. For the best deals, one should take time to compare the various options available. Despite the fact that traditional techniques do not cost a lot, they are never very effective and will need a number of sessions.
The feeling of pain during the procedure is not experienced by all patients. Some do not feel any pain. On the other hand, there are those who will feel a warm sensation or a pinprick. The infection may recur, which is why doctors recommend care techniques to minimize the chances of this occurring. The fungi are present everywhere, which is why the possibility of re-infection is always there.
Having a pedicure or painting nails is not prohibited. Polish can be applied after the procedure is done with. However, patients will be required to eradicate any polish from their nails and any decorations before the appointment day.
Laser treatment for toenail fungus may be covered by insurance covers. However, it is in most cases considered as an aesthetic procedure. As such, the majority of health insurance plans will offer no coverage for it.
There are several models of lasers that can be used. The Patholase lasers do not have approval by FDA. Studies carried out show that it is not an effective technique for treatment of the infection. Other models are still awaiting approval and are known to bring improvement in six months. The lasers are concentrated beams of light that vaporize tissues in the areas to be treated. In order to selectively treat different areas of the body, different wavelengths are chosen.
The fungi are destroyed by being targeted to allow the nail and skin in surrounding areas not to be affected. The fungus is heated and then killed, with the tissues in the surrounding areas remaining unaffected. The various laser brands differ in the way they treat diseases. However, the main basis of their functioning is elimination of the fungi using heat.
During initial infection, there is evaluation of the nails affected, the symptoms, before they are filled down. Lasers get maneuvered over affected nails and are even able to be used over those that do not have the infection. One session goes for approximately 30 minutes or so. Whereas some patients will need just a single session, others will need multiple sessions.
The nails will not be cleared at once. Approximately 6 or 12 months will be needed for nails to grow out. That will be the best way to determine if the procedure was a success. The costs of treatment are the downside, with the average cost being around $1000. For the best deals, one should take time to compare the various options available. Despite the fact that traditional techniques do not cost a lot, they are never very effective and will need a number of sessions.
The feeling of pain during the procedure is not experienced by all patients. Some do not feel any pain. On the other hand, there are those who will feel a warm sensation or a pinprick. The infection may recur, which is why doctors recommend care techniques to minimize the chances of this occurring. The fungi are present everywhere, which is why the possibility of re-infection is always there.
Having a pedicure or painting nails is not prohibited. Polish can be applied after the procedure is done with. However, patients will be required to eradicate any polish from their nails and any decorations before the appointment day.
Laser treatment for toenail fungus may be covered by insurance covers. However, it is in most cases considered as an aesthetic procedure. As such, the majority of health insurance plans will offer no coverage for it.
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