Laser treatment of nail fungus

The text is presented for informational purposes only. We urge you not to self-medicate. When the first symptoms appear, consult a doctor. Recommended reading: “Why not self-medicate?”. Nail fungus or onychomycosis is a disease in which the nail plate is affected by the fungus. Infection of at least one nail leads to infection of the remaining nail plates. This disease introduces a certain discomfort in everyday life and violates aesthetic harmony. Therefore, it is extremely important to start treatment of onychomycosis at the initial stages of the disease in order to quickly and permanently get rid of it. ^[1][2][3].

What is nail fungus, symptoms of the disease

No one is immune from such a disease as onychomycosis. The fungus affects everyone, regardless of age or gender. However, elderly patients are most predisposed to its occurrence. This is due to the fact that in old age the peripheral circulation is noticeably disturbed, which leads to degenerative-dystrophic abnormalities and a decrease in local immunity.

Not only the nail plates, but also the skin of the hands or feet are exposed to fungal infection. A dermatologist will prescribe tests that are necessary to diagnose this disease. Usually this is microscopy or scraping for the presence of pathogenic fungi.

Nail fungus is quite difficult to cure, as the infection instantly penetrates deep into the tissues, without lingering on the surface. Therefore, various local remedies, such as ointments or gels, will not bring the desired therapeutic effect.

Most often, this disease affects the toes, much less often occurs on the hands. When the first symptoms appear, indicating the presence of the disease, it is urgent to contact a dermatologist to clarify the diagnosis and start therapy. The disease progresses at a very rapid pace, and if treatment is not started in a timely manner, this can result in unpleasant and negative consequences.

Therapy started in the early stages of the disease will stop the spread of the fungus and the development of the disease, thus avoiding serious and unnecessary complications.

Symptoms that need attention are visible to the naked eye. Of course, the aesthetic beauty of the nails is violated. Under the influence of pathogenic fungi, the nail plate changes, acquires a yellow tint. Sometimes its color changes to brown or gray with a greenish tinge.

Often, yellowish-white spots appear on the nails, and the plate itself thickens significantly, becomes brittle, and in some cases can peel off. Sometimes a pronounced separation of the nail plate from the fingertip is noticeable. Also, with a fungal infection, the nail fold itself often becomes inflamed. ^[1][2][3].

Causes of the disease and its prevention

The main reason for the appearance of pathogenic fungi on the nails is damage to the skin of the foot or the nail plate. In such cases, the treatment of pathology must be started immediately, without delaying for a long time.

Other factors leading to the onset and development of this disease include:

• direct contact with some household items of public use: rubber shoes or rugs, accessories for manicure and pedicure;
• excessive moisture formed when wearing synthetic socks or stockings;
• frequent use of false nails;
• disease of the endocrine system;
• immunodeficiency diseases.

However, this disease can be prevented if you follow a number of simple rules:

• when visiting pools and saunas, you must have individual rubber shoes with you;
• timely eliminate calluses and dryness on the feet;
• avoid minor injuries and wounds of the feet and hands;
• use talcum powders and powders for excessive sweating of the legs;
• increase immunity in immunodeficiency;
• change socks or stockings every day.

Such simple actions can be used as preventive measures in order to prevent onychomycosis. If you strictly follow these rules and strictly follow them, then there will be no need to treat the disease. ^[2][3].

Treatment methods for nail fungus

To date, there are several methods of treatment of this disease:

1. medical method. Such treatment involves taking systemic antifungal drugs. The substances contained in them penetrate deep into the infection, having a detrimental effect on the fungi. But this method has many disadvantages, the most obvious of which are multiple contraindications, a high likelihood of side effects and increased toxicity.
2. Treatment with local drugs. This technique is based on the use of antifungal gels, creams, varnishes or ointments. But it is not very effective, because the fungal infection, affecting the nail plate, rushes deep into the tissues. And local therapy only affects the surface layers, so such treatment is simply useless.
3. Surgical method of treatment. In this case, the entire nail or part of it is surgically removed. This is a fairly effective technique, but it also has some drawbacks. This procedure is quite painful and has a long recovery period. In addition, a new nail can grow already deformed, which is emotionally and aesthetically depressing.
4. Method of laser therapy for nail fungus. This treatment is currently considered the most effective and safest. It has practically no contraindications and no side effects.

Many patients, especially women, often admit that they refuse treatment because they are embarrassed to go to a specialist. However, it should be recognized that everyday life is so unpredictable that even the most clean person is not immune from such a disease. As statistics show, almost every fifth inhabitant of the metropolis suffers from nail fungus. Therefore, it is extremely important to consult a doctor in time while the disease is at an early stage in order to stop its progress and the development of serious complications.

What is terrible about a neglected disease? Such an infection spreads quite quickly and affects healthy nails on the hands and feet. If you do not seek help from a specialist in time and do not start therapy, the following unpleasant consequences appear:

• inflammation and severe swelling of the nail bed;
• feeling of pain when touching the finger;
• the nail is deformed and falls off;
• even with the loss of a nail, the infectious process does not stop, remaining deep in the skin and affecting the newly growing nail plates.

In addition to the feeling of physical discomfort, aesthetic inconvenience will also pursue. Damage to the nail plates will lead to the fact that open shoes will be banned, show in public, hands affected by the fungus will become uncomfortable, the path to saunas and public pools will also be closed. In addition, relatives are also at risk, communicating with a person who has this disease. After all, nail fungus may well be transmitted to them. ^[4].

The essence and advantages of laser treatment of onychomycosis

With the laser method of treatment, the very structure of the fungus is destroyed, which leads to its destruction, and, accordingly, to the speedy recovery of the patient. This procedure has proven itself quite well and, judging by the rave reviews, has helped many people get rid of onychomycosis quickly and permanently.

The main advantages of this method are:

• exclusion of the likelihood of recurrence of the disease;
• safety, since there are no side effects with laser therapy, because the laser beam acts only on the affected tissues, without affecting healthy areas;
• painlessness, since laser exposure is manifested only by a feeling of warmth in the treated area, which makes it possible to complete the entire course of therapy without anesthesia;
• high efficiency of treatment, since the laser beam penetrates into the deep layers of the skin, completely destroying the infection, thereby curing the disease forever;
• aesthetics, since the laser beam does not injure the nail plate, new regrown nails will have a healthy and well-groomed appearance;
• does not require a rehabilitation period, immediately after the end of the session, you can return to a normal lifestyle;
• short treatment times, as a full recovery will require about six procedures once a week ^[5][6][7].

Preparation for the procedure and contraindications

This method of treatment does not require any special preparation, however, for greater efficiency, it is recommended to perform a few simple steps.

Steam the problem area in hot water the day before the session. To prepare the solution, you need to add 50 grams of laundry soap and one tablespoon of soda to an incomplete basin. The duration of steaming is about twenty minutes. Get rid of the varnish, carefully trim the nail and file it with a nail file. Two weeks before the procedure, refuse from the solarium and sunbathing. Postpone possible surgical procedures in the affected area for three months after the procedure and three months before it begins.

The number of procedures performed depends on the area of ​​fungal infection of the nail and the severity of the disease. The minimum prescribed four procedures, and the most effective course is six procedures, every week or two each.

In the interval between procedures, it is necessary to prevent possible re-infection. To do this, it is necessary to use antifungal ointments prescribed by a specialist and thoroughly disinfect shoes using specialized products.

At the same time, the method of laser treatment of nail fungus has a number of contraindications:

• the presence of epileptic seizures;
• oncological diseases;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• disruptions in the body’s immune system;
• dermatological diseases;
• taking anticoagulants or certain other medications;
• period of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• poor blood clotting ^[6][7].

Summing up

Onychomycosis is an insidious and unpleasant disease that affects the nail plates of the legs or hands. It is dangerous because it progresses at a fairly rapid pace, and is also easily transmitted from person to person. It is also not easy to cure such a disease, but if you turn to a qualified specialist in time and start appropriate therapy, the chances of quickly getting rid of such an infection are very high. One of the most modern and safe methods of treating nail fungus is laser therapy. Thanks to her, you can get rid of onychomycosis as soon as possible, reducing the risk of relapse several times. Positive feedback from many patients who have undergone such treatment only once again confirms the success and effectiveness of the procedure.

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