How To Zap Your Nail Fungus With A Laser
If you have a nail fungus that causes them to be discolored and ugly, there are an increasing number of physicians who offer a laser treatment that they report will zap the fungus away. There is very little in the way of published information about treating nail fungus with a laser, but for people who would rather not use oral medication because of the side effects, some of the early data seems to indicate that it might be a solution for people who have nail fungus.
Fungus infection of nails has a medical name of onychomycosis and usually affects the toenails. Scientists report that some people go barefoot in public locations or athletes such as swimmers probably get nail fungus because their feet are usually damp. Others are genetically prone to get nail fungus. In time nail fungus can cause the nail to become painful when walking and cause them to grow abnormally, although in its milder form, nail fungus is only a problem of cosmetics.
As an alternative to oral medication that has poor efficacy, nail lacquer, and a risk of damage to the liver nail laser might just work. The cost for treatment, which can cost between $750 and $1,500, and it usually isn’t covered by insurance. It will take a year for the nail to completely clear, regardless if you elect to use a laser treatment or oral medication.
Thus far the Pinpoint is the company that has received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration. This company claims that its laser treatment is used for the clearing of nail fungus. Two additional companies, Nomir Medical Technologies Inc., and CoolTouch Inc., have applied for clearance by the FDA which would allow them to use their laser to treat nail fungus and are waiting for a decision by the FDA.
There is little in the way of how effective laser treatment is on nail fungus. One podiatrist has reported that he has been using the laser by Nomir for nails for approximately four months and reports that it works in approximately 80 percent his patients. He also reports that both he and his patients are very happy with the results.
Usually the laser treatment takes between 30 and 45 minutes for as many as ten nails. The patients might need between one and four treatments although that is dependent on the severity of the nail problem.
How the lasers work isn’t completely understood and it also varies in some cases. CoolTouch reports that its laser prevents the growth of the fungus which allows the bodies’ own defenses to clear the nail. Nomir reports that its lab research indicates that the laser treatment kills the fungus.
Click here for more information about laser treatment for toenail fungus and nail fungus laser.