Toenail Fungus

 

Onychomycosis (nail tinea) is caused by the continuous fungi infection to the nail bed and plate and is a common toe nail disease. It comprises about 50% of all toe nail diseases in adults. It can develop to the point where it is very unsightly and bothersome to people, both those that have it and those that have to look at it. The fungi is less rarely seen in the finger nails however it can occur there as well. The area involved is usually the nail, nail bed and surrounding tissue. The risks of this disease increases with age and is as follows - 15-20% of those between the age of 40-60 years, 32% of those aged 60-70 and 48% of those 70 years of age and older. Evidence shows that the prevalence rate of onychomycosis is increasing and is often found in conjunction with Psoriasis, Atopic dermatitis, nail trauma and contact dermatitis and oral lichen planus. Treatment has consisted mainly of topical and orally taken medications which have neither worked well but have also had a lot of side effects. Recontamination and continued infection can persist if proper health care and cleanliness of the feet, socks and shoes is not taken. The newest and latest treatment has been the use of “laser treatment” which has had a much higher success rate without any of the side effects of the drug treatments used in the past. This involves a specific wave-length of laser light and is almost painless. Treatments take about 30-40 minutes to do both feet and once completed it involves not only regular cleanliness of your feet but also a matter of waiting until the once infected nail grows out and is replaced by new and uninfected nails There is absolutely no down time and the patient can resume normal activities right after the treatment, which is done in the office. Both the doctor and the patient are required to wear special glasses during the time the laser is running and doing its work. Normally only one treatment is required however there are times depending on the severity and the resilience of the disease that a second treatment is necessary.

 

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