Sandal Season is Coming! Banish Nasty Toenail Fungus With Laser Therapy

Not only is toenail fungus an embarrassing problem, it’s also a difficult condition to fix. Even prescription medication doesn’t always work. Now that it’s sandal season, you may be looking for a more effective treatment to get rid of your ugly toenail infection.

The board-certified podiatrists at Arlington Foot and Ankle Centers, with offices in Arlington and Mansfield, Texas, may have the solution you’re looking for: laser therapy. 

This advanced treatment can eliminate your fungal infection and improve the look and health of your toes after one session.  

Your stubborn toenail fungus

It may have started off as a small white spot on your toenail, but now the fungus has made your toenail so thick and crumbly you’re too embarrassed to even think about wearing your sandals or open-toed shoes. 

Your toenail fungus, which we medically referred to as onychomycosis, is a resilient and tough microorganism that can make its way under your toenail through a small crack in the skin or even a tiny separation between your nail and nail bed. Loving life in the warm, moist environment underneath your toenail, the fungus multiplies, causing your nail to thicken, turn a brown-yellowish color, and emit a foul odor. 

Because of its location and the environment you’ve provided, toenail fungus can be difficult to treat. Treatments usually include over-the-counter topical creams, followed by prescription oral or topical antifungal medication. If these methods don’t get rid of the fungal infection, the next step is usually the removal of the nail. 

But thanks to advances in medical technology, laser therapy may allow you to keep your toenail and get rid of your fungal infection for good.

Laser therapy to the rescue

Laser therapy is used to treat a wide range of medical issues, from removing kidney stones to improving vision. It works by sending concentrated beams of light to produce the desired effects, whether it’s breaking up a kidney stone or cutting through tissue. 

Now, we’re using laser therapy to eradicate toenail fungus. The energy created by the laser passes through your toenail to the fungus underneath. The microbes absorb the intense heat created by the laser, which damages the cell structure and kills them without damaging your toenail or the skin underneath.

Laser therapy for toenail fungus is painless. You may need three treatment sessions to eliminate the fungus. When your treatments are finished, the fungus is dead, but the nail must grow out to clear away the damaged nail and replace itself with new nail keratin.

If you’re ready to say bye-bye to your nasty toenail fungus, we’re happy to help. 

How to prevent a recurrence

After you’ve gone through the emotional turmoil that comes with toenail fungus, we want to make sure you take extra care of your feet and toes to prevent a recurrence. We may be able to get rid of your infection quickly and painlessly with our laser therapy, but that doesn’t protect you from future infections.

To keep your toes and feet fungus-free:

• Trim your toenails to keep them short
• Dry your feet thoroughly after a bath, shower, or dip in the pool
• Always wear shoes in public places
• Invest in socks that let your feet breathe
• Wear comfortable shoes that don’t cause your feet to sweat
• Disinfect your pedicure instruments

If you have a toenail infection, don’t cover it up with nail polish. The paint traps moisture under your nails and may make your infection worse.

Don’t let your nasty toenail fungus dictate the types of shoes you wear. Schedule an appointment online or over the phone at the Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers location nearest you!