What is Toenail Fungus? How do you get it?
Nail Fungus, also known as Onychomycosis, is the most common disease of the nail. It can affect both finger nails and toe nails although it is more common on the toes.
An infection may occur when the fungs takes hold underneath one or more of your nails. This fungus can thrive in a warm, moist environment such as showers, swimming pools or the inside of a damp shoe.
A nail fungal infection will often begin as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection advances deeper into your nail it may cause your nail to become discoloured, thicken and develop crumbling edges. This can be both unsightly and uncomfortable.
Are there other treatment options?
In the past most people treated fungal nail infections with oral or topical medications with varying degrees of success.
Topical creams are an inexpensive option although they have not always been shown to achieve the desired level of success.
Oral medications such as Lamisil are another option, but they can take four months or longer to control or eliminate the infection. In some instances they have been known to cause side effects ranging from skin rashes to liver damage.
As Laser treatment has been shown to be very effective and without the side effects sometimes shown with oral medication it is quickly becoming the treatment option of choice.
What Laser is used to kill nail fungus?
The Nd:Yag Laser used in Dublin Skin and Laser Clinic is one of the newest laser treatments available to safely and effectively treat toenail fungus. By heating the fungus to the required level the Nd: Yag laser gets to the source of the problem and kills it immeiately.
How does the Nd:Yag laser work?
Tiny pulses of light from the Nd: Yag Laser pass through the toenail to the fungus underneath. It destroys the fungus without causing any damage to the surrounding nail or skin.
How long do treatments take? Does it hurt?
Treatment time is usually approximately 20 to 40 minutes. There is little to no discomfort. Clients generally just feel a warm sensation on their toes.
How many treatment will I need?
Most clients will see results after just 1 treatment although a course of treatment is recommended for full clearance.
Are there any restrictions on my activity immediately after the treatment?
No, you can resume your normal activities immediately.
When will I see results?
You won’t notice anything immediately following treatment. Though the fungus is likely dead. Depending on how quickly your nails grow, it may take 3 to 12 months for a full clear healthy nail to be present although you may see the beginings of a clear nail in as little as 4 to 8 weeks
What is the cost of Treatment?
Nail fungus, also called onychomycosis, is a common condition estimated to affect up to 30% of the european population. It can cause nails to become yellow or discolored. As the infection advances the nail can become thick, brittle and separate from the nail bed, which may result in losing the nail. It can also cause pain when wearing shoes or walking.
we use the Nd YAG laser to safely treat fungal nail infections in toenails and fingernails. It can also treat atheletes foot. Fungi is killed at 55 degrees celcius. The laser light is absorbed by the pigment in the nail fungus and the laser heats up the fungus. If the temperature of the fungus is raised to 55 degrees celcuis and sustained for a full 5 minutes, then the fungus is killed instantly .
Dermatophytes are the fungi most commonly responsible for causing this condition. They are specialized organisms that live off of keratin which is the main component of nails and skin. The most common fungi that cause nail infection disease are Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Candida albicans. Everyone is at risk for infection because fungus is present everywhere in the environment.
Current treatment options for fungal nail infections include oral drugs i.e. Sporonox or Lamisil tablets, but these are severe on the stomach and the liver. Topical over the counter nail laquer, but these only have 10% success rate and must me used daily for 12 months. Laser is a safer opti.
- €99 for the first treatment.
- €75 for follow up treatments.
Initial treatmen is €99, follow up treatments if required are €75
