Choosing surgery for toenail fungus is an extreme option, since there are many other less invasive remedies. A person may be drawn to surgery after home remedies or prescription drugs do not produce long term results.
Most medicines prescribed for this condition are topical and do not infiltrate the bed of the nail where the fungus is thriving. No matter how long the treatment, the fungus either continues or returns and this can be very disappointing.
Toenail Fungus Surgery: How it Works
With surgery, usually the nail matrix is removed to prevent the nail from coming back, so the infection is healed permanently. The fungus cannot grow back, since the nail never grows back. Surgery should only be used as a last resort because it cannot be reversed. Problems are not always over either, because nails protect sensitive toes from injury. Without a nail, an accident such as stubbing toes becomes even more painful.
Laser Treatments
A toe without the nail looks strange, even though it is an improvement over a toe that is infected with fungus. Before opting for surgery, a person with toenail fungus should consider the highly effective procedure of laser treatment. Compared to painful toenail removal surgery, simple laser procedures are safer and cause little discomfort.
Benefits of Laser Treatment
Laser treatments are free of drugs and side effects. Many non-laser fungal treatments provide no promise of getting rid of toenail fungus. This non-surgery method can be used to not only treat but remove toenail fungus. This is a radical advancement in the treatment of nail fungus infection.
How Laser Procedures Work
Toenails are dead cells. During the procedure, the laser aims for the living fungus inside the nail. Throughout the process, a technician will ask the patient to let them know if any discomfort is felt, so they can adjust the laser treatment to ensure it is comfortable. To stop fungus return, a careful hygiene program should be followed.
More than 10% of Americans are affected with toenail fungal infection. When untreated, it can worsen and the nail becomes unsightly to look at, causing embarrassment that affects a person’s physical and emotional well-being. Nail fungus is contagious and usually reappears if it is not properly treated.
To learn more about the advantages and effectiveness of laser treatment for toenail fungus, visit Clear Toes Clinic’s explanation of the process.
