The answer to this question is still unclear. Most forms of laser treatment have only provided the industry with small, poor-quality studies involving a small sample groups of patients with lighter cases of nail fungus, some of whom appeared to experience improvement after the treatment.
And while most studies have reported no adverse effects, the system zaps the nail fungus with very high heat, which in theory could damage healthy tissue around the toenail. In addition, many treatments can often cost up to or over $1,000 and most medical insurances do not cover these costs. And perhaps most disappointing is the fact that the majority of patients who tested and saw positive results from laser treatment had to return for additional treatments within 4-6 months. The idea of the “one-stop-shop” solution is evidently not the case.
However, there are some definite positives. Laser toenail fungus treatment is completely pain free. The laser toenail fungus procedure takes about 20 minutes and patients generally need between one to eight treatments in a multiple week period to significantly improve the infection. It is recommended that each patient returns to the clinic after a month or two to allow the doctor to check on the progress of the infected nail or nails. In addition, the risk of developing any infection is extremely minimal and there are few potential side effects (discussed above). When compared with powerful oral treatments that all have the potential side effects, this is certainly a big bonus.
Until more evidence is available, medical professionals and podiatrists generally suggest to sticking with more-established treatments. Topical nail fungus treatments are very often the most effective, least potentially dangerous and cost effective. When you are choosing which method of treatment to pursue, do your homework and if possible, consult a podiatrist or medical professional for a discussion.
Tags: nail fungus, prevent nail fungus, toenail fungus cure, toenail fungus treatment
