Laser toenail fungus treatment in Tampa can vary. In our clinics, our nail doctors are specialists in toenail fungus treatments. They will first consult you to see if what you have is really a toenail fungus. Afterward, they will recommend the best treatment options. Our nail doctors recommend laser treatment as the best treatment option.
How do you know if you have Toenail Fungus?
What are the symptoms of toenail fungus? Toenail fungus typically starts as a small discolored spot that eventually causes discoloration to the entire nail. Toenail fungus is very contagious and may spread easily to other nails.
In addition to discoloration, symptoms of toenail fungus include:
- Discoloration of the toenails
- Brittle toenails
- Thickened toenails
- Irregular or distorted toenail shape
- Foul odor coming from the nail
Toenail fungus can also cause nails to distort and develop an abnormal shape. In some cases, severe toenail fungus is painful and can make it difficult to wear shoes.
Is the treatment painful?
Most patients feel no pain. Some may feel a warming sensation or a slight pinprick.
Will insurance cover the cost of treatment?
This procedure is considered aesthetic and, therefore, health insurance does not provide coverage. However, you can use your HSA (Health Savings Account), Medical IRA, or Flexible Spending Account to cover the procedure.
When are results expected?
It varies depending on how fast your nails grow, but on average, it will take 6-9 months to see full results.
Brittle Toenails
A common symptom that people experience when they have toenail fungus is brittle nails. The nails become weak and start to break off. At times, the nails become flaky as well. When nails become brittle, this can disrupt regular nail growth, and your nails no longer grow normally.
In some cases, the nail may become detached from the nail bed. Oftentimes, the nail can fall off and continue to grow irregularly if left untreated. It is important to see a nail doctor when you start to experience any of the symptoms of toenail fungus.
Discolored Toenails
One of the most common toenail fungus symptoms is the discoloration of your toenails. Many people discover they have a toenail fungus infection by noticing the change in color in their toenails. The toenail can become a yellowish color that might begin as a small spot and eventually cover your entire nail. The discoloration does not always spread. At times, it stays localized to only part of your toenail.
Other times, people see white streaks or cloudiness on their nails. This also indicates that you might have a toenail fungus infection. There are times when people might not notice this because it won’t cover the entire nail. Only a small section might be noticeable.
How do people get a Toenail Fungus Infection?
Toenail fungus can be found all around our environment. Fungal spores infect your toenails by entering through the nail bed. Fungal spores tend to thrive in dark, warm, moist environments. A common way people get infected is when they wear the same tight-fitted closed-toe shoes for prolonged periods of time. This is especially true for people who work on their feet for long hours. This can create the perfect dark, moist environment for fungal spores to grow and infect your nails. Or when there is trauma to the toenail, it makes you more prone to fungal infections.
You can also transfer those fungal spores if you do not change your socks every time you switch shoes. This leads to having multiple shoes with fungal spores, allowing the infection to grow more.
You can also get a toenail fungus infection by walking barefoot in public spaces. This includes swimming pools, hot tubs, hot springs, saunas, gyms, locker rooms, and communal showers. People who already have a toenail fungus infection might be walking around barefoot, potentially putting themselves at risk of getting toenail fungus.
Tips on avoiding toenail fungus during the holiday season
Below are some tips on preventing toenail fungus during the holiday season. People can still get infected during the wintertime. Although it can be challenging to get rid of. Follow these tips to avoid dealing with toenail fungus.
- Wear closed-toed shoes in public spaces
- This includes public swimming pools, hot tubs, hot springs, locker rooms, and gyms
- Do not share nail clippers
- People get infected by sharing nail clippers and other nail tools. If you are sharing them, make sure to disinfect them before using them
- Avoid nail salons that aren’t clean
- Many people get infected with toenail fungus from nail salons. This is because they do not clean and disinfect their tools properly
- Make sure to look up your nail salon and see if they are up to all health standards
Laser Treatment for a Toenail Fungus in Tampa
Toenail fungus treatments in Tampa can vary. If you have caught nail fungus, it can be easily treated using the FDA-approved PinPointe laser, which typically only takes one treatment. Other treatments, like topical solutions and oral medication, are not as effective. Topical solutions have a very low cure rate. This is because the solution does not penetrate all the way through the nail bed. This is because it can lead to liver toxicity. You would need to have consistent blood tests throughout the course of taking the medication.
Our nail doctor in Tampa, FL, recommends this treatment for toenail fungus. The PinPointe Laser treatment has the highest cure rate in the market. It has no side effects and no recovery period. As a result, you can go about your daily activities right after the treatment. Also, there’s no pain.
If you have any signs of nail fungus, call us at 800-672-0625 at our Tampa, FL location, or visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.
How does Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus work in Tampa?
Laser treatment for toenail fungus is a newer treatment option. It is the most effective treatment. Our nail doctor in Tampa uses the PinPointe Foot Laser. It has a cure rate of eighty-five percent with just one treatment.
Our board-certified podiatrists will first debride your nails if they’re too thick. They will trim and file down your nails to ensure the laser penetrates all the way through your nail bed. Afterward, they will perform the laser treatment over the debrided nail. The laser uses a concentrated heat source that targets the fungus only. The laser is applied over the nails in a grid-like pattern to ensure the entire nail is covered. This will kill all the fungus that is present on your nail and your nail bed. It also doesn’t damage the surrounding skin. The laser beams are emitted in pulses to ensure the treatment won’t be painful. Most people feel a warming sensation when the treatment is performed.
Once the treatment is finished, the doctor will explain any necessary post-treatment care. Although all the fungus has been killed, there is always a chance for reinfection in your surrounding environment. It is important to follow all necessary post-treatment care to ensure the toenail fungus infection will not return. In some cases, some nail doctors will recommend more than one treatment. If that is your case, the follow-up treatments are given at a reduced rate.
Call our Tampa clinic to schedule a free consultation and get your toenail fungus treated today at (800) 672-0625 or visit our Laser Nail Therapy website for more information.
Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus in Tampa
Laser treatment is the most effective treatment for toenail fungus. If you have been struggling with a toenail fungus infection for a couple of months or even years, we recommend you schedule a consultation with our nail doctor in Tampa. Visit our Tampa clinic if you are interested in laser treatment for toenail fungus. We are open every day from 9 am to 9 pm for scheduling. Our board-certified podiatrists provide the best treatment to all our patients and have cured hundreds of toenail fungus infections. Feel free to call us for more information regarding laser treatment and to schedule a free consultation today at (800) 672-0625.
