Fungal Nail Infection (Onychomycosis)

What is a fungal nail infection?

‍A fungal nail infection or in other words "Onychomycosis" is an infection of the toenail which either affects a part of the nail or the whole nail which can cause thickening, discolouration and crumbling of the nail.
People who have fungal nails, often have a fungal infection on their skin otherwise called "Tinea Pedis" or "Athlete's Foot".

‍What causes fungal nails?

‍Most fungal nail infections occur as a result of dermatophytes that enters the nail structure, most easily after a form of trauma has occurred to the nail.  There are many places where you can contract a fungal nail infection from.
A warm and moist environment is a natural breeding ground for those fungal spores to latch onto.

‍How to treat fungal nails?

‍The aim of treating fungal nails is to kill the fungus and therefore allow a healthy nail to regrow.
Here at Undefeeted Podiatry we are lucky to have state of the art technology such as Lunula Laser which is statistically the best non-invasive method of treating fungal nails.   It is proven to have success rates of 85%-95 after 4 or more treatments.In addition to this, there are a number of treatment modalities that can help in assistance with Lunula Laser.  Some of these include:

• Washing your feet in the shower using QV, Cetaphil or a neutral PH wash
• Drying your feet thoroughly after a shower, especially between the toes to avoid that warm, moist environment
• Soaking your feet in an apple cider vinegar solution for 10 minutes a day
• Changing your socks regularly

How does Lunula Laser work?

‍There are 2 lasers involved with Lunula Laser.  A 405nm blue laser that has an antibacterial effect and damages the fungus and helps the body break down the fungus by producing hydrogen peroxide.A 635nm red laser that stimulates the immune system, and promotes more blood flow to the affected area and produces nitric oxide.You as a client would stay in the machine for 12 minutes per foot.   Total of 24 minutes if both feet are affected by fungal nails.Your immune system and blood flow are stimulated by the Lunula Laser, promoting clear and healthy nail growth.The surrounding skin and the nail are not harmed by the laser light as it passes through the nail.

‍Does Lunula Laser hurt?

‍No, Lunular Laser does not hurt, as both lasers are cold.  The only thing you might feel is a slight cold sensation during your treatment.

‍What are the results like?

‍Results are dependent on each individual themselves, and it is normal to not see any changes for a few weeks and even a few months.  This is because the fungal infection resolves from the base of the nail and has to grow out.  A fungal infected nail will grow at approximately 1.89mm a month compared to 2.5mm a month for a healthy nail.Once the nail has resolved, the results are incredible, often resulting in the whole nail clearing up from the base.

‍Who can get Lunular Laser?

‍Most people can get treatment for fungal nails through Lunula Laser, however there are some exceptions.  Our podiatrists will conduct a thorough assessment prior to determine if you are an eligible candidate.Book online for a Lunula Laser consultation with one of our amazing podiatrists to achieve the results you've been looking for!

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