Toenail fungus, medically known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium, is a very common infection of the nail. Nearly 3 million cases appear every year in the United States. Initially, toenail fungus may present itself as white spots on the nail or black spots underneath. Ridges will typically start to form and the nail will seem rougher to the touch. As the infection progresses, the nail may thicken, become brittle, discolored, or misshapen. The growing fungus separates the layers of keratin in the toenail, which leads to the characteristic distorted look. The white spots you notice on your nail are displaced keratin that has begun to build up.

Toenail fungus is notoriously difficult to cure with over-the-counter medicines. From foot soaks to ointments the efficacy of these is extremely varied, at best. However, in late 2010 the FDA approved the PinPointe FootLaser. This was the first of the “cold laser” treatments to gain federal approval. The laser kills the fungus in and under the nail, ridding it of the infection.

The treatment itself is non-invasive and very straightforward. The podiatrist will move the laser in a grid-like pattern over the infected toenail. This is a virtually pain-free procedure that generally takes less than 30 minutes, though it could take longer depending on how many nails are infected. After the procedure, the appearance of the nail will not have changed. While the fungus has been killed, the nail will have to grow out in order to see the effect of the treatment.

Laser toenail fungus treatments are now used all over the world and can be performed by a podiatrist in-office. The number of treatments it will take to cure the fungal infection varies by patient and type of laser. Speak with your podiatrist to learn more about getting rid of your toenail fungus.

When it comes to fungal toenails, not all treatments are created equal. The Q-Clear™ Laser System uses bursts of light energy to precisely target and kill nail fungus without harming the healthy parts of the nail or surrounding skin (known as anti-targeting).

Q-Clear™ technology creates the perfect combination and intensity of wavelengths and pulses, which are more effective than other types of lasers which can be painful and/or ineffective.

The superior characteristics of the Q-Clear™ Laser System can often limit treatments to only one session in normal cases, while other laser treatments require multiple sessions.

No recovery period is necessary with Q-Clear™, and patients can go about their normal activities-even applying nail polish if desired-immediately following treatment. The new nail will grow in clear: with no thickness, discoloration or distortion.

The Q-Clear™ Laser System is also more effective and less harmful than antifungal topical and oral medications. Topical treatments (either OTC or prescription) do not work as well as the Q-Clear™ Laser System, and oral medications take longer and may have serious side effects.

Talk to us to discover if the Q-Clear™ Laser System is an option for your toenail fungal infection.