Medical procedures nowadays are simple and easy. Thanks to the advancement of technology in the realm of medicine. One such instance of these is the laser treatment. This kind of treatment has been a popular way of removing unwanted blemishes on the face. This kind of treatment, too, has also restored impaired visions, as in Lasik. It has also been known for removing unnecessary hair follicles. Now there’s another use for laser in medicine, and this is the laser treatment for toenail fungus. Due to the fact that oral medication, topical solutions and homeopathic procedures do not sometimes help in keeping the toenail fungus at bay, this has been seen as the new alternative to fighting toenail fungus that has been affecting more than 20 million American adults.
Fungal toenail infection, also known as onychomycosis in medical terms, are usually acquired genetically, but mostly, people who are sports-minded and have active lifestyles are the ones who get the infection. Unnecessary care for the feet, such as going barefoot in dirty pavements and moist feet, are one of the main causes for accumulating the fungus.
It would start out as a mild cosmetic problem, and can be treated with nail lacquer to cover it up. In the long run, though, the fungi would spread in the other parts of the toenail, making it look ugly and painful. Prescription drugs are known to eliminate the fungus, but it has its own side effects. Because of this, the recent discovery of toenail fungus laser treatment was deemed as an alternative solution for such an infection.
The procedure is simple and painless as one would think otherwise. A small nail fungus laser device is placed directly on the infected toenail. The heat of the laser then infiltrates the nail. The duration of this treatment is estimated to be 30 to 45 minutes long, depending on the number of toenails to be treated. Since this is a painless procedure, the toenail and its surrounding skin are unharmed, and because of this, there are no age or health restrictions for this kind of procedure.
The cost of a toenail fungus laser treatment may range from as low as £600 to £1,300. However, this medical procedure is not covered by insurance. Whatever the cost, the treatment is a one-time deal and creates immediate results. Though the toenail won’t right away change back to its previous form before the infection, it has been proven that the fungal infection is removed right on the onset of the treatment.
Toenail Fungus Home Remedies
Toenail fungus home remedy can also be performed in treating this disease. You need to soak the infected part in the mixture of water and vinegar. Do this up to 20 minutes or you can let your feet immerse into the solution a bit longer than the said time. The acidity of the vinegar will prevent the growth of the fungus. The Apple Cider vinegar for toenail fungus is more effective than the regular one. Remember that this is contagious. After soaking, wipe it with a clean and dry cloth. Do not include the toes yet. Let it absorb the vinegar solution. This can be done up until the symptom disappeared.
Others do it in another way. The water and vinegar are put in separate basins. You need to wash your feet in the basin filled with hot water first. Dry it up thoroughly using a towel or an absorbent paper. After doing so, you may now submerge your feet in the other basin which has vinegar. Stay in it for about 20 minutes or so. This is a natural toenail fungus treatment.
Other thing that you can do is to use Hydrogen Peroxide. Spray it on your feet. This will help to eliminate the bad odor caused by the fungus. Do not mix the vinegar and the Hydrogen Peroxide due to it will result to increased skin peeling.
Another nail fungus home remedy is simply filing the nail to remove the infected part. Though it is recommended to use broken glass to file this infection, one can use a nail file if the pain is unbearable. Just make sure that the file used for the infection will be sterilized and will be disposed after use to avoid infection to others. This remedy is associated with White superficial Onychomycosis.
Another natural cure for nail fungus is the Tea Tree oil. The Tea Tree oil or the Melaleuca oil is a natural antibacterial disinfectant. It is used as an antiseptic. Also, it has a usage for cosmetics. Its color is pale yellow to clear essential oil and the scent is the same as camphor or others say nutmeg. The produce is from the Melaleuca alternifolia, a big native shrub from Australia. The leaves are being steamed. Afterwards, it will be squeezed so that the oil will come out.
Based on studies, it is good in skin care and can be more effective than the antibiotics. It is used to cure head lice, acne, dandruff, yeast infection, and fungal infection. There are some studies that showed Tea Tree oil is also an antiviral and an antimicrobial treatment.
Tea Tree oil for toenail fungus is more efficient if it will be applied twice daily for six months. It is simple to follow. You need to have a cotton balls or cotton buds whichever is available. Dip it in the oil then apply it on the affected part. You may want to do this in the morning after you take a bath and before going to bed. It can cause rashes for some people who have delicate skin especially if it is not well diluted. Make sure to dilute it in another liquid or base to avoid skin irritation.
A reminder for everyone, though it has medical benefits, it is toxic when it is taken orally. Be sure to keep it in a safe place so that young people especially toddlers will not be able to play on it. If a person accidentally swallowed it, it may cause drowsiness, confusion, hallucination, coma, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, and abnormalities on the blood cells. If in any case this happens, seek for medical attention right away.
If you do not have Tea Tree oil, you can use Oregano and Olive oil. Get a basin. Mix two drops of Oregano oil with one teaspoon of Olive oil. Apply it regularly but not more than three weeks.
You can also partner it with Lavender oil. The Lavender helps to prevent infections and skin irritation. Blend the Lavender oil and the Tea Tree oil then get a cotton balls and dip in the mixture. Apply it on the area that is affected by the fungus.
A person with toenail fungal infection can use mouth wash like Listerine and alcohol. It has the same procedure as the vinegar. You need to soak the infected part in the basin with Listerine or alcohol for about 20 minutes.
Some believe that using Vicks Vaporub is also effective in preventing the growth of the fungus. There is really no evidence of the efficacy of Vicks but others are still doing it. You could try this out but since there is no proof, there is no guarantee that it will take effect.
Undecylenic acid for nail fungus is one more way of treating it. It is a derivative of castor oil; an organic unsaturated fatty acid that is approved by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for over the counter toenail fungus treatment and other skin disorders. This eliminates itchiness and irritation. Check the label if there are ingredients that you are allergic to it. If you find one, do not forget to tell it to your doctor so that he will find another cure for your fungal infection. Furthermore, you also need to mention to your physician if you possess the following conditions:
- If you are pregnant, are breast-feeding, and are planning to get pregnant
- If you are diabetic
- If you are taking other medications
This is to ensure that Undecylenic acid will not react with other medicines that may affect your health.
If the above scenarios do not cure your fungal disease, your doctor might recommend for you to undergo surgery. These days, this is the last resort especially when everything that has been recommended failed. In addition to that, surgery will be pursued if the case causes severe pain. The surgeon or the doctor will remove the affected toenail and a new nail will grow back usually within a year.