Toenail fungus infection or onychomycosis can sometimes become difficult to deal with. Not only does it change the appearance and texture of your nail, but it can also hurt a lot, leaving you in pain. Laser treatments for toenail fungus are increasingly popular for their effectiveness. Here is how they work.

Evaluation

The first step is to evaluate the intensity of the infection. Proper diagnosis will help determine the correct treatment and its duration. Your podiatrist or family doctor may suggest clipping your toenails and cleaning the dead skin a few days before the actual procedure. This is also known as debridement.

On the Day of Laser Treatment

The doctor starts by cleaning your foot with a sterile solution. The next step is positioning your foot so that the laser is directed correctly. The laser device emits pulses of energy that produce heat to penetrate the affected toenails. The infected tissue in the toenail is gasified and decomposed and the fungus is destroyed. The heat from the laser also ensures the prevention of new fungal growth. One session of laser treatment lasts about 30 minutes or less.

Repeating the Treatment and Follow-ups

Only a little energy in the form of heat is emitted in one session of laser treatment. This may not be enough to destroy all the affected parts of your foot. A repeat treatment is, therefore, usually advised. The number of repeat treatments will vary according to the diagnosis from person to person. Laser treatments are proving to be more effective than other ways of treating toenail fungus infection.