Do you suffer from Onychomycosis, commonly known as a Fungal Infection of the Nail?
Nail fungus, also known as Onychomycosis, is a common condition that can affect both the appearance and health of your nails. Often beginning subtly, it may lead to thickened, discoloured, brittle, or uncomfortable nails if left untreated. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and available treatment options is the first step toward restoring healthy, confident nails.
Causes of Onychomycosis:
- Dermatophytes – responsible for 60 – 70% of all cases. This is the most common.
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- Dermatophytes are a group of fungi that feed on keratin. Keratin is a type of protein found in the epithelial cells. These cells are tissue which is found on the organs covering internal and external surfaces of the body.
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2) Yeasts – Candida species responsible for 10 – 20% of all cases.
3) Mould – known as non-dermatophytes. Responsible for approximately 10% of all cases
Dermatophytes live in warm, moist environments, for example in the shower or swimming pool.
They digest keratin and are more common in the toenails than the fingernails.
Trauma to the nail is a trigger factor, for example from a fall or sports injury.
Symptoms to be aware of:
- A thicker nail
- A brittle or uneven-looking nail
- An altered nail shape
- A dull yellow colour with white patches
- A darker discolouration due to debris under the nail
- A tender, painful, dull aching sensation
- Odour from the nail
How can I treat this?
An informed diagnosis is required, along with your medical history, a physical examination, and a culture of the nail specimen — a scraping sent to the laboratory.
Once a positive result has been established, these are some suggestions:
a) Medication / prescription
Your liver needs to be monitored with blood tests, as the medication offered can cause stress to the liver. Your GP can advise you on this.
b) Nail lacquers
A slow process; this can usually take a year to clear.
Nail lacquers can have a lower rate of success.
c) Medicated powder for your footwear
Easy and ready to use.
d) Laser treatments
Our Cutera laser can offer you higher rates of success.
Our Laser Specialist will advise you.
Using a superior medical-grade laser — our Cutera 1064 nm Nd:YAG — allows the delivery of the correct wavelength, power, spot size, and number of pulses. This delivers intense heat, penetrating the nail plate deep down to the dermis, including all of the nail tissue, which can be successful.
A thicker nail is filed down to allow better light penetration, to ensure the heat reaches the target.
- All toes must be treated.
- 4–6 sessions at 1-week intervals are recommended, with regular follow-ups every 3–6 months.
- Pre and post photos are taken to monitor progress.
Great care is taken to ensure the correct laser exposure time, and knowing the skin type and severity of the affected area being treated.
Ensuring excellent treatment prevents the fungal colonies from replicating, stopping these unwanted fungi cells from surviving.
Let us help you stamp out your fungal nails and give you back beautiful nails for the summer.
