Fungal Nail Treatment by laser
Discussion
Has anyone here done this - looking for an idea of if its successful and how expensive it might be?
Have gone through antibiotic treatment a few times. The last round was unsuccessful because the Dr discontinued the course when there was still a bit of infection showing, insisting that the remaining part would grow out. It didn't, and now it's back with a vengeance.
The Dr made it quite hard to get onto this medication last time making me have blood tests and wanted to minimise the course duration, I get it that its for my liver health, and if its a choice of liver vs toenails, well that's an easy one to make.
Was idly googling for off-the-shelf treatments, and up came laser treatment. The Dr has never mentioned this to me as an option (I know it's not on the nhs, but they might have said something about its existence.)
Anyone had it and have some insights and info to share?
Thank you
Have gone through antibiotic treatment a few times. The last round was unsuccessful because the Dr discontinued the course when there was still a bit of infection showing, insisting that the remaining part would grow out. It didn't, and now it's back with a vengeance.
The Dr made it quite hard to get onto this medication last time making me have blood tests and wanted to minimise the course duration, I get it that its for my liver health, and if its a choice of liver vs toenails, well that's an easy one to make.
Was idly googling for off-the-shelf treatments, and up came laser treatment. The Dr has never mentioned this to me as an option (I know it's not on the nhs, but they might have said something about its existence.)
Anyone had it and have some insights and info to share?
Thank you
It can be very effective.
Results vary somewhat depending on the type of laser used - Nd:YAG and CO2 lasers generally tend to be the most effective.
In studies, laser treatment has a slightly lower to similar cure rates versus oral treatments. The significant advantage is fewer unpleasant side affects. A mildly warm toe is about the extent of it.
Expect a couple of treatments, a month apart. All toes should be treated to reduce the chance of reinfection.
Prices can also vary widely, but 2x £60 sessions would be reasonable outside of London, eg: creativetouchrotherham.co.uk/.../laser-nail-fungus-treatment <- not me, but I know them and trust them
Results vary somewhat depending on the type of laser used - Nd:YAG and CO2 lasers generally tend to be the most effective.
In studies, laser treatment has a slightly lower to similar cure rates versus oral treatments. The significant advantage is fewer unpleasant side affects. A mildly warm toe is about the extent of it.
Expect a couple of treatments, a month apart. All toes should be treated to reduce the chance of reinfection.
Prices can also vary widely, but 2x £60 sessions would be reasonable outside of London, eg: creativetouchrotherham.co.uk/.../laser-nail-fungus-treatment <- not me, but I know them and trust them
I went for the tablets and the regular blood tests for liver function. Took about 12 months to clear it out and, so far, not come back after several years. I was told expect 9-12 months treatment to clear it up. When I went with it to my old GP (now retired) she told me to live with it and I suspect that's more to do with saving money out of the practice budget than a satisfactory solution. My new GP was more enthusiastic.
Devolved budgets has a lot to play I suspect with some enduring treatments that are initiated and maintained by GP surgeries.
Devolved budgets has a lot to play I suspect with some enduring treatments that are initiated and maintained by GP surgeries.
FredAstaire said:
Has anyone here done this - looking for an idea of if its successful and how expensive it might be?
Have gone through antibiotic treatment a few times. The last round was unsuccessful because the Dr discontinued the course when there was still a bit of infection showing, insisting that the remaining part would grow out. It didn't, and now it's back with a vengeance.
The Dr made it quite hard to get onto this medication last time making me have blood tests and wanted to minimise the course duration, I get it that its for my liver health, and if its a choice of liver vs toenails, well that's an easy one to make.
Was idly googling for off-the-shelf treatments, and up came laser treatment. The Dr has never mentioned this to me as an option (I know it's not on the nhs, but they might have said something about its existence.)
Anyone had it and have some insights and info to share?
Thank you
You say antibiotic - did you try Terbinafine which is an anti fungal not antibiotic. Mine took about 4-6 weeks for new clean growth to appear and then three months ish for a full new nail.Have gone through antibiotic treatment a few times. The last round was unsuccessful because the Dr discontinued the course when there was still a bit of infection showing, insisting that the remaining part would grow out. It didn't, and now it's back with a vengeance.
The Dr made it quite hard to get onto this medication last time making me have blood tests and wanted to minimise the course duration, I get it that its for my liver health, and if its a choice of liver vs toenails, well that's an easy one to make.
Was idly googling for off-the-shelf treatments, and up came laser treatment. The Dr has never mentioned this to me as an option (I know it's not on the nhs, but they might have said something about its existence.)
Anyone had it and have some insights and info to share?
Thank you
I spent about 5 years filing the top of the nail then spraying daily with numerous off the shelf potions but none worked for me. I won't try the Terbinafine route as it seems too much for what is a minor issue.
In the end I tried "fenestration". The chiropodist drills numerous tiny holes in your nail through to the nail bed so that the spray stuff they give you gets directly to the nail bed. Older fenestration drills relied on the chiropodist stopping before drilling into your nail bed, modern ones automatically stop after penetrating the nail.
Afterwards I sprayed the nail as per instructions with the stuff I was given. It seems a lot better (6 months on) but is far from perfect looking. The nail had got very distorted (^ shaped instead of - shaped) and remains distorted to a lesser extent. It still grows distorted and thick but looks far better. Maybe it is not actually cured, or maybe it was so bad it can never be perfect again (I heard someone say it may not look perfect again).
If it does in fact get bad again I might try laser treatment so please keep us informed how you get on here thanks.
In the end I tried "fenestration". The chiropodist drills numerous tiny holes in your nail through to the nail bed so that the spray stuff they give you gets directly to the nail bed. Older fenestration drills relied on the chiropodist stopping before drilling into your nail bed, modern ones automatically stop after penetrating the nail.
Afterwards I sprayed the nail as per instructions with the stuff I was given. It seems a lot better (6 months on) but is far from perfect looking. The nail had got very distorted (^ shaped instead of - shaped) and remains distorted to a lesser extent. It still grows distorted and thick but looks far better. Maybe it is not actually cured, or maybe it was so bad it can never be perfect again (I heard someone say it may not look perfect again).
If it does in fact get bad again I might try laser treatment so please keep us informed how you get on here thanks.
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