What is Toenail Fungus?
Toenail fungus (onychomycosis) is a common problem that causes your nail to become discolored and thickened. The nail may also grow brittle and crumble at the edges. Toenail fungus usually isn’t painful, but you may experience pain if the infection worsens.
Even mild cases of toenail fungus can cause aesthetic concerns. Traditional treatments involve harsh chemicals or medications, yet the infection often returns.
Bay Area Foot Care offers a better solution to treating toenail fungus with the GenesisPlus laser. This advanced laser is 60-65% effective at clearing toenail fungus in a single treatment.
Who Gets Toenail Fungus?
Nail fungus is common, affecting as many as 10% of people all over the world. People of all ages can get toenail fungus, but it most often affects older adults. Your nails become dry and brittle with age, which may cause them to crack and allow fungus to enter.
A fungal infection may spread from the skin on your foot (athlete’s foot), but it’s uncommon to catch toenail fungus from someone else. The fungal infection can also spread to many nails.
What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like?
Toenail fungus may begin as a tiny white or yellow spot beneath the tip of your nail. As the infection progresses, toenail fungus may cause discoloration in your entire nail. The color may be white to yellow-brown.
The fungal infection may also cause your nail to thicken and become brittle. The nail may be ragged at the edge or distorted in shape. You may also notice dark debris build up beneath the nail.
How Does Toenail Fungus Laser Treatment Work?
Our Providers are committed to using the most advanced treatments for toenail fungus. The practice offers a safer alternative to harsh chemicals with GenesisPlus, a laser toenail fungus treatment. This cutting-edge laser emits tiny pulses of light energy that pass through your toenail and target the underlying fungal infection.
The GenesisPlus laser destroys toenail fungus without damaging the surrounding nail or skin. The specific wavelength of light deactivates fungal cells and heats the tissues of your nail plate to eradicate infected nail cells.
Laser toenail fungus treatment is noninvasive and doesn’t require anesthesia. The procedure only takes about 20 minutes for 5-10 nails. Most patients resume normal activities right away, but your nail may feel warm for a few minutes after treatment.
To learn more about laser toenail fungus treatment, call us or book an appointment online today.
FAQs
Toenail fungus (onychomycosis) is a common problem that causes your nail to become discolored and thickened. The nail may also grow brittle and crumble at the edges.
Nail fungus is common, affecting as many as 10% of people all over the world. People of all ages can get toenail fungus, but it most often affects older adults.
Toenail fungus may begin as a tiny white or yellow spot beneath the tip of your nail. As the infection progresses, toenail fungus may cause discoloration in your entire nail. The color may be white to yellow-brown.
