Achieving Full Eradication
Mild
Very mild infections can often be resolved with daily application of a topical anti-fungal medication alone, but by adding two or three laser treatment sessions, spaced out once every few months, over the recommended 12-month treatment period, we can help ensure you achieve the results you desire.
Topical Medications:
Moderate
Moderate infections are rarely resolved with a topical medication alone. Monthly, or every other month, laser sessions significantly increases the odds of success. The number of laser sessions required will depend on the severity of infection, patient age and overall health.
Laser treatment is almost painless, aside from a slight pinching sensation that resolves immediately once done. During each session we also contour and thin down the infected nails, achieving a cosmetic improvement while also allowing better penetration of the topical medication and laser.
Severe
In severe cases where the infection has gone untreated for years, Dr. Dupont may suggest the most aggressive approach, complete, but temporary, removal of the nail. By removing the most severely infected nail(s) we are immediately eliminating the vast majority of the infection, thereby making complete eradication much easier to achieve. The application of a topical antifungal ointment as the nail regrows helps to insure success.
Nail removal provides the fastest cosmetic improvement in severe cases, with the nail beginning to regrow and appear normal in as little as two to three months. It is also the most inexpensive approach, and requires the least amount of follow up appointments.
Having a nail removed may sound like a painful process, but with over 10 years of experience and over 10,000 nail procedures performed, Dr. Dupont will make it as quick and painless as possible.
The use of oral antifungal medications, like Lamisil (terbinafine), are generally avoided whenever possible. This is reserved only for the most severe fungal infections due to the potential side effects. Topical medications combined with laser treatment, or temporary removal of the nail when indicated, are much safer and more effective than options than oral medications.
Steve’s Story
Steve reached out to us like many of our patients do, with a fair amount of skepticism. He had tried laser treatment a few times in the past but didn’t stick with it. He tried different topical medications over the years but admitted he wasn’t the best at putting it on every day. He had even tried a 90 day round of the oral antifungal medication Lamisil, despite the risks and need to get blood work done first. The infection never spread to any of the other toenails, but it only got worse and worse in his big toenail. After considering the different options, relative costs and chance of success, Steve chose to go ahead and have his nail completely removed, temporarily. After it heeled he started putting on the topical medication as often as he could remember, which he admitted was maybe four or five times a week. We monitored the progress with appointments every few months as the nail grew back, and reminisced at his initial doubt. No other treatment was necessary to achieve this stunning result, other than his every other day application of the topical medicine as the nail grew back.