Fungal Nail Therapy

What is Fungal Nail Therapy?

Fungal nail infestation affects over 2.0 million Australians. Whilst it is socially embarrassing for many people because it is aesthetically ugly, fungal nail is also a serious concern. Why?  It is detrimental to nail health and nail life. The longer it is present, the harder it is to get rid of and the more damage it will cause. Treatments today are far more extensive than the past when only lacquer (anti-fungal) was available to paint on the nails or prescribed medications were taken.

 The medical name for fungal nail is Onychomycosis. Fungi are the microscopic organisms that don’t need sunlight to survive. Some fungi have beneficial uses but others cause illness and infection.

They invade the skin through cuts so tiny you can’t even see them or via a small separation between the nail and the nail bed. As fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, this environment can cause fungi to easily overpopulate. The fungal nail infection occurs when the overgrowth of fungi develops.

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Why have Fungal Nail Therapy?

A fungus will cause the infected nail/s to:

  • Spread to other nails

  • Thicken

  • Become brittle, crumbly or ragged

  • Distort in shape

  • Become dull and lose the shine

  • Form a dark colour, caused by debris building up under your nail

  • Separate, over time, from the nail bed, a condition called onycholysis.

  • Produce a slightly foul odor

The fungi that causes fungal nail also causes jock itch, athlete’s foot and ringworm. It may also generate pain in toes

What are the treatment Strategies?

  • Use of Tinea Spray e.g. Solve Easy

  • Anti-fungal nail lacquers

  • Laser therapy

  • Prescribed medication

  • P.A.C.T. Photodynamic Anti-microbial Therapy. My Family Podiatrist we use PACT Photodynamic Light Therapy to address fungal infestations.

Why we use PA.C.T. rather than laser therapy?

  • Sufferers no longer need drugs, expensive lasers or never-ending applications of anti-fungal creams, because PACT acts directly by destroying bacteria, virus and fungus without pain, naturally and safely

  • It has been medically researched for effectiveness and has significant impact on the infestation and a high rate of success

  • It is less costly than laser and more effective than laser on clinical tests. We intend for our clients to get Podiatry that adds value to their lives. To do this we measured the results. Our in-clinic tests with 482 patients in a 3 year period delivered a success rate of over 90%. In the remaining cases of hardened infestations the clients needed to return for a second course of three treatments after the initial round of three.

  • From this we noted that number of treatments required varies with the length of time the fungus has been present and its severity. However, it generally takes three treatments to be effective.

What are the Preventative Strategies once it’s gone?

  • Avoid extensive use of Nail shellacs, synthetic nails and polishes that don’t breathe

  • Dry feet thoroughly, especially between the toes

  • Use antifungal powder on your feet

  • Never share socks, shoes, or towels with others

  • Wear sandals in public showers, around public swimming pools and other places

  • Wear socks made out of breathable fibres e.g. cotton or wool. If you wear synthetic fibres, only wear thick absorbent ones that wick moisture away from your skin

  • Change your socks when your feet get sweaty

  • Air out your feet when you are at home by going barefoot

  • Wear shoes made of breathable materials

  • Alternate between different pairs of shoes to give your shoes time to dry out and breathe.

 

Take the first step!