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toenail fungus laser

Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment

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Laser toenail fungus treatments, also known as laser therapy or laser nail therapy, are non-invasive procedures used to treat onychomycosis, a common fungal infection of the toenails. This condition can lead to discoloration, thickening, and brittle nails, and it’s often challenging to treat with topical medications alone. Laser treatments offer an alternative option for managing toenail fungus.

How Laser Toenail Fungus Treatments Work: During a laser treatment session, a specialized laser device is used to emit focused beams of light onto the affected toenails. The laser energy penetrates the nail plate, targeting and heating the fungal cells responsible for the infection. The goal is to destroy or weaken the fungus without causing harm to the surrounding healthy tissue.

Benefits of Laser Toenail Fungus Treatments:

  1. Non-invasive: Laser treatments do not involve surgery or the use of oral medications, reducing the risk of potential side effects.
  2. Quick and painless: The procedure is usually quick and painless, with no need for anesthesia.
  3. Minimal downtime: Patients can resume normal activities immediately after the treatment.
  4. Potential for better results: Laser therapy may offer improved results compared to traditional topical treatments alone.

Limitations of Laser Toenail Fungus Treatments:

  1. Variable effectiveness: While some patients experience significant improvement, results may vary depending on the severity of the infection and the type of laser used.
  2. Multiple sessions may be required: Some individuals may need several treatment sessions spaced over several months to achieve optimal results.
  3. Cost: Laser treatments can be relatively expensive, and they may not always be covered by health insurance as they are considered cosmetic or elective procedures.
  4. Not a guaranteed cure: There is no guarantee that laser treatments alone will completely eliminate the toenail fungus. Combining laser therapy with other antifungal measures and good foot hygiene is often recommended for better results.

It’s essential to consult with Chicago podiatrist at 773-205-0106 before considering laser toenail fungus treatments. They can evaluate your specific situation, discuss available treatment options, and determine whether laser therapy is the right approach for you. In some cases, they may recommend a combination of treatments to address the fungal infection more effectively.

Book appointment with podiatrists in Chicago for laser toenail fungus.

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Dealing With Toenail Fungus

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Toenail Fungus Treatments

Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a common condition that can be stubborn to treat. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. Here are some tips for dealing with toenail fungus:

  1. Maintain proper foot hygiene: Keep your feet clean and dry, especially after bathing or swimming. Make sure to thoroughly dry the affected toenails, as moisture encourages fungal growth.
  2. Trim and thin the nails: Regularly trim your toenails straight across and file them down to thin the infected areas. This helps reduce the thickness of the nail, making topical treatments more effective.
  3. Wear breathable footwear: Choose shoes made of breathable materials, such as leather or mesh, to allow air circulation. Avoid wearing tight or narrow shoes that can cause excessive sweating.
  4. Use antifungal treatments: Over-the-counter antifungal creams, ointments, or sprays can be applied to the affected toenails and surrounding skin. Look for products containing active ingredients like clotrimazole or terbinafine. Follow the instructions on the packaging for proper use.
  5. Apply nail lacquer: Prescription-strength antifungal nail lacquers, such as ciclopirox or amorolfine, can be effective in treating toenail fungus. Apply as directed, typically once or twice a week, and remove the layers with alcohol every seven days before reapplying.
  6. Consider oral medications: In severe or persistent cases, oral antifungal medications may be prescribed by a healthcare professional. These medications have potential side effects, so they should be used under medical supervision.
  7. Protect your feet in public areas: Toenail fungus can be contagious, so take precautions in public areas like swimming pools, gyms, or showers. Wear shower shoes or sandals to minimize contact with surfaces where fungi may thrive.
  8. Be patient and consistent: Treating toenail fungus takes time, and improvement may be gradual. Consistency in following the treatment plan is key. It can take several months for a healthy nail to grow and replace the infected portion.

Remember, these tips are general recommendations, and the effectiveness of treatments may vary from person to person. Consulting with a healthcare professional, podiatrist, will provide you with a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment options based on the severity of your condition.

Call to schedule an appointment for any our Chicago podiatry offices: 773-205-0106

Lear more: https://europeanfootandankleclinic.com

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Toenail Fungus Laser Treatment

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Toenail Fungus. Laser Treatment

Toenail fungus laser treatment is a medical procedure that uses a laser to target and eliminate fungal infections in the toenails. The laser heats up the infected area, which destroys the fungus and promotes healthy nail growth.

The procedure usually takes around 30 minutes to an hour and is performed by a podiatrist or dermatologist. It is typically painless, but some patients may experience a warming or tingling sensation during the treatment.

Toenail fungus laser treatment is considered a safe and effective alternative to traditional treatments such as topical antifungal medications or oral medications that can have side effects. However, it can be more expensive and may not be covered by insurance.

It’s important to note that toenail fungus laser treatment may not work for everyone, and it may take several treatments to fully eliminate the infection. In addition, good nail hygiene practices such as keeping feet clean and dry, avoiding tight-fitting shoes, and regularly trimming nails can help prevent future infections.

Schedule your appointment by calling:  773-205-0106

toenail fungus

How to Treat Toenail Fungus

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Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus infections often start as athlete’s foot, a skin infection, before spreading to the toenails, although they can also occur on just the nails. Symptoms of toenail fungus include changes in the texture, color, and shape of the nail. The nail may become crumbly, brittle, or thickened and develop yellow, white, or brown spots. In more severe cases, the nail can change shape, separate from the nail bed, emit a foul odor, and make wearing shoes uncomfortable.

Have you noticed a yellow discoloration in one or more of your toenails? Is the toenail thicker and harder to trim than usual?  Is the nail starting to thicken, making it uncomfortable to wear your everyday shoes? If so, then you could be dealing with a nail fungus. Toenail fungus develops when the toenails have been in moist or wet environments and did not receive proper care afterward. For instance, areas such as communal showers can often be a breeding ground for fungus. Because of this, athletes can be more prone to developing fungal toenails. This is a common problem that occurs more often in older adults. Nail fungus isn’t just a cosmetic problem and can result in lasting issues for the affected toenails without the right treatment.

How to Treat Toenail Fungus

Laser treatments have shown to be more successful than topical ointments and can clear the infection without damaging the healing tissue. For minor cases, creams and topical medications are used to treat fungal nails. However, when the condition is a bit more serious, oral medications are used because they have proven to be very effective.

Laser for fungal toenail is a pain free and fast procedure, to treat any type of fungus infection in your nail. This technique uses laser light to penetrate and vaporize nail bed and special frequency kills only infected cells, with this method there’s no down time and it does not affect your everyday life. Unfortunately all Illinois insurance providers seeing Nail Fungus Laser treatment as a cosmetic procedure , this service can only be provided for private payers.

It can take six months or longer to start seeing clear nail growth after proper treatment.

Call to make an appointment: 773-205-0106

Read more: https://europeanfootandankleclinic.com/service/nail-fungus

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Benefits of Walking for Foot Health

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Foot Health

The foot is a structure with 26 bones, 32 joints, 103 ligaments, and numerous muscles and tendons, each component relies on the others to work properly. One of the best things we can do to keep our feet healthy is to use them. Walking can help improve the overall function of your feet.

Promoting good circulation through walking is important for your feet. Circulation is also critical in helping to fight infection if you have a bruise, or cut on your foot. Proper blood supply provides oxygen and nutrients to the structures of the foot and removes waste products. Good circulation also provides essential nutrients to maintain the health of your nerve sheaths and is important to sustain normal nerve function.

Benefits of Walking for Foot Health

  • Strengthen the bones and muscles of the feet and ankles.
  • Increase flexibility and stability in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
  • A healthy weight can reduce the risk of obesity, which can put a lot of strain on the feet and ankles.
  • Increase circulation and reduce swelling.

Tips for your walking:

  • Make sure to wear comfortable and supportive shoes, with socks.
  • Warm up and loosen up stiff muscles before you set out on a brisk walk.
  • Stretch after each walk to cool down and encourage muscle recovery.
  • Start slow, but challenge yourself to gradually take slightly faster walks.



Contact our Chicago podiatrist office to schedule an appointment for all your podiatry needs: 773-205-0106

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Time to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus

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Get Rid of Toenail Fungus

What is Toenail Fungus? Toenail fungus is an infection that lives underneath the nail, in the skin of the nail bed. Toenail fungus is more than a cosmetic concern.  Toe nail fungus is a condition often referred as Onychomycosis.

Toenail fungus can be a common occurrence among adults and children alike, so how do you know when to see a foot doctor for your toenail fungus? Untreated toenail fungus can lead to some serious short and long-term effects, making it important for your overall health to seek treatment.

The micro-organism thrives in dark, moist environments–sweaty socks and sneakers being prime candidates. Untreated toenail fungus can also lead to foot pain and difficulty walking, which are two signs that your toenail fungus has progressed to a level of needing professional medical attention. Foot pain occurs as a result of the fungus affecting the thickness and shape of the nail.

Chicago toenail fungus treatments are available at European Foot & Ankle Clinic in our four locations:

5501 W Belmont Ave, Chicago IL    Phone: 773-205-0106

6037 S Archer Ave, Chicago IL        Phone:  773-585-8003

5950 Hohman Ave, Hammond IN  Phone: 219-501-0115

4000 S Western Ave, Chicago IL    Phone:  773-376-3100

Ways to prevent toenail fungus:

  1. Wash your feet with soap and water daily, and dry them with a clean towel.
  2. Clip your toenails straight across with a clean clippers.
  3. Wear clean socks daily.
  4. Change your gym shoes after a workout. In fact, alternate pairs if possible, letting your footwear dry out between wearings.
  5. Wear flip-flops or shower sandals in the locker room and poolside, too.
  6. Keep your toenails short