What do fungal nails look like?

Fungal nails can have a varied appearance depending on the microorganism that has invaded the nail plate, as well as where it entered, and other co-morbidities of the feet/nails. Stereotypically, fungal nails present with a Yellow-Brown discolouration. They also are quite often brittle and lifted off the nail bed. They can also be thickened and difficult to cut.

What causes fungal nails?

In any cases, there is primary trauma to the nail which allosed the miscroscopic dermatophytes (fungus) access to the nutrients of the nail. This dermatophyte then starts to eat the keratin in the nail – resulting in separation of the nail layers and further degradation of the nail integrity. One common mechanism is from tight fitting footwear which rub on the nail and causes this breakdown.

What treatments are there for fungal nails?

Fungal nail infections and treatments go back as far as ancient Greece! So as you can imagine, there are A LOT of treatments people have tried over the years.

Some natural options are Tea Tree oil, apple cider vinegar and even peppermint oil. The success rates among the natural remedies range from 8% up to 15%. So mechemicals (such as Hydrogen Peroxide 3%, and Iodine 2% have similar reported success rates in treatment of fungal infections. After 3 months of treatment if you fail to see any results it is recommended that you move onto a different treatment modality.

Specific anti-mycotic agents (terbinafine, amorolfine, griseofulvin, etc.) have slightly higher success (range of 15-25%), but this is dependant on the specific pathogen (t. ungium, t. interdigital, t. pedis, etc.). These mycotic agents also can be obtained in an oral tablet, and boast a 68-72% success rate, butthey are hepatotoxic and can damage kidney function.

ToeFX (Photodisinfection Therapy)

ToeFX is the newest treatment approved for the management and eradication of fungus and promote blood flow to the nail, resulting in greater nail growth. It does this via two mechanisms;

Step 1: A proprietary formula is applied to the nail, which penetrates deep into the nail and attaches itself to the fungus.

Step 2: A dual wavelength laser activates the formula to starve the fungus of its food source, as well as directly breaking down the cell wall.

Boasting a 85% success rate puts it at the top of fungal treatment options! To top it all off, compared to traditional laser therapies which are painful (since they use heat to kill the fungus), there is NO discomfort involved!

I have sensitive feet, will it hurt?

Nope! As previously mentioned, the ToeFX system doesn't use any caustic/acidic agents or heat in the treatment/management of fungus - so there is no discomfort!

How many treatments do I need?

Number of treatments varies depending on the a number of factors, such as how long you have had the infection, how far ingrained into the nail it is (depth and thickness of nail, and whether or not it has penetrated the nail matrix), as well as your local blood flow, immune function and any continual trauma being applied to the toe.

A minimum of 4 sessions is advised in as many weeks, which then open up to 3-4 week gaps until fungus is dead and nail regrowth is all that is needed.