Fungal Nail Treatment
Fungal nail infections (Onychomycosis) are most commonly caused by fungi called dermatophytes. The infection may cause thickening, discolouration and/or breakdown of part or all of the toenail.
Complete Podiatry's PactMED fungal nail treatment system uses photodynamic therapy via the interaction of light with photosensitive agents to produce an energy transfer and local chemical effect. Using this method, bacteria, viruses, and fungi can be effectively destroyed in nails.
Get the right diagnosis
A fungal nail infection, or onychomycosis, is an infection of part or the whole toenail that causes a breakdown of the nail.
Certain medical conditions can increase your risk of Onychomycosis as can environmental conditions and trauma. Onychomycosis is rarely dangerous in otherwise healthy people however, the thickened, discoloured nails may cause pain with activity, increase your risk of bacterial infection and can create significant psycho-social issues for some people.
Fungal nail infections are most commonly caused by fungi called dermatophytes following some sort of trauma to the toenail. Once the fungus has infiltrated the nail structure, it sets about doing what fungus does in nature; it begins to compost the toenail.
Fungal nail infections typically cause the nail to become discoloured and thickened. One nail or many of the nails may be affected. An offensive odour can sometimes be associated with the infection.
The podiatrists at Complete Podiatry will review your nail problem and can test your nail in the clinic to confirm you have a fungal infection. Once we clarify the cause of your nail problems, we can offer you the right treatment options.
We can help you understand your treatment options
The aim of fungal nail infection treatment is to kill or remove the fungus from the toenail and allow a healthy nail to regrow. 4 options currently exist for the management of fungal nail infections:
1. Do nothing - Your nail will continue to deteriorate and the infection will spread.
2. Nail Paints - Topical agents may be effective in the treatment of Onychomycosis. THese often take a long time and can be very hit or miss in creating a good treatment outcome.
3. Tablets - There is good evidence to suggest some tablets are beneficial. Cure rates from 38-68% have been reported with terbinafine (Lamisil ®) however, this treatment has been associated with a range of potentially serious side effects including liver failure and nerve damage.
4. Light Therapy - Laser treatment or Complete Podiatry’s PactMED Fungal Nail Treatment System can be used in the management of Onychomycosis. Cure rates from 77-87% have been reported with these systems. We have found this to be the most effective treatment for superficial and moderate fungal nail infections.
Enjoy your toenails again
Why put up with damaged, discoloured toenails when help is available. The team at Complete Podiatry can help treat your fungal nail infections with our PactMED system.
You will be given a small container of 40% Urea ointment to apply to the affected nails for 24 hours before treatment with PactMED starts. This Urea ointment may cause a slight stinging sensation.
At each PactMED treatment, the PactMED photosensitising gel will be applied to the infected nails. The nails will then be exposed to the PactMED light for the prescribed time.
There are no known major side effects of PACTMed treatment. The nail may retain a blue discolouration that will vanish soon after treatment, however, in rare cases, it may remain for up to one week. The effectiveness of the treatment can only be assessed after a period of approximately 3 months due to the time it takes for the nail to grow.
The human body is a complex structure and like many things in medicine, we can provide no guarantees of the effectiveness of treatment. We can only keep up-to-date with the latest quality scientific research and make this available to you to help make your decision.
If you would like more information about fungal nail infections or the treatment options that would be most appropriate for you and your circumstances, please call us on 8330 0004 or contact us here.
Book your fungal nail assessment now