Do you still have toenail fungus even though you brush anti-fungal medication on your nails every day? Laser nail treatment may finally help clear your nails. Your Gainesville, VA, podiatrist, Dr. Mukesh Bhakta of Prince William Foot & Ankle Center, can help you decide if laser treatment is good option for you.

Laser treatment targets fungus at its source

Over-the-counter topical medications aren't always effective in treating toenail fungus. The medications only penetrate the first few layers of your nail and never reach deeper layers or your nail bed.

If you don't kill the fungus growing underneath the nail on the nail bed, your nails won't get better. During laser treatment, shorts bursts of laser energy heat the pigments that make fungus look yellow. Heat immediately kills the fungus, eliminating the fungal infection. Depending on the severity of the infection, you may need several treatments spaced a few weeks apart.

Laser therapy offers a pain-free treatment method

Your Gainesville foot doctor precisely aims the laser light during your treatments. Laser beams only reach your toenails and don't harm skin or healthy tissues. Thanks to the short bursts used to generate laser energy, your toes never hurt or feel uncomfortably hot during the treatment. You may experience a little tingling, but the sensation isn't unpleasant.

Laser treatment has no side effects and doesn't interfere with your usual activities. You can go back to work immediately after you receive treatment.

Your toenail will still look yellow after you finish your therapy, but that doesn't mean that the treatment didn't work. As your nail grows out, you'll notice that the new growth is clear.

While you wait for your nails to grow, it's important to avoid new infections. Although the fungi in your nails have been killed by the laser light, you can still develop another fungal infection if you share socks, shoes or towels with someone else or walk barefoot in a public locker room or pool area. Taking a few steps to protect your feet will reduce your risk of reinfection.

Clear your toenail fungus with laser nail treatment! Call your Gainesville, VA, podiatrist, Dr. Mukesh Bhakta of Prince William Foot & Ankle Center, at (703) 753-3338 to schedule your appointment.