Does Laser Treatment for Foot Fungus Work?

Section 1: Understanding Foot Fungus and its Common Types

Sub-section 1.1: What is Foot Fungal Infection?

Foot fungal infection, also known as onychomycosis or tinea pedis, is a common fungal infection that affects the toenails or fingernails of millions worldwide. It occurs when fungi infect one or more nails, causing them to become brittle, thickened, and sometimes discolored.

According to various studies, foot fungus can affect up to 10% of the global population annually, with symptoms like nail discoloration, brittleness, and thickening being common indicators.

Sub-section 1.2: How Do People Contract Foot Fungus?

People contract foot fungus through direct contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces, including swimming pools, gyms, showers, and public restrooms. Additionally, using infested towel or cloths that have dried fungal spores can also spread the infection.

For instance, people in close environments like hospitals or nursing homes are more susceptible to foot fungus due to shared towels and personal care products used by infected individuals.

Sub-section 1.3: Can Foot Fungus Be Spread Person-to-Person?

In some cases, foot fungus can be transmitted from person to person through skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual or contaminated surfaces. People living in close quarters or sharing showers often experience this infection more frequently due to higher exposure.

An example of such transmission is seen in military personnel who are housed together, their proximity and communal activities make them more likely to spread the disease among themselves.

Section 2: Does Laser Treatment for Foot Fungus Actually Work?

Sub-section 2.1: What is Laser Treatment for Foot Fungus?

Laser treatment for foot fungus utilizes high-powered light beams that directly target and destroy fungal spores infecting the nail tissue, eliminating fungal growth instantly.

While traditional treatments focus on medicating the infected area, laser treatment offers a speedier recovery option that eliminates the root cause of the infection within short sessions.

Sub-section 2.2: How Do Laser Treatments Compare to Traditional Methods?

Compared to conventional remedies like oral medications and topical creams that have long timelines for efficacy, laser fungal removal provides quicker results as well as lower chances of recurring infections.

For example, in research study on using light therapy against toenail fungus, participants treated with laser treatment reported 30% cure rate over a short duration – contrasted significantly to the slower recovery seen due to oral treatments and creams.

Sub-section 2.3: Are There Risks or Side Effects Associated With Laser Treatment?

While highly effective, people must be aware that some of patients experience mild side effects after undergoing laser fungal treatment, which include skin irritation around the infected site, redness, as well as potential burning sensations at targeted areas.

Ethical Consideration – Although the technology has shown great efficacy and efficiency, one should discuss with their healthcare provider on individual’s skin or nail condition, potential risk of relapse before deciding to undergo laser-based cure option for fungal conditions.