What’s that Laser for Anyway?

The laser is being used to treat onychomycosis or fungal nails. This condition has been traditionally very tough to treat successfully.

Traditional Nail Fungus Treatment

We have used lots of different creams, powders, solutions, tea tree oil, and other various home remedies to include straight bleach to treat or eliminate toenail fungus. The only studies that were ever done showed about an 18% success rate, so we know topical treatment doesn’t work well. Medication taken by mouth for 3 months has been the alternative but that had risks involved, especially to people with underlying liver conditions. For many people this was often not an option.

Is Laser Therapy Effective for Toenail Fungus

A few years ago we started using laser therapy and we were able to penetrate the nail in ways typical creams were unable to do. The success rate on the laser is still not completely known and I’m not sure we’ll ever have a set percentage for that due to the complexity of the different infections we see. Some people have a minor infection in 1 nail and others have all 10 toenails involved and they are very severe.

The last study showed 70% clearing at nine months which doesn’t mean that 70% of people were cured, just that 70% of people were getting better. So it isn’t perfect but it definitely has a role. For now it is not a covered benefit so it continues to be a cash pay product. We were excited to have our own laser so we can now roll out different pricing for the many different scenarios we see. We are excited this week to continue killing fungus.

Speak With an Albuquerque Skin and Toenail Podiatrist Today!

You might be confused and frustrated with your skin and toenail problems, but you can rest assured that we can help. Whether you require urgent care or want to schedule a routine checkup, don’t hesitate to contact us today at 505-880-1000 or through our online form on our website.

With experienced Albuquerque, NM podiatrists on staff, we are able to offer a wide range of podiatric services. We also specialize in heel pain, sports injuries, skin and toenail issues, and many other podiatric conditions.

We Go the Extra Step to Ensure Extraordinary Care

Experienced doctors. Our podiatrists are extensively trained in all areas of foot and ankle care, with more than 100 years of combined experience.

Excellent patient experience. Everything we do is dedicated to improving the experience for our patients, including offering a variety of over-the-counter podiatry products right in our offices.

Patient education and advocacy. Dealing with a podiatry problem is even more difficult when you don't understand your diagnosis or what you need to do to get better. We'll provide you with information about your condition and make sure you thoroughly understand your instructions before you go home.

Cutting-edge clinics. Our offices utilize state-of-the-art technology and equipment, such as on-site digital X-rays, integrated digital diagnostic tools, and the latest orthotic scanning.

Advanced treatment options. At some practices, it seems like your only choices are injections or surgery. Being a private practice allows us to offer a much wider range of options, including advanced treatments such as MLS Laser Therapy, Shockwave Therapy, fungal nail laser treatment, digital custom orthotics, and minimally invasive surgical procedures for bunions and other common conditions.

Prompt appointments. When you're in pain, you shouldn't have to wait weeks or months to see a specialist. We offer same-day or next-day emergency appointments for urgent issues, and typically get patients in for regular appointments within one week.