Fungal Infections

Lasers now provide a possible way of reducing or eliminating nail fungus (dermatophytes and moulds) which are sensitive to laser targeted non-physiological heating above 40ºC. Improvement in the proximal nail plate clear zone occurs at three months but this may not be maintained long term or be associated with mycological clearance.

Preferential absorption of micropulsed 1064nm radiation can harm the fungus without coagulative necrosis of adjacent tissue although in vitro studies show that a temperature of 50ºC is required to cause fungal cell wall lysis.

A temperature feedback system is utilised in Genesis Plus™ format, other recent approaches include ablative fractional injury to fungi within the nail plate. These approaches give us an alternative to systemic treatments with itraconazole, fluconazole and terbinafine although it is likely that combination treatments will prove most effective.

Important considerations, however, are nail health (injury), peripheral circulation and disease such as psoriasis and lichen planus.

Non-complicated tinea unguium will respond well to 1-3 laser treatments (1064nm Nd:YAG micro-pulsed) but active debridement and podiatric care should be used as well.

Another recent approach to this problem with the femtosecond infrared titanium sapphire laser has also shown promise but results are preliminary.

For more information about this condition, please contact the Solais team below...