Nail fungus treatment in Burlington

Confirming the diagnosis

Thickened, discoloured or crumbling nails are not always fungal. Assessment distinguishes onychomycosis from trauma, psoriasis and other nail conditions, and a nail sample may be sent for laboratory confirmation.

Nail debridement

Reducing the thickness of the affected nail relieves pressure and discomfort, improves appearance and allows topical treatment to reach the nail bed.

Cutera GenesisPlus laser therapy

GenesisPlus is a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser cleared for the temporary increase of clear nail in onychomycosis. Pulses of light pass through the nail plate and heat the fungal organisms in the nail bed without damaging the surrounding tissue. Each nail takes only a few minutes, most patients feel a brief warm snapping sensation, and there is no downtime — you walk out in your own footwear.

• No prescription or bloodwork required
• Typically a short course of sessions spaced several weeks apart
• Nail is thinned beforehand for better energy delivery
• New clear nail grows in over the following months

ToeFX phototherapy

ToeFX is a drug-free phototherapy treatment delivered in clinic with the ToeFX Therapy Light. A photosensitising agent is applied to the prepared nail and then activated by light, targeting the fungal organisms in and under the nail plate without medication, injections or heat. Sessions are generally well tolerated and take only minutes. Side effects reported are typically mild and uncommon, and no bloodwork or liver monitoring is needed. It may be considered where topicals or oral antifungals have not worked, including some more severe infections; results vary, and your Chiropodist will advise whether it suits your nails. It is used on its own or alongside laser therapy.

• Drug-free — no oral medication or bloodwork
• Generally well tolerated with no downtime; you walk out in your own footwear
• May be considered for more severe infections after assessment
• Prospective study accepted for publication in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
• Short course of in-clinic sessions, with clear nail growing in over the following months

Reducing reinfection

Fungal nail infection often returns without changes to the surrounding environment. Guidance covers footwear, hosiery, shoe sanitizing and any skin infection at the same time such as athlete's foot.

• Footwear and sock review
• Shoe disinfection routine
• Treatment of any skin infection
• Household and family considerations

Timeline and review

Nails grow slowly, so visible improvement typically takes six to twelve months. Periodic reviews track clearance and adjust treatment where progress stalls.