Is laser treatment effective for gray nail?
Disease description:
I suffer from gray nail fungus, characterized by thickened, yellowish-gray nails and nail defects. I heard that laser treatment is effective for gray nail fungus. Could you tell me whether laser therapy is effective for treating gray nail fungus?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Lu
Onychomycosis is a common nail disease caused by fungal infection, mainly characterized by thickening, deformation, and discoloration of the nail. In severe cases, symptoms may also include nail loss. Laser treatment for onychomycosis can be somewhat effective.
Traditional treatments include oral antifungal medications and topical application of antifungal creams, but these methods often require a long treatment duration and may cause certain side effects. Laser treatment, a modern approach, works by using high-energy light beams to penetrate the nail surface and directly target the deep fungal pathogens, thereby eliminating or clearing the fungal infection. During the treatment, patients may experience a mild sensation of heat or prickling pain, but anesthesia is generally not required. The procedure is brief, usually lasting only a few to several minutes per session. Patients can resume normal activities immediately after treatment without requiring special care.
Laser treatment may be a good option for patients with mild to moderate infections who are not suitable candidates for surgery. For severe cases of onychomycosis, laser treatment alone may be insufficient, and a combination of other treatments, such as topical antifungal creams or oral antifungal medications, may be needed.
Patients should maintain clean and dry nails in daily life and avoid external irritants. At the same time, adjusting the diet and appropriately increasing the intake of foods rich in vitamins can help promote recovery from the disease.
