The area of the toes is generally warm and damp, unfortunately making it a great area for fungus to grow. If left untreated, the fungal infection can spread, which is why it’s so important to get professional help early on and look into your treatment options.

Fungal infections occur due to fungus getting through the cracks of the toes or cuts in your skin. Common signs that you may have a fungal infection include thicker than normal toenails, oddly shaped toenails, discoloration, a yellowish hue to the nail, and separation of the nail and nail bed. Fungal infections can affect anyone but are most common among men, those with diabetes or athlete’s foot, and smokers. The risk of having toenail fungus also increases as you age, if another family member has it, and if you have a weaker immune system.

To avoid getting a fungal infection, it’s important that you wash your feet daily with soap and water, making sure to get in between your toes, and dry the feet well. When cutting your toenails, make sure the clippers you’re using are clean and that you’re cutting straight across. It’s also important that you wear shoes in areas where fungus can thrive, such as wet public places like swimming pools or locker rooms.

If you believe you’re experiencing a fungal toenail infection, we recommend that you speak with a podiatrist as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis and suggested plan for treatment.

Fungal toenails (onychomycosis) is a common infection that causes nails to become yellow, thickened, and crumbly. They may even separate from the nail bed and emit a foul odor. Traditional treatments are not always effective against this stubborn infection, and have sometimes been linked with harmful side effects.

What is an Effective and Safe Treatment of Toenail Fungus?
Cutera GenesisPlus is an FDA-approved laser treatment that safely and effectively eradicates toenail fungus without harming surrounding healthy tissue. This leading edge laser therapy focuses a precise beam of laser light which penetrates the layers of nail, and nail bed, where the fungus embeds itself. The Cutera laser raises the temperature where the micro-organisms causing the infection are living, which kills them.

As the nail grows out, healthy nail tissue grows in and pushes out the area of the nail that had been infected.

Is Cutera GenesisPlus Laser Painful?
The advanced technology of Cutera GenesisPlus is non-invasive and allows the podiatrist to monitor and control the temperature of the nail based on patient feedback. Any adjustments will be made to keep the patient comfortable during treatment.

How Many Cutera Laser Treatments Will I Need?
The number of Cutera Laser treatments required depend on how severe the toenail infection is. However, many patients experience an improvement in their condition after only one or two treatments. Each treatment can last from 20-40 minutes and sometimes they are spaced 6-8 weeks apart.

Most patients can resume normal activities right away following treatment sessions and there is no recovery period. Your podiatrist will schedule follow up appointments to ensure that the fungus has been totally eradicated, and that your new nail will grow in healthy and beautiful.

If you believe you have a toenail infection, make an appointment right away with your podiatrist to examine you and discuss Cutera Laser Therapy treatments. Remember toenail fungal infections will not go away on their own, and usually get worse if they are not treated effectively. Your nail may become misshapen and separate even farther from your nail bed, making it difficult to walk or wear shoes.