Fungal Nail Treatment in Taylors Lakes
Around 20% to 25% of Australians have fungal nail infections and should undergo fungal nail treatment in Taylors Lakes before it could get worse. If left untreated, these fungal infections can lead to permanent loss of the affected nail, the spread of fungal infection to other parts of the body and probably the bloodstream as well, and the development of skin infection caused by bacteria (cellulitis).
You might be wondering why fungal infection affects toenails more than fingernails. That’s because our feet are almost always in a confined, warm, and moist environment like our shoes where fungi can thrive. The same fungi that bring about jock itch, athlete’s foot, and ringworm. It’s therefore advisable to always keep your feet dry and clean after wearing footwear or before having a manicure or a pedicure.
Unpleasant Sight
Having a fungal nail treatment in Taylors Lakes can be a bummer as it can be unpleasant at the least and difficult to treat at the most. While not normally serious, fungal nail infection can be a hassle as the infected nail becomes discoloured, thickened, and distorted. Common signs of a fungal nail infection include a distorted nail that may be displaced easily from its nail bed, an unpleasant odour coming from the infected nail, and brittleness or a thickened appearance of the nail.
With the propensity of many to cover its unsightly appearance, treatment can become protracted. You should follow your podiatrist’s advice so that healing is accelerated. Constantly applying antifungal ointments can be frustrating due to their limited success; oral medication, while quite successful, can have adverse effects on the liver. At Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic, we offer a safe and effective alternative-- photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) for fungal nails!
How PACT Works
Photodynamic therapy (PACT) involves using photochemical reactions between a photosensitive agent (a PACT gel), light of a specific wavelength (PACT light), and oxygen to kill the fungi on a cellular level. Fungal cells have cell walls which the dye in the PACT gel can target, weakening them enough so that when they are exposed to the PACT light, the fungal cells die. This reaction does not harm the surrounding healthy tissue.
Number of Treatments
The number of PACT treatments needed depends on the severity of your fungal infection. Our podiatrist will determine the severity of your fungal nail infection before beginning the treatment.
Usually, for mild to moderate infections, 3 initial sessions may be needed in a 1- to 2-week period, with a single follow-up session two weeks after the initial sessions. There will be 3 to 6 repeat sessions in a month depending on the result.
For severe cases, 3 initial sessions in a 1- to 2-week period are needed, with a single follow-up session 2 weeks after the initial sessions. Thereafter, 11 repeat sessions in a month will suffice.
About Us
We are Taylors Lakes Podiatry Clinic. We're a team of skilled podiatrists who take the utmost care of your foot health. We offer a very wide range of services like general nail and foot care, fungal nail treatment using four photodynamic (PACT) machines, corn and callus removal, musculoskeletal injuries, shockwave therapy, diabetic foot care, and orthotic management as well as quite a few ingrown toenail surgeries. We also offer children’s podiatry where we treat toe walking, in-toeing, and heel pain, among others.
Our podiatry care is very personalised, delivered by caring and professional podiatrists who are duly registered and accredited by the Podiatry Board of Australia. We believe in providing you with a super comfortable and friendly environment, allowing you a relaxed atmosphere that will ease your foot discomfort. All our consultations are 30 minutes, allowing more time to concentrate on your foot concerns in a relaxed yet professional environment.