People love speed. We want out computers to run faster, technology to make chores quicker, cars to get us places sooner, and so on. Even classic heroes and cartoon icons are in on the love of speed—Superman goes faster than a speeding bullet, after all. When it comes to health issues and infections, though, not all treatments are quick. Infections like nail fungus are notoriously slow to eliminate. Fortunately, there are options that can speed up your healing process so you don’t have to worry about unsightly toes for too long.
Treating nail fungus involves destroying the pathogen at the source and allowing new, healthy keratin to grow in to push the old, damaged tissue out. There are a number of treatment options for this, including topical anti-fungal medications, oral medicines, and laser therapy. Of these options, laser therapy is by far the fastest method.
Laser therapy uses intense light to destroy the infection at its source. The powerful light is set to a specific wavelength that allows it to pass through your nail harmlessly, but still target and kill the fungal cells underneath. The whole treatment normally lasts less than 30 minutes, allowing you to take care of the fungus and then go back to normal life that day. Once the infection is eliminated, your toenails can immediately begin growing new, clear keratin.
The next fastest option is oral medication, which uses medicine that travels through your bloodstream to destroy the pathogen under your nails. You’ll have to take the pills for several weeks. As the medicine kills the microorganisms over time, your nails will continue to grow—and get clearer as they heal.
Topical options are your slowest choice, unless they are paired with oral medicines. Topical creams, lacquers, and sprays can’t penetrate keratin, so they can’t reach the root of the problem. You’ll have to use them consistently for an extended period of time to see positive results.
Ultimately, speed shouldn’t be the main deciding factor in your foot health. You should pick the option that is best for you overall. Our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. are happy to help you make the right decision and take care of your nails for you. Contact our offices in Castle Pines, Parker, and Cherry Creek, CO, for more information or an appointment today by calling (303) 805-5156. You can also use our online forms.