Your toenails aren’t looking quite right. Maybe they’ve turned yellow or brown, become thicker than usual, or started to crumble at the edges. You might feel self-conscious about wearing sandals around town or showing your feet at the beach in Bonita Springs. Toenail fungus is more than a cosmetic concern—left untreated, it can spread to other nails, cause discomfort, and make wearing shoes painful.
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place for help. At Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Care, we offer laser therapy as a highly effective solution for treating toenail fungus. Our Fort Myers podiatrists, Dr. Melissa Winter and Dr. Michael Mancano, understand that uncomfortable and embarrassing nail conditions shouldn’t limit your active Southwest Florida lifestyle. Using state-of-the-art laser technology, we’ll help you achieve healthier toenails without the potential side effects associated with oral antifungal medications.
What Is the Impact of Toenail Fungus?
Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, develops when microscopic fungi invade the nail bed through small cracks or cuts. Unfortunately, Florida’s humid climate creates ideal conditions for these organisms to thrive.
The infection typically starts as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail. As the fungal infection deepens, your nail may discolor, thicken, and develop crumbling edges. Without treatment, the condition often worsens over time. Some people experience pain when wearing shoes or walking.
Traditional treatments include topical creams, which often prove ineffective for moderate to severe infections, and oral medications that require prolonged use and can cause various side effects. Laser therapy provides a different approach—one that targets the fungus directly without systemic side effects.
How Does Laser Therapy Work Against Fungal Infections?
At Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Care, we offer Southwest Florida patients innovative laser therapy, which uses focused light energy to penetrate the nail plate and reach the nail bed where fungal infections reside. The laser delivers controlled pulses of energy to the infected tissue, creating an environment that prevents fungi from surviving. This targeted approach destroys the organisms causing the infection while leaving surrounding healthy tissue unharmed.
During treatment, the laser passes through your toenail multiple times, ensuring thorough coverage of the infected area. The laser energy disrupts the fungal cells’ ability to reproduce and spread. As your nail grows, new healthy nail tissue gradually replaces the infected nail. While the fungus itself dies during treatment, visible improvement takes time because toenails grow slowly.
What are the Benefits of Choosing Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus?
Laser therapy offers several advantages over traditional antifungal treatments, including:
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Non-invasive. The procedure requires no anesthesia or injections and causes minimal discomfort.
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Safe. Unlike oral antifungal drugs, laser treatment doesn’t affect your liver or require blood tests to monitor organ function, making it a preferred option for patients with underlying health conditions.
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Convenient. Laser therapy sessions typically last about 10 minutes (depending on the number of nails treated), with most patients requiring only one to three treatments, spaced four months apart.
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No downtime. The procedure allows you to return to your regular activities immediately after treatment.
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Effective. Clinical studies show laser therapy effectively eliminates fungal infections in many patients, with most seeing significant improvement in appearance as healthy nail growth emerges.
What to Discuss With Your Fort Myers Podiatrist
During your consultation, Dr. Winter or Dr. Mancano will examine your toenails and outline appropriate treatment options. Your consultation will include:
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Your medical history, including whether you have health conditions that can affect the feet, like diabetes or poor circulation
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Your symptoms, including when they began and whether they’ve changed over time
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Your active level and lifestyle
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Your treatment expectations and goals
We create a personalized treatment plan designed not only to eliminate your current infection but also to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
What Should You Expect During Your Laser Treatment Session?
Laser therapy requires minimal preparation on your part. Wear comfortable, easy-to-remove footwear and arrive with clean feet and unpolished toenails, as the laser needs direct access to your natural nail surface to work effectively.
The procedure itself is straightforward—you'll sit comfortably while the laser passes over your affected nails in multiple sweeps. Most patients describe the sensation as a gentle warming feeling. The session typically lasts about 10 minutes, depending on the number of nails that require treatment.
Afterward, you can put your shoes right back on—you won’t have any bandages and don’t need a recovery period. You’ll resume your regular exercise routine, visit the gym, or enjoy Southwest Florida's outdoor activities without waiting for a healing period.
Post-Treatment Care and Nail Recovery
Most patients notice clearer nail growth within two to three months, with full results becoming apparent after nine to twelve months as the nail fully grows out. Yes, that seems like a long time—and it is! But the average toenail grows approximately 1.62 millimeters per month.
Our podiatrists schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and ensure the infection doesn't return. They also provide guidance on preventing reinfection, including recommendations for proper foot hygiene, appropriate footwear choices, and ways to reduce moisture around your toes.
Combining Laser Therapy With Other Foot Care Services
While laser therapy effectively treats toenail fungus, maintaining overall foot health involves more than addressing one specific condition. Dr. Winter and Dr. Mancano offer guidance on proper foot care practices that support healthy nails and prevent various foot problems common among people on the move.
For patients seeking immediate visual improvement, KeryFlex may enhance the results of laser therapy. This cosmetic restoration option creates natural-looking artificial nails while your new, healthy nails grow underneath, allowing you to feel confident showing your feet.