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WHAT IS A FUNGAL INFECTION AND HOW DO I GET IT?

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We all have fungal spores on our skin, which naturally live quite happily causing us no

problems. Given the right environment i.e. warm, dark, damp (as inside our footwear) the

fungi spores thrive, and can cause Athletes Foot and start to invade under the nails. The

actual infected area is the skin under the nail, the nail bed.

First signs of a fungal nail infection are a yellowing or brown discolouration, thickening, crumbly or brittle nails. Nails may become misshapen and may lift from the nail bed. Most topical treatments are unable to penetrate the nail plate to reach the nail bed, and so appear ineffective 

 

 

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One treatment we offer here at Fancy Feet is Lacuna Fenestration.

What is it and how can Lacuna help me?

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Specially designed burrs are used to make micro holes through the nail plate. This allows anti fungal solution to pass through and reach the actual infected area (the nail bed). As the nail is ‘dead’ the micro holes will grow out naturally. A slight ‘pricking’ sensation may be felt, likened to eyebrow plucking.

Downward pressure on the toe from footwear when walking will help spread the treatment under the nail.

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Lacuna is not a short term treatment. Unfortunately there is no quick fix.

 

Anti fungal treatment is required at home following the procedure for at least 6 months, but can be as long as 18 months. Our podiatrists will advise on frequency and duration of application of spray, usually it is a daily application.

 

6 weekly reviews are advised and more holes may need to be made as nail grows forward.

 

Although short term studies have been very encouraging, it has to be stressed that no treatment can be guaranteed to be 100% successful.