Onychomycosis / Fungal Nail Infections
How we use PACT Nail Fungus Therapy to safely and gently treat fungus.
Onychomycosis (fungal nails) are one of the most common conditions that present to a Podiatry clinic. It is estimated that 1.6 million or 10% of the Australian population are dealing with this issue, which is quite a number. Generally speaking the older population, immunocomprised, athletes or people exposed to environmental factors are most susceptible however it is not limited to those populations.
How does my nail become onychomycotic / fungal?
Onychomycosis can start for a number of reasons including the following:
- Trauma to the nail (wearing shoes too tight, stubbing your toe or even someone stepping on your toe).
- Sharing nail clippers with someone who has fungal nail infection.
- Exposure to common wet areas (pools, gym showers or even saunas).
- Tinea pedis (fungal skin infection) is not always related to one another.
What does onychomycosis / fungal nail infection look like?
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- Nail lifting from the nail bed
- Yellow/ Brown or even White discolouration of the nail
- Thickening of the nail
- Skin growth under the nail
- Crumbly nail texture
- Uneven or ridged nails
Treatment option for onychomycosis / fungal nail infections?
There are a few treatment pathways when it comes to fungal nail infections and almost every time it comes down to personal choice.
- Topical treatment
- Oral anti-fungal treatment
- Podiatrist only treatment (reducing thickness of nail)
- PACT treatment
- Laser treatment
PACT: What is it and how does it work?
Photodynamic Therapy is a safe and gentle fungal nail treatment option. PACT treatment is a combination of a dye + light that penetrates the fungal cells walls, this causes a chemical reaction which results in fungal cell sensitivity and therefore destroys the targeted cells without harming the healthy cells.
Research has shown that a baseline of 3 sessions is necessary to show a therapeutic effect. PACT works best when you have had the fungal nail infection for 12 months or less.
PACT is suitable during pregnancy or for people with autoimmune issues that may not otherwise be able to complete alternate treatment options.
PACT: The process
- Nail preparation consisting of mechanical/chemical debridement of the affected nail/nails
- Application of photosensitising gel
- Application of the light source
The Initial treatment regime includes 3 separate applications of PACT with the frequency determined by your Podiatrist. Review happens between 1-3 months after completion of treatment. Periodic treatments will prevent re-infection as the nail grows.
How to prevent recurrence?
- Wear thongs in public areas (to create a barrier between your body and unclean surfaces)
- Avoid using dirty/ unclean tools to cut your toenails
- Avoid wearing tight or ill fitting footwear
- Avoid prolonged moisture to your feet (wash your feet and change your socks daily)
- Disinfect your shower floor
- Thoroughly dry your feet after shower/ pool
- Wash your socks/ towels with Canesten laundry sanitiser
If you think you may have a fungal nail infection and have been wanting to do something about it, there is no better time than the present to consult with your local Podiatrist.