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How to Treat Toenail Fungus With UV Light

How to Treat Toenail Fungus With UV Light

Toe fungus is a common affliction that happens to most people at some point in their life. It is not something that is particularly dangerous, but it can be inconvenient and quite difficult to shake loose from. New therapies are continually being developed, but one that has gained in popularity is the UVB narrowband phototherapy. This involves using UV light to kill toenail fungus.

Toe fungus can also vary in it severity. For those cases that are quite mild, medication might be the best solution. For those cases where this does not work, stepping up the treatment a bit to include laser treatments or even ultraviolet or infrared irradiation can be effective. Using uv light for toenail fungus can also be combined with the medication to treat the problem. Of course, this all depends on what the experts recommend. Unfortunately, this treatment, when done by a professional, can be a little pricey.

How to Use UV Lamps for Toenails Fungus?

Nowadays, people are able to buy their own UV lamps to do this treatment themselves. Does UV light kill fungus? Using this light directed at the affected area can be very effective. In order to apply the correct treatment so the fungus does not return, it is important to also treat the shoes on the inside with the UV light. If a lamp is not available, then direct sunlight can also do the job. If the shoe is not treated, then the fungus can re-infect the toes. This is true whether you choose to use medication to treat the problem, or whether a UV light is used. The spores have to be killed for this re-infection not to happen. Of course with any therapy, when a novice takes on the task of treating the problem, it can become somewhat complicated. It always needs to be done with caution.

UV Light for Fungus before and after

Many feel that UV therapy is the best treatment for nail issues. Whether this is true or not, it is becoming one of the most popular methods of treating nail fungus. The good thing about it is the fungal spores are completely destroyed by the light, therefore the fungus does not return. Any bacteria is also destroyed when using the light. The nail plate is also left in tact. With medications and creams, the nail plate can be left damaged.

Benefits of UV Lights for Nails Treatment

One advantage of using UV light for toenail fungus is the speed that it can work. Creams and medications usually take a fair amount of time to work. With the UV light, a cure and recovery are dramatically quicker. It must be used with caution however, since the UV light is able to quickly burn the skin. Therefore, starting at an exposure that is quite limited in time, and then slowly building up the time is required in order to avoid burning your skin. UV light is also able to affect a specific area. When putting cream on a fungal infection, the cream may not reach all of the spaces. With UV light, it will reach all of the spaces and can be more effective because of it.

Many people have concerns about the safety of a UV lamp. That is understandable and it is important to look into the safety of any procedures and equipment you use for anything. So long as you follow the directions and do not use the lamp longer then the recommended maximum exposure time, then there should not be any negative affects to your health.

Treatment lengths will vary from just a few seconds up to a couple of minutes per day. This usually goes on for a couple of weeks in order to see a full recovery. Since fungus likes dark places, does uv light kill fungus? The UV light is effective because it is able to penetrate through the nail to the back side where the fungus usually starts and continues reinfecting.

Despite all of this, it is important to address any medical issues with a doctor before applying any solutions of your own. Fungal problems of the toenails is usually not very serious, but it can be uncomfortable with pain and itchiness. Talking to a medical professional about a condition like this is always recommended to make sure there is not something else going on.

4 thoughts on “How to Treat Toenail Fungus With UV Light

  1. Is there a special uv lamp that should be used? I have looked into buying uv lamps to clear nail fungus but they are pricy; however, uv lamps like the ones used at nail salons to accelerate the drying process of lacquer on the nail are much more affordable. I was wondering if one of those lamps would work just fine since it’s also uv light. Hope you can answers, and thank you in advance.

        1. No, it won’t. Only, medical professional lamp that FDA register produces special UV spectrum that cures the skin disease.
          Even if you use the Sun light, it is hard to control how much radiation you get. Respectively, uncontrolled radiation may not give you any effect or burn your skin.

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