FOOTOLOGY HEALTHCARE

Fungal nail infections of the toe nails are very common and affect a significant amount of the population. Once the infection is established on the nail bed it causes the nails to discolour and thicken over time, altering the appearance.

 

Fungal nail infections are very stubborn and often do not respond well to topical treatments. This is because they are typically applied to the surface of the nail usually in the form of a lacquer. Therefore they do not penetrate deep enough through the nail to reach the infected nail bed.

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Fenestration, sometimes also called Lacuna, is a technique where tiny holes are drilled into the infected nail plate. This allows anti-fungal medication to be applied through the holes onto the nail bed, completely eradicating the fungus and often improving the appearance of the nail.

 

Although people often wince when this technique is described, it is usually pain free as the nail has no nerve endings and the holes are tiny. Anti-fungal medications are then applied daily to the nail bed through the holes.

 

The nails are then reviewed every 6 weeks and the holes are re-drilled as necessary until the infection is gone.