Fungal nail infections, also called onychomycosis, are a common problem. In fact, fungal infections cause about half of all nail abnormalities. That’s why thousands of people across the country deal with unsightly, uncomfortable, and sometimes painful nail fungus every year.
Traditional treatments for nail fungus, like prescription antifungal pills and topical liquids, can take a long time to work, and they can sometimes come with unwanted side effects. Because of this, researchers have been exploring new and innovative ways to treat nail fungus without these downsides.
One promising option is red light therapy. It’s a relatively new approach that’s quick, painless, and considered very safe. For these reasons, it’s quickly becoming a popular alternative treatment for a variety of conditions.
In this article, we’ll discuss the causes, treatments, and prevention of nail fungus, focusing on the potential benefits and application of red light therapy.
Understanding fungal nail infections (onychomycosis)
Before we jump into whether red light therapy can help, let’s talk about nail fungus.
What causes nail fungus?
Usually, nail fungus is caused by dermatophytes. These fungi love warm, moist places. That’s why toenails are more prone to infection—they spend a lot of time in socks and shoes!
Some things make you more likely to get nail fungus, such as:
- Getting older
- Having peripheral artery disease or diabetes
- Walking barefoot in public places like locker rooms and pools
Types of onychomycosis
There are a few different kinds of nail fungus:
- Subungual Onychomycosis: This is the most common type. It affects the nail bed and the underside of the nail.
- White Superficial Onychomycosis: This one affects the surface of the nail, causing white spots or patches.
- Candidal Onychomycosis: This often affects fingernails and is linked to chronic paronychia (an infection around the nail).
Symptoms of nail fungus
How do you know if you have a nail fungus?
Here are some of the signs:
- The nail gets thicker.
- It changes color (usually yellowish or brownish).
- The nail becomes brittle or crumbly.
- The shape of the nail gets distorted.
- Debris builds up under the nail.
Conventional nail fungus treatments and their limitations
If you’ve got nail fungus, your doctor will probably suggest one of two things: topical or oral antifungal medications.
- Topical antifungals: These are medications like ciclopirox and efinaconazole that you apply directly to the nail, or you might consider fungus nail patches.
- Oral antifungals: These are medications like terbinafine and itraconazole that you take by mouth.
The problem is neither is a perfect solution.
Topical treatments often fail for severe infections because they can’t penetrate the nail deeply enough. You also have to be super consistent and apply them for a long time.
Oral medications can have nasty side effects, like liver damage, and they can interact with other drugs you’re taking. Plus, you’re looking at a long treatment period – anywhere from 3 to 12 months!
Even after all that, nail fungus has a high rate of recurrence with both topical and oral treatments. So, you could go through all that trouble, only for the fungus to come back. That’s why people are looking for alternative treatments, like red light therapy.
Red light therapy for nail fungus: An overview
Red light therapy (RLT) is emerging as an alternative treatment for nail fungus. It’s non-invasive and painless, and it offers a potentially safer alternative to prescription medications and other conventional treatments.
Here’s how it works: Red light penetrates the nail and underlying tissues, damaging fungal cells through a process called photoablation.
Sometimes, red light therapy is combined with photosensitizing agents in a process called Photodynamic Antimicrobial Therapy (PACT). The photosensitizers enhance the antifungal effect of the red light.
For nail fungus, red and near-infrared light, with wavelengths from 660nm to 850nm, have been shown to be effective.
One of the reasons researchers are so excited about red light therapy is that it may be able to treat antibiotic-resistant pathogens. These are pathogens that have evolved to withstand traditional treatments. Red light therapy is being researched as a solution to this growing problem.
The Antimicrobial and Healing Effects of Red Light Therapy
So, how does red light therapy work against nail fungus? Well, there are a few ways:
- Direct damage to fungal cells: The red light can directly target and destroy the bacteria or fungus causing the infection.
- Reduced inflammation: Red light is known to reduce inflammation, which helps to create a better environment for healing. Researcher Michael Hamblin’s work really highlights how effective red light is at calming inflammation.
- Increased circulation: Red light improves blood flow to the area being treated. Better circulation means more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the nail bed, which helps it heal faster.
- Increased cellular energy (ATP production): Red light stimulates the mitochondria inside your cells to produce more ATP, which is like fuel for your cells. Andrei Sommer’s research has pinpointed exactly how red light kicks ATP production into gear.
- Increased keratin production: Red light can also stimulate the production of keratin, which is the main protein that makes up your nails. This can lead to faster and healthier nail regrowth as the fungus is eliminated.
Basically, red light therapy attacks the fungus on multiple fronts while simultaneously boosting your body’s natural healing processes.
How to use red light therapy at home for nail fungus
If you’re going to try red light therapy for nail fungus, here’s what you need to know.
- Choose the right device. You’ll find two main types of devices for home use:
- Red light therapy lamps and panels (which can treat larger areas, but may be overkill for a single toenail).
- Portable red light devices designed specifically for nails.
- Follow the directions. Before treatment, make sure the affected nail is clean and dry. Then, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the amount of time to treat the nail and how far away from the device it should be. Most treatments last around 10 to 15 minutes per day.
- Be consistent. It’s important to use red light therapy on a regular basis. Consistency is key to getting the best results and preventing the infection from returning. You may also want to combine red light therapy with other preventative measures.
- Treat your feet after showering. For hard-to-kill fungi and bacteria, try treating your feet with red light right after showering.
- Consider full-body coverage. Some people believe that getting full-body coverage of red light will maximize its effectiveness.
PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR ONYCHOMYCOSIS
Even if you’re using red light therapy, it’s important to take other steps to prevent and manage nail fungus. These general hygiene practices can help:
- Keep your feet clean and dry: Wash your feet daily with soap and water, and dry them thoroughly, especially between your toes.
- Keep your toenails trimmed short: This reduces the amount of surface area where fungus can grow.
- Wear well-fitting, breathable shoes: This helps to keep your feet dry and prevents the fungus from growing.
- Rotate your shoes: This gives your shoes a chance to air-dry completely between wearings.
- Wash your socks in hot water: This helps to kill any fungus that may be present. Consider socks made with silver, which have antimicrobial properties.
- Avoid walking barefoot in public areas: This includes locker rooms, swimming pools, and showers.
- Disinfect your shower or tub regularly: This helps to prevent the spread of fungus.
- Treat cuts and wounds promptly: This helps to prevent infection.
- Get moderate sun exposure: Sunlight has antimicrobial benefits, but limit exposure to avoid sunburn.
Support your body with red light to fight onychomycosis
Red light therapy can help your body heal. It supports your body’s natural processes to fight infections like nail fungus. Think of it as a way to give your body an extra boost!
One of the key benefits of red light is that it improves circulation. Good blood flow means that your immune cells can get to the site of the infection more quickly and do their job more effectively. Red light therapy may also encourage nail regrowth, speeding up the healing process.
Some research suggests that photodynamic antimicrobial therapy (PACT), which uses specific wavelengths of light, may be effective in treating nail fungus, especially for antibiotic-resistant types.
If you’re considering red light therapy for nail fungus, talk with your doctor for personalized advice.
Finally, a quick note about UV light: Don’t confuse UV light with red light. UV light can damage your skin and increase your risk of cancer, so it’s not a recommended treatment for nail fungus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which light therapy kills fungus?
While research is still ongoing, both red and blue light therapy have shown promise in treating fungal infections. Red light therapy may stimulate healing and reduce inflammation, while blue light targets and damages fungal cells directly.
What color LED light kills fungus?
Blue LED light is most commonly associated with antifungal properties. It works by producing reactive oxygen species that damage the cell walls of fungi, inhibiting their growth and potentially leading to their destruction.
Does blue light really work on nail fungus?
Studies suggest that blue light therapy can be effective for treating nail fungus, but results can vary. It’s often used as a complementary therapy alongside other treatments, and its effectiveness depends on factors like the severity of the infection and the specific type of fungus.
What kills fungus immediately?
Unfortunately, there’s no instant cure for nail fungus. Antifungal medications, both topical and oral, are typically required to eradicate the infection, and these can take weeks or months to show results. Over-the-counter remedies may provide some relief, but are unlikely to eliminate the fungus completely on their own.
Should I cut my toenail off if it has fungus?
Cutting off your toenail is generally not recommended as a primary treatment for nail fungus. While it might seem like a quick solution, it doesn’t address the underlying infection and can potentially lead to complications. Consult with a podiatrist or doctor before considering any surgical removal of the nail.
Conclusion
Red light therapy is a safe, painless treatment that may work well for nail fungus. It can help your body heal and fight the infection.
No matter how you treat your nail fungus, you’ll need to keep your feet and nails clean and dry to keep the fungus from coming back. Wash your feet regularly, dry them well, and wear clean socks and shoes.
Red light therapy might be worth trying in addition to other treatments for nail fungus. Talk to your doctor to figure out what’s best for you. They can help you decide if red light therapy is a good option based on your specific situation.
Overall, red light therapy looks promising for treating nail fungus. It could be even better if you also take steps to prevent future infections and get advice from a healthcare professional.