Embarrassed by Fungal nails?

Fungal nail infections develop when your feet are constantly warm and damp.

Fungal nails infections can be embarrassing, sometimes causing the nail to discolour, thicken, become brittle, split, lift and in some cases omit a bad odour.

Fungal nails can be a painful condition, as well as annoying as they can take a long time to treat.

Fungal nails Typical treatments involve topical nail lacquer which may take several months or years to resolve.

Alternative antifungal oral medications can be prescribed by a GP; however they can cause known side effects for some individuals.

At Simple Foot Solutions I am offering a new alternative to fungal nail treatment. The PACT system is a photodynamic therapy, which has been used successfully in many areas of medicine.

What is PACT Med?

Photodynamic antimicrobial therapy (PACT), is a quick, safe, effective and pain-free treatment for fungal toenail infections.

Treatment takes 10 minutes per infected nail, depending on the severity of the nail infection 5 – 8 treatments may be needed.

How does PACT Therapy work?

Fungal cells have a cell wall and the blue gel (Toulidine Blue) is applied directly to the nails which dyes the fungal cells.

The gel is non toxic and causes the fungus to become sensitive to the PACT lamp device exposing the affected area to a high wavelength of light which destroys and stops the growth of the fungus destroying 99.9% of all bacteria and fungi; without causing any damage to your skin or nail.

The number and frequency of treatment depends on various factors such as

  • The severity of the infection
  • The duration of the infection
  • The total number of nails affected
  • Response to previous treatments (if applicable)

A 3 month , 6 month and 12month follow up may be required to determine the effectiveness of the treatment, and whether any further treatments are required.

What can I expect during and after the treatment?

A mild warming sensation may be experienced during the application of the LED light.
The nail retains a blue discolouration that will vanish soon after treatment, however in rare cases it may remain for up to one week.

Is PACT Therapy safe?

There are no known contra-indications of the PACT photodynamic system. In rare cases an allergic reaction to the ingredients in the gel may take place.

PACT photodynamic therapy is safe to use whilst pregnant and breastfeeding.

Fungal Nail Diagnosis

It is advisable that a sample of the nail and tissue beneath the nail is tested to confirm the diagnosis of fungal nail infection. The Dermatophyte Test Strip Kit which take 5 minutes can be used to confirm the suspected diagnosis and ensure that the PACT med therapy is suitable for the condition.

To commence PACT Therapy for Fungal Nails I will need to assess your condition first.

For a consultation please email Tania  tania@simplefootsolutions.co.uk

The below video explains the testing process. Please note this testing is not available as a DIY kit and can only be undertaken by a qualified Podiatarist.

Treatment Plan

An assessment appointment will be made in order to assess the extent of the severity of the fungal infection.
A mild / moderate infection would be treated using 5 treatment sessions with in 3 months using the blue gel and PACT lamp device. During the initial treatment all of the infected nails will be cut back and filed and the thickened nail reduced with a special podiatry drill. This procedure allows the blue gel dye to penetrate the active fungal cells, enabling the most effective treatment. The application of blue gel dye to each nail takes ten minutes.
This will be followed by the PACT light therapy which takes 9.5 minutes on each infected nail. After each treatment you can continue with your day as normal.
In the first week of treatment, three sessions are to be carried out during a 7-10 day period.
Following this you will need to return for another two sessions, the first one month after, then the second two months later. The nail will continue to grow normally which is variable from person to person and depending on the severity of the infection can take 6-12 months for an entire infection free nail.

Aftercare

To avoid reinfection, clothing such as socks should be washed at high temperatures and recommend footwear to be treated with an anti-fungal spray. It is also advisable to wear of flip-flops when showering at the gym or swimming pool.

Prices

Initial Consultation from £32.00
Dermatophyte nail sample test from £32.00

Following an initial assessment, the price and length of each PACT session is dependent on how many nails are affected.

Please contact Tania to discuss full treatment pricing.