PACT Fungal Nail Treatment Brisbane

How Often Should I Get PACT Fungal Nail Treatment?

Depending on your diagnosis, you may need to start your treatment with 3 PACT sessions in a week, or 3 sessions over 3 to 4 weeks. Your podiatrist will develop a personalised treatment plan for you based on the initial examination and consultation. Your plan may also be updated, depending on the progress of the treatment and the response of the affected nail. In general, the treatment plan involves multiple sessions to achieve the desired outcome.

We’ve summarised a basic treatment plan below; however, it’s important to note that your PACT fungal nail treatment will be based on your unique needs. 

Initial Phase

• Standard protocol: Generally, the initial phase involves 3 sessions within a week, spaced a few days apart (e.g., Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). This allows for effective targeting of the active fungal spores.
• Severe infections: In severe cases, your podiatrist may recommend additional initial sessions.

Follow-Up and Maintenance

• One month later: A follow-up treatment is typically recommended 1 month after the initial phase.
• Further treatments: Based on your progress and the severity of the infection, your podiatrist may advise further treatments spaced out at longer intervals (e.g., every 4 to 12 weeks).

How Does Fungal Nail Infection Develop?

Fungal nail infections, also known as onychomycosis, often develop in moist and warm environments, such as sweaty shoes, which contribute to the growth and spread of fungus on the toenails. The fungus thrives in the nail bed and can cause thickening, discolouration, and a distorted appearance of the nail.

Causes of Fungal Toenail Infection

Fungal toenail infections are frequently caused by the overgrowth of dermatophytes, yeast, or moulds. The development of a fungal toenail infection often boils down to two key elements: fungal exposure and conditions favourable for fungal growth. Around 10% of Australians experience a fungal infection each year, according to the National Health and Medical Research Council. Below is a breakdown of the main causes:

Fungal Exposure

• Environment: Fungi exist naturally in our surroundings, particularly in warm, moist areas like locker rooms, gyms, and swimming pools. Walking barefoot in these places increases the risk of fungal spores entering cracks in your nails or surrounding skin.
• Athlete’s foot: If you have athlete’s foot, the same fungus can easily spread to your toenails, leading to an infection.

Conditions Favouring Fungal Growth

Symptoms of Fungal Toenail Infection

Common symptoms include nail discolouration, nail thickening, crumbling at the edges, and distortion of the nail shape.

Available Treatment Plans and Options in Brisbane

In Brisbane, podiatrists offer a range of treatment plans for fungal nail infections. Alongside PACT treatment, other options such as laser therapy and comprehensive treatment approaches are available.

Exploring laser treatment as an option for fungal nail infection

Laser treatment is a possible option for fungal nail infection. Lunula cold lasers treat nail and skin disorders and fungal infections. However, laser treatment has not been approved for treating fungal nail infections. 

Infected nails and skin are treated with alternating vertical and horizontal laser passes. This is  repeated many times to cover all affected areas. Multiple therapy sessions can last for 1 hour, but the session length depends on how many toes need treatment. 

Notably, laser treatment does not prevent re-infection, and there is little evidence showing long-term benefits as most studies only follow patients for 3 months.

Considerations for a Comprehensive Treatment Approach in Brisbane

Align HC in Brisbane offers comprehensive podiatric services, including innovative treatments for foot and lower limb conditions. We also provide payment plans to help with the cost of your healthcare. Our podiatrists are committed to providing the best care possible, which we do through personalised treatment plans. 

With multiple clinics in Brisbane, including South Brisbane and Indooroopilly, Align HC is dedicated to providing expert podiatric services throughout Brisbane and Australia. 

If you are looking for a comprehensive treatment approach for foot and lower limb conditions in Brisbane, Align HC’s podiatrists will be able to help!

Explore Our Podiatrist Resources:

At Align Health Collective Indooroopilly, we are devoted to providing you with comprehensive information to help you understand various podiatric conditions and treatments better. We invite you to explore our rich resource of articles that could align with your interests and needs:

• What is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome? A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding PFPS
• What is Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction?
• Melbourne Podiatrist Accepts Medicare and Bulk Billing
• Sprained Ankle Treatment Melbourne
• Ingrown Toenail Treatment Melbourne
• Plantar Fasciitis Melbourne
• How a Podiatrist Can Help with Your Arthritis
• Shockwave for the Foot or Ankle?
• Heel Pain | Plantar Fasciitis
• Dealing with Ingrown Toenails?

Each article offers insights into different aspects of podiatry, including symptoms, treatments, and preventative measures, to empower you to make informed decisions about your foot and lower limb health.