PEDICARE SOLVES
Fungal nail infections
PEDICARE SOLVES
What are fungal nail infections?
Fungal nail infections are known medically as tinea unguium or onychomycosis. The infection is very persistent, so acting early is the key to clearing it completely. It is most often caused by dermatophytes and usually affects the big toenail. The first sign is a change in colour: the nail turns dull and yellowish-white or even brownish. The nail plate may also lift away from the nail bed, which is called onycholysis. Later, the whole nail plate thickens and becomes deformed, brittle and dull, and it breaks and flakes. The nail may also change its direction of growth.
A fungal infection usually spreads from the outer part of the nail towards the inner part and the nail root. The fungi use enzymes to break down keratin, the nail’s structural protein, and feed on it. Fungal infections are not just a cosmetic problem: the infection can spread to other toenails and fingernails, to the skin and other parts of the body, and to other people. It can also make wearing shoes and walking painful.
Top quality
We use state-of-the-art equipment from leading manufacturers for all our treatments.
Hygiene
All instruments and accessories are sterilised to the highest standards after every use.
Customer care
We keep written and photographic records for every client.
PEDICARE SOLVES
How we treat fungal nail infections at Pedicare
Fungi burrow deep into the nail, so home remedies usually cannot reach the infected part. This is how we treat it:
- Free check-up. We check whether it really is a fungal infection, as similar changes can also be caused by a nail injury. If needed, we take a nail sample for mycological testing.
- Mechanical treatment. We file down the affected part of the nail, remove as much of the infected part as possible and clean the nail grooves. This opens up the nail for further treatment.
- PACT MED photodynamic therapy. We apply a gel to the nail and illuminate it with a special light for a few minutes. The therapy is painless and has no side effects. For stubborn infections, we repeat the therapy. We decide on the number of sessions at the check-up. When several nails are infected, we also use cold plasma.
- Home care. We recommend a topical antifungal and measures to prevent re-infection.
If several nails are affected, the nail root is infected or you have diabetes, we also recommend seeing a dermatologist.
NEW AT PEDICARE
Cold plasma for fungal nails
Pedicare is the first in Slovenia to use the RUCK ViroCap cold plasma system. The treatment is painless and drug-free, and active treatment takes just 2 minutes per nail.
How does it work? The device creates cold plasma from the air at a temperature below 40 °C. This produces reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that penetrate the surface layers of the nail and reduce the number of fungi without damaging healthy cells.
What does it involve? We first clean and thin the infected nails. We then guide the plasma evenly over the nail surface through a single-use spacer. The programme consists of 6 treatments over 4 weeks: 2 a week in the first two weeks, then 1 a week in weeks three and four.
Cold plasma or PACT MED? Both methods work with reactive oxygen species. Cold plasma lets us treat several infected nails at once in a short time, while PACT MED treats one nail at a time. We will advise you which suits you best at your free check-up.
Why start in autumn? A toenail grows only 1.5 to 1.8 mm a month. If you start treatment now, a large part of the new nail will have grown by summer.
What do our customers think?
Frequently Asked Questions
You will be treated by our team, led by Tina Jordan, BSc in Podiatry and the first podiatry graduate in Slovenia. Your first check-up is free.
Fungal infections most often come from shared pools, spas, thermal baths and washrooms. Other sources include trying on shoes in shops, wearing other people’s shoes or slippers, passing it on between family members, and poor sock and shoe hygiene. People with a fungal foot infection leave fungal spores on the floor, and these spores remain infectious for several months. An infection you pick up can also stay dormant for years.
- excessive foot sweating
- nail injuries (especially from sport)
- diabetes
- a weakened immune system
- poor circulation
- orthopaedic foot problems
- fungal infections in the family
PACT MED is a photodynamic antimicrobial therapy. It has been used in modern medicine since 1990 to treat tumours, skin diseases and wound infections. In our centres we use it mainly to treat fungal nail infections. Before the therapy, we file down the nail and remove as much of the infected nail as possible. We then apply a gel to the nail, activate it with a special light and illuminate the nail for a few minutes. During this time, the gel makes the microorganisms sensitive and they die off quickly. The treatment is completely painless and has no side effects. With repeated sessions, we can also clear long-standing, very stubborn fungal infections.
No. The plasma is below 40 °C and causes no heat damage. A single-use spacer prevents direct contact between the device and your skin or nail.
The programme consists of 6 treatments over 4 weeks: 2 a week in the first two weeks, then 1 a week in weeks three and four. The full programme costs €300–500, depending on the number of infected nails. You will find out the exact price at your free check-up.
Treatment is not possible if there is a wound in the nail area. It is not suitable for children under 12.
- Keep your nails trimmed correctly. Use separate tools for infected and healthy nails. Rinse your tools under running water and disinfect them before and after use, and never share them with family members.
- Avoid injuring your nails.
- Wash your feet regularly and rinse the soap off your skin, including between your toes. Dry your nails and the spaces between your toes thoroughly after washing; a hairdryer can help.
- Change your socks regularly and wash them at over 60 °C. Choose socks made of natural materials such as cotton.
- If your feet sweat a lot, use a foot powder to absorb excess moisture.
- Wear suitable shoes with enough room for your toes. Choose breathable footwear made of natural materials. Dry damp shoes before wearing them and disinfect them regularly. If you spend most of the day in shoes, change them several times a day.
- Clean and disinfect your shower or bath regularly with products intended for surface disinfection.
- Avoid walking barefoot in public places such as thermal spas, pools, bathing areas, gyms and saunas. Wear plastic sliders, as they are easier to clean and dry thoroughly.