Photodynamic therapy for Onychomycosis

What is photodynamic therapy?

Photodynamic therapy involves applying a light sensitive molecule or photosensitizer to a tissue which is then activated by a particular wavelength of light energy in order to kill abnormal or diseased cells.  It has been used to treat certain cancers or skin conditions, but it can also be used to treat onychomycosis or toenail fungus.

Toronto Podiatrist Sheldon Nadal, D.P.M.  is now using ClearToe therapy technology from ToeFx, to treat toenail fungus in his Toronto Foot clinic.

Procedure

• Debride nail to make it thinner so the ClearToe serum can penetrate.
• Clean nail of residue with 70% isopropyl alcohol
• Apply ClearToe serum to affected nails from preloaded applicator until nail is dark blue
• Wait 15 minutes to allow the ClearToe serum to penetrate the nail
• Shine the ClearToe L.E.D light (ToeFx light therapy device) for 15 minutes to activate the photosensitizer on the nail. It is a 660nm red light.
• Seal the dye with clear varnish
• The varnish is removed at home by the patient 2-3 days later

Depending on severity, 6-10 treatments are required. Each treatment is separated by a two-week interval. It is recommended that the patient receive maintenance treatments ever 6 weeks for 6 months.

How it works

                According to ToeFx, the photosensitizer ClearToe serum is activated by the L.E.D. light to form a short-lived excited state. The excited state molecule rapidly transforms energy to surrounding oxygen to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which selectively disrupts the fungus cells. The ROS are short-lived, and the reaction stops immediately upon deactivation of the light.

                According to ToeFx, no adverse reaction has been reported for ClearToe therapy. There remains the possibility of an adverse reaction in patients with glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) and patients with allergies/hypersensitivity to methylene blue or methyl methacrylate. Any reaction will likely be self-limiting and not serious in nature. If you experience a reaction, discontinue use and cleanse the area. Additional treatment is not necessary.

If you, or someone you care about suffers from yellow, brittle nails caused by nail fungus, please call the podiatrist office of Sheldon Nadal, D.P.M. at 416-486-9917 for a consultation to see if you would benefit from Photodynamic therapy or other antifungal treatments, including laser therapy and micro drilling technology.