Vitalité Med Spa Offers Novel Treatment of Toenail Fungus with Noveon Laser and Thyroid Replacement
Robin Fleck, MD, founder and medical director of Vitalité Optimum Health and Beauty Med Spa in Fredericksburg, Texas has successfully treated toenail fungus with the Noveon laser after ensuring her patients are euthyroid.
FREDERICKSBURG, Texas, July 2, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Robin Fleck, MD, board certified in internal medicine and dermatology, medical director of Vitalité Med Spa in Fredericksburg, Texas, has found that toenail fungus can be cured in some cases by a combination of supplemental natural thyroid and treatment with the Noveon laser. The Noveon laser was introduced in 2014 after FDA approval. It offers two wavelengths which target fungal mitochondria and cell membranes, leading to disruption of fungal metabolism, without damaging human tissue.
Nail fungus infection occurs in up to 30% of adults over 50 years of age. While not life-threatening, it is a cause of significant embarrassment due to its cosmetic disfigurement, and in diabetics, can lead to serious complications. While conventional drug therapy is available for onychomycosis, it is generally ineffective, is fraught with significant cardiotoxic and hepatotoxic risk, and even if resolution occurs, the infection usually recurs once drug therapy is discontinued.
Toenail fungus begins with microtrauma to the nail bed, usually from repetitive contact with poorly fitting or occlusive footwear, leading to non-attachment of the nail plate. This problem is exacerbated if the patient is also thyroid insufficient. Most patients who develop toenail fungus are middle aged or elderly, coinciding with the typical decrease in thyroid hormone production at that age. Moisture under the distal nail plate results in the growth of mold (fungus) in susceptible individuals.
Patients with toenail fungus should be evaluated for thyroid function with a complete panel including T4, T3, free T4, free T3, and TSH, and marginally deficient patients should be treated with a natural porcine-derived thyroid supplement containing T4 and T3 for at least a month until their thyroid function improves before laser treatment begins.
Three or more treatments with the Noveon laser may be necessary while the nail is growing out. Ideally, treatments should be 2 weeks apart.
If results are not seen within 2-3 months, stem cell or platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections under the nail plate should result in recovery. This is sometimes necessary if the nail bed has been scarred or deformed from trauma or longstanding infection.
"Several patients have had complete cure of onychomycosis with this combination of Noveon laser and thyroid replacement," notes Dr. Fleck, "with no recurrence to date, as long as 2 years after their treatment ended."
Vitalité Med Spa also offers laser hair and tattoo removal, Active FX CO2 laser resurfacing, Vivace, Botox and Radiesse filler treatments.
Robin Fleck, M.D., is a double board certified dermatologist and internist, recognized by the American Board of Dermatology and the American Board of Internal Medicine. She is founder and medical director of Vitalite Optimum Health and Beauty Med Spa in Fredericksburg, Texas. Dr. Fleck is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American Venous Forum. She is also the author of Recipe for Beautiful Skin in six volumes.
SOURCE Vitalite Med Spa
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