Nail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is an embarrassing and frustrating condition that can be tricky to treat. If you’re looking for a fast, effective way to kill the fungus and restore your nails, using UV light is an option worth considering.<\/p>\n
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: It can take 3-9 months of consistent application of UV light for it to fully kill nail fungus<\/b>. The exact time varies based on the severity of the infection.<\/p>\n
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about using UV light as a treatment for nail fungus, including how it works, what factors impact the required treatment duration, safety precautions, at-home vs professional treatments, and more.<\/p>\n
Onychomycosis, also known as nail fungus, is a common fungal infection of the fingernails and toenails. It is caused by various species of fungi, such as dermatophytes, nondermatophyte molds, and yeasts.<\/p>\n
Nail fungus typically begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of the nail. As it progresses, the infected nail will become thickened, discolored, and brittle. It may separate from the nail bed and crumble.<\/p>\n
In advanced cases, the infection causes the nail to thicken and crumble so much that it becomes painful or impossible to trim.<\/p>\n
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 2-13% of the general population suffers from nail fungus. It is more common in older adults, affecting up to 30% of people over 60 years old.<\/p>\n
There are several factors that can increase the risk of developing nail fungus:<\/p>\n
The fungi thrive in warm, moist environments. Tight-fitting shoes and socks create favorable conditions for infection. Going barefoot in public areas also exposes feet to fungal spores. People with diabetes, circulation problems, and weakened immune systems are at higher risk.<\/p>\n
Treating nail fungus can be challenging for several reasons:<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the thickened nail can become a reservoir for fungus and bacterial infections. Topical antifungal treatments have difficulty penetrating the dense, hard nail plate. Oral antifungal pills may need to be taken for 12 weeks or longer to eradicate the stubborn fungi at the nail bed.<\/p>\n
Treating nail fungus requires patience and perseverance. Removing the diseased part of the nail, debridement, and prescription antifungal pills are often needed. Preventative measures like avoiding tight shoes, keeping feet clean and dry, and not sharing nail clippers reduce the risk of recurrence.<\/p>\n
UV light is able to penetrate through the hard keratin layers of an infected nail. The light waves can reach deep down into the nail bed and nail plate where the fungus resides.<\/p>\n
Once the UV light penetrates the nail, it targets the DNA and cell walls of the fungus. Fungi cells contain thymine, which absorbs UV radiation. The UV exposure causes thymine dimers to form within the cells and disrupts the DNA structure and replication process.<\/p>\n
With the DNA damaged and cell walls compromised, the fungus struggles to reproduce and spread. The germination of existing spores is halted. Mycelium, the vegetative parts, are no longer able to grow either. This essentially stops the infection in its tracks.<\/p>\n
Effective fungus-killing wavelengths fall into the ranges of 240-280 nm (UVC) and 315-400 nm (UVA). However, only nail lamps with UVC light are able to produce enough energy to achieve germicidal effects deep in the nail.<\/p>\n
According to American Family Physician, UV phototherapy treatments should be administered by a clinician twice per week, with each session lasting 10 to 15 minutes<\/b>. After just 1 to 2 months, the new clear nail growth is typically evident.<\/p>\n
It can take 9-12 months to completely replace an infected nail.<\/p>\n