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Health Watch: New Foot Fungus Laser

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A newly FDA approved treatment for the 40 million Americans who suffer with toe nail fungus.

The usual treatments of creams and medications always work, and some oral medications come with serious health risks, including liver damage. But now the FDA has approved a laser treatment that specifically targets nail fungus.

For many people, toe nail fungus is embarrassing, but for Susan Herbst it hurts.

"Especially if I wear a shoe with pressure, with a sock or a stocking would catch on it and it becomes uncomfortable," said Susan.

Nail fungus is an infection that thrives under a combination of darkness, heat and moisture.

Pedicures, a favorite for millions of people, especially women, can spread the fungus.
That causes nails to break and become thick and discolored.

Susan is having the Pinpointe FootLaser treatment. It uses heat, that you can't feel, to kill toe nail fungus. It's quick and pain free.

Studies show the treatment is up to 85 percent effective.

"You'll see improvement its just a question of how much its improved and what the patient is looking for," said Dr. John Cozzarelli, a Podiatrist.

The average cost for laser treatment is around a thousand dollars, plus follow up treatments. Insurance doesn't cover any of it. Susan says it's worth it.

"I hope that I can wear open toe shoes and have nice looking feet," said Susan.

But results aren't instant. You don't see any improvement from laser treatment until months later when the nail grows out.

Doctors say you should sterilize your shoes with an antibacterial spray to kill any fungus there, so it doesn't re-infect your feet.

Watch the video...

RELATED LINKS:

Pinpointe FootLaser

Find A Doctor Using the Laser

Reported By: Stephanie Stahl, CBS 3

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