Onychomycosis commonly known as toenail fungus is a fungal infection of the nail bed and nail plate. It causes nails to become thickened discoloured brittle and distorted. Without treatment it is persistent contagious and spreads to other nails.
If these symptoms are affecting your daily movement, your body is telling you something. You do not have to keep working around it - the sooner you get an accurate answer, the sooner you can start moving freely again.
A focused evaluation helps determine which factor is driving your symptoms and what treatment path makes sense next.
most common cause of toenail fungus
warm moist environments breed fungi
direct transmission between people
common progression of untreated foot fungus
creates an entry point for fungal infection
common in diabetics and elderly reduces immune response
Dr. Lazarus focuses on identifying the root cause and matching treatment to the condition, not forcing every patient into the same routine.
Class 4 laser passes through the nail and destroys the fungal infection at the nail bed level without damaging surrounding tissue. No oral medication no side effects no liver risk.
80 to 90 percent clearance rate with complete treatment course
For severely damaged nails cosmetic nail reconstruction restores a natural-looking nail appearance during the regrowth period following laser treatment.
Aesthetically normal nail appearance during the regrowth period
Dr. Lazarus provides a comprehensive antifungal protocol including topical treatments footwear guidance and environmental precautions to prevent reinfection after laser treatment.
Significantly reduces risk of reinfection after clearance
No generic treatment plan. No guesswork. Just a clearer path forward.
Book Your Consultation
Dr. Lazarus combines advanced treatment technology with focused podiatric expertise, helping patients understand what is actually happening and what can be done about it.
Laser treatment has comparable or better clearance rates to oral antifungals without the side effects including liver toxicity risk drug interactions and months of daily medication. For diabetics and patients with liver conditions laser is often the preferred and safer option.
Most patients require 3 to 4 laser sessions spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart. Complete nail clearance takes 9 to 12 months as the treated nail grows out and is replaced by clear healthy nail.
Treatment for nail fungus is typically considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance. However for diabetic patients treatment is medically necessary and may be covered. Our team will check your specific coverage.
Laser treatment eliminates the existing infection. Reinfection from environmental sources is possible without proper precautions. Dr. Lazarus provides a complete prevention protocol to minimize reinfection risk after treatment.
Yes. Nail fungus can spread to other toes to the skin causing athlete's foot and to other people through shared footwear socks or nail tools. Treatment is important for both aesthetic and health reasons.
Most patients experience only a mild warming sensation during treatment. No anaesthesia is required. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes for all affected nails and you can resume normal activities immediately afterward.
Still have questions about your specific situation?
Talk to Dr. Lazarus's TeamSchedule your consultation with Dr. Sean Lazarus and get a treatment plan built around what is actually happening in your foot or ankle.
764 Campbell Ave, West Haven CT 06516 · Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM