PACT Fungal Nail Therapy in Forest Hill

PACT fungal nail therapy is a simple, safe and painless treatment we use for thick, yellow or white discoloured toenails infected with fungus (onychomycosis). It is a useful option for people who have found home treatments slow, difficult to apply or ineffective.

What is PACT fungal nail therapy?

PACT stands for Photodynamic Antimicrobial Therapy. It uses a special photosensitising gel and a high-powered LED light to selectively destroy fungal cells in the nail and nail bed.

The gel is applied to the affected nail and stains the fungal tissue. When exposed to the PACT light, the photosensitiser is activated and damages the cell wall of the fungus. Normal skin and nail cells are not affected because they have a different type of cell membrane that the photosensitiser cannot penetrate.

Why consider PACT instead of other treatments?

Treating fungal toenails can be frustrating. Many people have already tried topical paints, nail lacquers or home remedies that require daily application for months, or have been prescribed oral medications that are not suitable because of potential side effects or interactions with other medicines.

PACT fungal nail therapy offers several advantages:

• Painless: The treatment uses a low, harmless wavelength of light and does not generate the heat associated with some laser therapies.
• Cost-effective: It can reduce the need for long-term use of expensive antifungal nail paints or polishes.
• Treats the source: The photosensitiser and light reach the nail bed, where the fungus usually resides, rather than just acting on the surface of the nail plate.
• No drug interactions: PACT is a local treatment and does not carry the systemic risks associated with some oral antifungal medications.

How many PACT treatments are required?

The number of treatments depends on how severe and long-standing the infection is. Because toenails grow slowly, a short course is rarely enough. As a guide, we usually recommend a minimum of five treatments over a three-month period.

A typical PACT treatment schedule

• Pre-treatment of the infected nail for around 10 days with a high-concentration urea cream to reduce nail thickness and improve penetration.
• Application of the photosensitising gel to the affected nail or nails.
• Application of the PACT light source for approximately 9–10 minutes per session.
• This process is repeated three times in the first week.
• Single follow-up treatments at about four weeks and six weeks after the initial course, depending on the response and severity.

A typical visit takes around 25 minutes, including preparation and treatment time.

Preventing reinfection

Preventing reinfection is critical to the success of any fungal nail treatment. We will discuss a home care plan, which may include:

• Using an antifungal nail serum such as Spirularin to help protect and repair the nail between visits.
• Applying an antifungal cream or spray to the skin of the feet to reduce fungal load.
• Washing socks, hosiery and removable shoe insoles in a hot wash with an antifungal additive.
• Regularly disinfecting the shower floor and bathroom surfaces.
• Drying feet thoroughly after bathing, especially between the toes.
• Not sharing nail clippers or files.
• Wearing thongs in public showers and around swimming pools.

These steps help reduce the chance of the fungus re-establishing on the skin or in the nails once treatment has started.

Book a PACT fungal nail assessment

If you have thick, discoloured or crumbly toenails and suspect a fungal infection, PACT fungal nail therapy may be one of the treatment options to consider. We will assess your nails, discuss the likely diagnosis and outline whether PACT is appropriate in your case.

You can book an appointment online or call the clinic to arrange a suitable time.

Lefort Podiatry provides PACT fungal nail therapy for patients from Forest Hill and surrounding suburbs including Blackburn, Blackburn South, Nunawading, Mitcham and Vermont South.