Best Fungal Nail Treatments – What Actually Works?

Best Fungal Nail Treatments – What Actually Works?

Fungal nails can be stubborn — and treating them without the right method often leads to frustration. At Podiatry Medic, we treat fungal nails using a combination of medical-grade laser therapy and prescription-strength lacquers, depending on the severity of the infection.

But which treatment is actually the best?

1. Antifungal Lacquers

Pros:

• Easy to access

• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Often ineffective for deep infections

• Requires long-term, daily use

• Can take 12–18 months with low success rates

2. Oral Antifungal Tablets (e.g., Terbinafine)

Pros:

• Higher success rate than creams

• Treats internal infection

Cons:

• Can affect liver function

• Requires GP prescription

• Risk of side effects

• 3-6 months of daily oral tablets

3. Laser Therapy (Our Specialty)

Pros:

• Targets the fungus with precision

• Painless and safe

• No downtime or side effects

• Stimulates healthy new nail growth

• Excellent success rate when paired with hygiene advice

Cons:

• Not publicly funded (private treatment)

• Requires a series of treatments

Our Recommendation:

For most patients, our FDA laser therapy + daily topical lacquer is the gold standard — it offers visible improvement and long-term results without the need for medication.

We offer laser fungal nail packages in Queenstown.

Book your first session and start your journey to clear, healthy nails.