Struggling with a fungal nail infection? Tried other antifungal treatments but are unhappy with the limited results? After seeing so many people struggling for years with ineffective creams and treatment options, we knew we had to bring a safe, effective and painless solution to Brisbane for even the most stubborn fungal nail infections. Introducing: PACT.

What Is PACT Fungal Treatment?

PACT stands for Photodynamic Antimicrobial Therapy. It’s an effective fungal nail treatment performed by your podiatrist and uses a high-powered LED light paired with a unique gel that is sensitive to the LED light. Together, they produce antifungal effects that kill the nail fungus (and fungal spores that spread the infection). Better yet, they do so without causing any damage or harm to the healthy nail or the surrounding skin. 

Research on PACT shows:

• Patients who were unresponsive to other standard treatments, including oral antifungals responded to PACT. This means even if you haven’t had success with other treatments in the past, PACT could get you the results you were missing.
  
• PACT achieved a 100% success rate in treating mild to moderate fungal nail infections and a 63.5% success rate for severe infections. These are significant when considering that some topical antifungal products (creams and lacquers) only achieve a 7% successful clearance rate. It is also a safer alternative option for those not wishing to take oral medication, which can be harsh on the body.
  

We offer PACT fungal nail treatment at our Newmarket and Brisbane City clinics. 

Benefits Of PACT Fungal Nail Treatment

PACT offers our patients much value and benefits beyond its great results:

• It is effective against a wide range of fungal species and has shown to be effective against fungal strains that are resistant to conventional antifungal drugs. This means you have a higher chance of success, even if you’re battling a tricky fungus or traditional treatments haven’t worked in the past.
  
• It is not invasive; it only involves the application of a photosensitising agent followed by exposure to light. This keeps you maximally comfortable and safe.
  
• It only targets the infected area instead of risking the tissues surrounding the nail.
  
• It has a lower risk of side effects compared to oral antifungal medications, meaning that it’s more suitable for a greater range of people. As it’s not a medication you ingest, there’s also no risk of drug interactions with other medicines that you’re taking.
  
• It leads to the rapid destruction of fungal cells, providing quicker relief from symptoms. This makes it good for even severe fungal infections.
  
• It is effective against a wide range of fungal species, making it a versatile treatment option for various types of fungal infections.
  
• It involves the physical destruction of fungal cells, which reduces the likelihood of resistance development compared to conventional antifungal drugs, which often face resistance issues.
  
• It can be combined with other antifungal treatments to enhance overall efficacy.
  
• It makes a genuine difference in improving our patients' quality of life (and comfort).
  

How Does PACT Work? 

While it may look like a laser, PACT uses phototherapy involving two components: a photosensitiser, and a light. The photosensitiser is a blue gel that binds to the wall of fungal cells, making them vulnerable to the PACT light. When the light is shone onto the photosensitiser (at a specific wavelength), it generates oxygen molecules that break down the cell wall of the fungal cells.

The PACT Process

Your PACT treatment with our podiatrists is designed to optimise your outcomes and set you up for success in preventing future reinfections.

1. Your first visit

Before starting any treatment, we perform a test to confirm that you have a fungal nail infection. This is because some nail conditions can have a similar appearance. Once your fungal infection is confirmed, your podiatrist will explain all of your available treatment options for toenail fungus. If PACT is your preferred treatment, your podiatrist will implement your treatment plan, which is usually 3 sessions spaced 1 week apart. 

Your podiatrist will then reduce the thickness of your toenails using a burr over the toenails, removing as much of the infected unhealthy fungal toenail as possible. You will also receive an information flyer and at-home preparation kit, which you must administer to your toenails before each PACT appointment.

2. Your three PACT sessions

You’ll have three PACT treatment sessions with us spaced one week apart.

• For 3-4 days prior to each PACT appointment, you apply the prescribed home preparation kit to every infected toenail. 
  
• Before starting, we’ll use a burr to remove any fungal nail tissue.
  
• Your nails will be prepped with PACT nail fungus gel for 10 minutes.  
  
• The PACT light will then be applied over each fungal nail for approximately 10 minutes to kill the fungus.  
  
• We’ll also zap your shoes with UV at each appointment to help prevent re-infection.
  
• Each PACT treatment consultation will take 30-40 minutes, so we recommend bringing a book or laptop with you to help pass the time. If a majority of your nails are infected this process may take longer. 
  

3. Review Appointment

Your review appointment will be scheduled 4-12 weeks following your last PACT treatment. Here, we will reassess your toenails to ensure the healthy nails are growing out. If any more treatments are needed, we’ll discuss them here. 

How many PACT treatments will I need?

The number of PACT treatments required will depend on the severity of your infection. As a guide, we may recommend the following:

Mild infection
3 x PACT sessions
1 -2 review sessions following your last PACT appointment, usually 3 and 6 months post-therapy.

Moderate infection
3 x PACT sessions
1 -2 review sessions following your last PACT appointment, usually 3 and 6 months post-therapy.
You may require a follow-up 1 x PACT session at the three or 6-month reviews. 

Severe infection

3 x PACT sessions
1 -2 review sessions following your last PACT appointment, usually 1, 2 and 6 months post-therapy.
You will likely require a follow-up 1 x PACT session at the three or 6-month reviews. 

FAQs

Visit one of our Brisbane Podiatry clinics

If you would like to talk to one of our team, visit us at one of two Brisbane based locations, CBD & Newmarket.

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Custom orthotics

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