The Laser Of Toe Evils

Painless treatment obliterates nail fungus without side effects

As Sandy Sibley can attest, there are few things in life that will make someone yearn for Florida more than a Northeast winter.

“I grew up in Florida, but life has a way of taking you to different places, and mine eventually took me to New Hampshire,” Sandy relates. “But the winters are tough there, so my ultimate goal was to get back to Florida. I finally made it back in 2001.”

Since her return, Sandy has staked a claim in real estate. She recently observed her 20th anniversary in the business. She also celebrated the disappearance of an unsightly fungus on the second toe of her right foot.

“This problem first crept up on me a little more than a year ago, and it was very puzzling because I’d never had anything like it before,” Sandy explains. “It didn’t hurt, but it didn’t look normal, so I decided sooner rather than later to get it taken care of.”

Deciding to care for the problem was one thing. Finding the right physician was another. 

Sandy eventually succeeded while thumbing through a copy of Florida Health Care News. That’s where she learned about Sarasota Foot and Ankle Center, the practice of Dawn Chiu, DPM, AACFAS, who has adopted PinPointe™ FootLaser® therapy as her “weapon of choice” in the battle against toenail fungus.

Sandy first saw Dr. Chiu about three months after discovering the fungus issue. Dr. Chiu confirmed Sandy’s suspicion that she had toenail fungus and recommended PinPointe FootLaser therapy.

Dr. Chiu explained why she prefers PinPointe therapy, telling Sandy that it effectively kills the underlying fungus without side effects and does not require a blood test prior to treatment.

“It’s an in-office treatment that lasts only a few minutes,” Dr. Chiu adds. “During that time, I pass the laser over the nail in a crisscross pattern to ensure full coverage. Patients usually feel a warmth on their toe during the treatment, but there’s no pain.”

Once the treatment is completed, patients are able to resume normal activities. When combined with topical ointments, the laser treatment has an 80 percent success rate, according to Dr. Chiu, who counts Sandy among her successes.

When Sandy began the therapy, her infected toenail appeared white and crusty. After six treatments, one every other month over a year, Sandy’s toenail looked “normal” again.

“The fungus is all gone,” Sandy confirms. “I would like to add that my experience with Dr. Chiu was a good one. The treatment was simple, straightforward and effective. Dr. Chiu is incredibly nice and very informative. 

“Her staff is exceptionally nice as well. I absolutely recommend them to anyone.” ■

© FHCN article by Roy Cummings

About Roy Cummings

Roy Cummings is a native of Chicago, Illinois who grew up in the suburb of Lombard. He and his family later moved to Lakeland, Florida, where Roy attended high school at Kathleen High. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communications in 1983 and immediately went to work for the Tampa Tribune. After five years working in a Polk County bureau covering everything from high school sports to college football to the Orlando Magic of the NBA, Roy moved back to Tampa and became the Tribune's first beat writer for the Tampa Bay Lightning, covering the team from its inception through the first eight years on the ice. He was then moved to the Buccaneers beat, where he stayed until the paper was folded in May, 2016. A two-time Florida Sports Writer of the Year, Roy has extensive experience covering all Tampa professional sports teams, including the Tampa Bay Rays.

 
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