What?

The Lacuna method is the term used for a fungal nail treatment involving the drilling of very small holes in the nail plate to aid the penetration of antifungal solutions to the infection at the nail bed.

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How?

It it is now understood that the active part of the fungal nail infection is actually on the nail bed (the skin beneath the nail) and not the nail itself. The nail plate acts as a barrier between the application of antifungal solutions purchased over the counter accessing this active portion of the infection.

Small holes drilled into the nail plate allow the antifungal solution to access the nail bed, therefore the active portion of infection. The pressure from footwear on the nail helps redistribute the treatment under the surface of the nail. This stops the fungus spreading and encourages the healthy nail to grow out, along with the holes. As with any antifungal treatment, this takes time, as the infection will clear only as fast as your toenails grow, which can take up to 18 months.

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Who?

People with a mild-moderate fungal nail infection - infection that doesn't reach past the cuticle, as antifungal solutions cannot access this portion of the nail.

Symptoms of a fungal nail infection include:

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• Nail thickening

• Nail discolouration - usually either white/dark/yellow

• Brittle nail texture

• Build up of debris under the nail

• White patches on the nail plate

• Lifting of the nail

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