Fungal Infection Therapy with Low Level Laser

Abstract

Methods for treating fungal infections of the hand or foot use applications of low level laser energy to the infected area to inhibit fungal growth. A laser device is used to produce one or more low-level laser beams, typically in the range of 400-800 nm emanated at a power of less than 1 watt. The laser light is scanned across the infected area for a predetermined duration. Preferably, the duration is between about 10 and 30 minutes, so that at least 0.5 joules of laser energy is applied. Preferably, about 10 joules of laser energy is applied. The application may be repeated, and is preferably repeated once, about five weeks after the first application. A topical medication, such as an antifungal cream, may be used in conjunction with the laser light to speed up fungal removal.

1 . A method of treating a fungally infected area of a person's skin or nail, the method comprising applying, to the infected area, a therapeutically effective amount of low-level laser energy to halt fungal cell reproduction. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the laser energy has a wavelength of between 400 and 800 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the laser energy is emitted by a plurality of laser energy sources. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the laser energy sources emit laser energy of the same wavelength. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the laser energy sources emit laser energy of at least two different wavelengths. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein at least one of the laser energy sources emits a first laser beam having a wavelength of 635 nm. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein at least one of the laser energy sources emits a second laser beam having a wavelength of 405 nm. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the laser energy sources each have a power of less than one watt. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the therapeutically effective amount of low-level laser energy is at least 0.5 joules per square centimeter. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the therapeutically effective amount of low-level laser energy is between 0.5 and 10 joules per square centimeter. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein applying the laser energy to the infected area comprises:
 a. shaping a first laser beam to generate a first substantially linear beam spot that impinges the infected area; and 
 b. sweeping the first substantially linear beam spot across the infected area. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the first laser beam has a wavelength of 635 nm. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein applying the laser energy to the infected area further comprises:
 a. shaping a second laser beam to generate a second substantially linear beam spot that impinges the infected area; and 
 b. sweeping the second substantially linear beam spot across the infected area. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the second laser beam has a wavelength of 405 nm. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the laser energy is applied for between 10 and 30 minutes. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising repeating the application of laser energy to the infected area at a predetermined interval. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the predetermined interval is 5 weeks. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising applying a topical medication to the infected area. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the topical medication is applied before the laser energy is applied. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the topical medication is photoreceptive. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the topical medication is applied after the laser energy is applied. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the topical medication is an antifungal medication.