Side Effects Of Toenail Fungus Medication
One of the many benefits of using a homeopathic remedy is that there are little to no adverse side effects. Topical treatments often prescribed to treat toenail fungus can potentially burn or blister the skin. Oral medications for treating onychomycosis can cause liver or gastrointestinal damage. Be sure to read your medications list of potential side effects. Consult your pharmacist, physician, or specialist if you are concerned about side effects of prescription drugs.
Pros And Cons Of Vicks Vaporub For Toenail Fungus
It does seem that a number of people have found some relief from this difficult problem by using Vicks. On the plus side, it has minimal side effects relative to the traditional treatment methods and is a product that is both easy to find and inexpensive to buy.
However, Vicks has been shown to be ineffective for the majority of people even when used for extended periods of time and the longer you use any treatment, the more costly it becomes. Some individuals have found that it irritates the skin surrounding the nail and are bothered by the strong smell. It seems that even in the best of circumstances, treating toenail fungus with Vicks is just a temporary stop gap as the infection generally returns once the treatment has been stopped. The bottom line is that like all home remedies, it is wise to proceed with a healthy dose of caution and a little bit of common sense when considering Vicks Vapor Rub for the treatment of toenail fungus.
Visit our main website to get a broader and deeper picture about the different treatments available to get rid of toenail fungus fast.
Types Of Treatment Available For Fungal Toenail Infection
Three types of treatment are currently available. The first is surgical removal of the nail and the underlying fungus. This treatment is proven to be effective but can be expensive and painful.
The second is oral medication . Oral remedies are not always effective, and they carry the possible side effect of serious liver damage.
The third is topical medications and substances for treating toenail fungus. This is the least invasive treatment option and probably the safest. Some of these topical products have been found more effective than others, and they might work on different pathogens of fungus. Some people have found success with topical treatment applied consistently over time.
Some topical treatments are over-the-counter medications that can be applied to the affected toenail after properly preparing the area by trimming, cleaning, soaking and drying the toenails and surrounding skin.
There are also several natural remedies that have enjoyed considerable success in treating cases of toenail fungus when administered faithfully. One of the most popular natural treatments is Vicks VapoRub.
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The Facts About Vicks Vaporub For Toenail Fungus
The truth of the matter is, toe nail fungus is extremely difficult to treat and even the best treatments have less than stellar results, particularly when the infection is severe. Research has shown that the best likelihood of obtaining a cure is to begin treatment very early and at the first signs of infection.
There are currently two types of treatment approved by the FDA for treating fungal nail infections: oral and topical. The traditional option that has shown the best success rate is Lamisil, an oral prescription medication. It has about a 50% cure rate, but it also has unpleasant and potentially serious side effects. Permanent liver damage is one such side effect. Prescription medications must also be used for extended periods of time and often interferes with other commonly used medications, such as antibiotics and antidepressants.
Compared to prescription medications, Vicks is even less promising as a cure despite treatment that can last over a year. Several studies have been conducted in an attempt to ascertain the effectiveness of Vicks Vaporub for toenail fungus. The results revealed that when Vicks was applied to the infected area on a daily basis, 65% of the participants said it was ineffective. It also seems that once you quit using the Vicks treatment, the infection is very likely to return.
Home Remedies For Fungal Toenail Infections
Many people have described success with treating fungal infections with natural ingredients such as white vinegar, cinnamon oil, and/or tea tree oil .
Perhaps the most popular home remedy for fungal toenail infections is Vicks VapoRub. As with any home remedy, the key to success seems to be persistence. Twice daily treatment, morning and night, is necessary for continued success.
One advantage of self-treating with natural ingredients is the comparatively low cost. Vicks VapoRub may be the most economical treatment available for long-term usage in controlling fungal toenail infections.
But certainly, the cost is not the most important consideration. One attractive aspect of Vicks treatment is the absence of side effects and/or potentially dangerous complications.
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How Does Vicks Vapor Rub Help Toenail Fungus
In one study, scientists tested the antifungal effects of the ingredients in a generic medicated chest rub. Of the seven ingredients, thymol was among the most effective at inhibiting the growth of dermatophytes that cause nail fungus.
How Can You Tell If Toenail Fungus Is Getting Better
Nail fungus can be resistant to treatment and nails take a long time to grow out, so it can take several weeks or months for an infection to be fully resolved. You will know that the treatment is working and the infection is clearing up when you see growth of a new, healthy nail from the base of the nail bed.
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For Moderate To Severe Cases Of Fungal Infections Use Emuaidmax
If you have a moderate to severe fungal infection, your best bet is to utilize a topical solution such as EmuaidMAX. We are huge fans of EmuaidMAX because it utilizes medical grade essential oils such as Tea Tree Oil, Camphor, Castor Oil, Vitamin E, and more.
In fact, it shares many of the same ingredients are Vicks Vaporub but in a significantly more concentrated and powerful form. It is one of our top recommended products on this site, and we seriously recommend considering it to treat your fungal infection.
In short, if you have a mild case of nail fungus, you may be able to get away with using Vicks Vaporub. However, if you have a moderate to severe case of nail fungus, or even if you are just worried about your fungal infection spreading, we highly recommend utilizing EmuaidMAX.
What Did The New York Times Article Say
Researchers have been studying the effects of the herb, thyme, on curing toenail fungusa condition that, while not normally harmful, eats up an expectedly large portion of Americans medical bills every year. Over-the-counter medications for eliminating nail fungus are plagued with drawbacks: Theyre expensive, dont have great results, and have a whole slew of side effects. Heres what The New York Times had to say in 2009 about the research surrounding the use of herbal remedies such as thyme to treat dermatophytesa common type of fungi that humans contract from contact with other humans, animals, and soil.
In one study, scientists tested the antifungal effects of the ingredients in a generic medicated chest rub. Of the seven ingredients, thymol was among the most effective at inhibiting the growth of dermatophytes that cause nail fungus. Other studies in animals have also shown thymol oil to be effective against dermatophytes. And studies have also shown that thymol oil destroys another cause of nail fungus, Candida, by disrupting its cell membranes and metabolism.
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Why Does It Work A Look At The Ingredients
In order to answer the question of why does VICKS work?… we first need to take a look at the ingredients it contains.
It has some proof of working, so what it is exactly that makes it effective?
The ingredients included in the normal VICKS VapoRub include the following:
Active Ingredients
- Used commonly for pain relief, anti-irritant, against coughs, and yes… even as an antifungal.
- Reduces pain and swelling and increases blood flow when applied topically.
- 2014 study published in the journal Biological Research shows it does indeed have antifungal activity, although not particularly when dealing with toenail fungus. It has been shown to inhibit growth of fungi better than other essential oils.
Inactive Ingredients
- Turpentine oil
How To Use Vicks To Treat & Cure Toenail Fungus Fast Easy Remedy
Youre probably more aware of Vicks VapoRub being an age-old ointment that people use to supress coughs and clear their airways. You won’t find instructions on how to use Vicks your toenail fungus, because the Vicks manufacturers didnt intend for their product to be used in that way.
Still, a 2003 study found that the key ingredients in Vicks–camphor, eucalyptus oil and mentholcould be effective in controlling toenail fungus when combined in one formula.
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How To Use It
Apply mentholated ointment directly to the affected nail. Do this about once a day for several weeks or until the nail shows noticeable improvements.
Vinegar is a common household product found in cooking and some home cleaning solutions. Though no clinical evidence exists to date, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that vinegar is an effective tool to help treat toenail fungus.
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Is There Any Real Proof That It Works
Let’s get right to the point here… is there any proof that this stuff actually works? Because I’m sure a lot of people reading this have wasted a lot of time, patience and money trying things that simply turn out to be complete duds.
Does it really work?
Well… when it comes to the effectiveness of VICK’s specifically dealing with nail fungus, there unfortunately isn’t much research out there. That said, there is some…
A study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine in 2011 took a look at the effects of VICKS on 18 patients who were suffering from onychomycosis over a period of 48 weeks .
The results were measured in 3 ways. They measured its effectiveness as a cure both mycologically and clinically, as well as on a personal assessment by the patients themselves.
The results: 15 of the 18 patients, or a whopping 83%, showed positive effects. And… 5 of the patients, or 27.8%, had been cured based on mycological and clinical results after the 48 weeks were up. 10 patients, or 55.6%, had infections that cleared up partially and only 3 had no change.
All in all… pretty good results.
Lack of proof?
As stated, there really isn’t much information and research out there specifically on VICKS VapoRub’s effectiveness when it comes to this.
The study mentioned above definitely proves some effectiveness and has some positives, however there has been some criticism as to the way this study was conducted, which might make it carry a little less weight.
Scoop Out Some Vicks With A Spoon
Use a spoon to scoop out a small amount of Vicks. Its important to use your spoon and not your applicator, as it would be unhygienic to use, say, a cotton ball to apply the Vicks to your toenail, then re-dip it in the Vicks for a second helping.
Remember also that touching your toenail directly is a bad idea.
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Vicks Vapor Rub Toe Nail Fungus
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Possible Complications Of Untreated Onychomycosis
Not only can nails be badly deformed or even lost due to neglected fungal infection, but the infection can also spread to other fingers, toes, or various body parts. The pathological infection can be spread to people in close contact with the infected person.
An untreated fungal infection may lead to a bacterial infection of the soft tissue surrounding the nails. The medical word for this is paronychia. Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth are symptoms of bacterial infection in the skin and tissue surrounding infected nails.
Untreated paronychia can lead to cellulitis, a painful condition that is difficult to cure. Strong antibiotics may be the only cure to cellulitis, and often they must be administered intravenously.
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Mayo Clinic Q And A: Treatment For Toenail Fungus Isnt Always Necessary
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am in my late 50s, and a few of my toenails have turned a yellowish color and seem to have thickened. Is this something I should be concerned about? Is there anything I can do to fix this?
ANSWER: What youre likely experiencing is a fungal nail infection. Fungal nail infections are common, especially among older adults. As nail growth slows with age, its easier for fungus to establish in the nail bed. Treatments are available, although they may take some vigilance and are not always necessary.
Toenail fungus usually is caused by a microscopic organism called dermatophyte fungus. It often begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail. But as the infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. These fungal infections are more likely to happen in your toenails than in your fingernails because toenails often are confined in a dark, warm, moist environment, where fungi can thrive. Toes also have less blood flow than fingers, making it harder for your bodys immune system to detect and stop the infection. But it is possible for fingernails to be affected.
The older you are, the more likely you are to get toenailfungus. Thats because as you age, your immune system changes. Inaddition, your nails become more brittle and drier over time, creating morecracks where fungus can live.
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Healing Rough Skin On Your Heels
Dermatologists recommend petroleum jelly as a moisturizer, especially when used on damp skin, because it keeps moisture from evaporating.
That may explain why some people have found Vicks VapoRub helpful for healing rough skin on the feet and heels.
But more research is needed to support the anecdotal claims about its usefulness as a treatment for dry, calloused skin on the feet.
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What Is Vicks Vaporub
All this talk about Vicks VapoRub, but what actually is this stuff in the first place?
In short: Vicks VapoRub is a #1 selling branded children and adult cough cold product. Well… That is the main use of it anyhow. However, this Proctor & Gamble Company product is a very versatile and also is commonly used for pain relief when applied topically to aching muscles and joints.
Using it as a way to treat toenail fungus is much lesser-known, but nonetheless is something that people are using it for and finding some success with.
And one of the many good things about it is that you can trust it. There are plenty of toenail fungus treatment “scammy” products that have been exposed on this site, like Fungus Hack for example, and VICKS is definitely not one of them.
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