Nail Fungus Sufferers: What Works And What Doesnt
Are you tired of suffering from stubborn and ugly nail infections? Do you long for letting your once beautiful toes see the sunlight again? Do you wonder what its going to take to get rid of the fungus?
Over the years weve had the opportunity to collect testimonials from people who left comments on ToenailFungusTreatments.com, who have used different types of nail fungus remedies. After analyzing them, weve created some useful suggestions for those who want to eliminate nail fungus.
Of course, nothing is ever 100% guaranteed, but if we can learn from others with similar problems, we have a better chance of crossing off one more problem we have from the list that seems to accumulate many problems as we age.
How Doctors Heal Patients
In fact, I was thinking about doctors and how they learn. I know that if you ask any doctor who he or she learned the most from, they will say their patients. In the practice of medicine, a doctor who pays the most attention to the results that their patients are receiving, and makes appropriate adjustments is often the most successful both with people and against disease.
Recognizing this feedback loop was very valuable, we started collecting reports on remedies from our readers and have been able to create some basic guidelines for anyone with nail fungus problems who wants to use these treatments to get clear nails again.
Guidelines From Our Readers about Nail Fungus Remedies
Ugly Toenail Transformed to Beautiful and Perfect
What Other Treatment Options Do You Recommend For Mild Cases Use Tiger Balm
Vicks Vaporub is a fantastic treatment option for someone suffering from the beginning stages of nail fungus. However, we highly recommend looking into Tiger Balm Ultra.
Tiger Balm utilizes similar ingredients, such as Camphor and Menthol, but has nearly twice the potency, meaning that it can treat your nail fungal infection in a more timely fashion.
If you already own Vicks Vaporub and have a very mild case of nail fungus, it is worth trying to treat your fungal infection with the topical treatment.
However, if you are searching for a more powerful formula, we highly recommend utilizing EmuaidMAX to treat your fungal infection.
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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Toenail Fungus Prescription Medications
Sometimes prescription medications are needed to treat a toenail infection that just wont go away with natural remedies or over-the-counter medication in a few months. In this case, prescription-strength antifungal medication can eradicate stubborn onychomycosis.
Topical medications often are effective in treating mild to moderate toenail fungus. Topical solutions may include medicated nail polishes or liquid medications. Loprox , Penlac , Kerydin , and Jublia are among the top prescription drugs for toenail fungus.
Oral medications can come in capsules, tablets, or liquid. Some common prescriptions are Diflucan , Lamisil , Onmel , and Sporanox .
Vicks Vapor Rub For Toenail Fungus Myth Or Miracle Cure
Is VICKS VapoRub for toenail fungus effective?
There our a lot of home remedies out there for curing toenail fungus, but a lot of them simply do not work. You have apple cider vinegar, Epsom salt baths, all the essential oils, etc.
VICKS Vaper Rub, which is really called the trademark name of VICKS VapoRub, is one of the many cheap treatment options out there that some people suggest But Does It Actually Work?
The answer is YES, at least to some extent… It definitely does have some potential as a treatment option as you will see. And… it’s easy to find in stores and it’s cheap, so of course this is something that a lot of people are going to be interested in, especially when you look at other treatment options which can get pretty darn expensive.
Some statistics say that around 10% of the population has at least some amount of toenail fungus and around 50% of people 70 years old and older have it. It’s a pretty crazy statistic and there is no doubt that toenail fungus is a big problem.
Much of the time it goes away on its own due to the body’s effective immune response, but sometimes it can get out of hand and requires serious attention. Of course you do not want that to happen so treating as soon as possible should be a priority.
Toenail Fungus Explained:
- Thickened nails
- Discoloration, usually whitish or yellowish
- Brittle fractured nails
- Darkened color from all the dead debris
- Bad smells and strange looks from onlookers
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How Fungi Infect The Nail
Onchomycosis, or toenail fungal infection, is an invasion by a microscopic organism that thrives in warm, damp environments. Fungal spores are in the air, and they will grow if they land on a receptive surface like your toenail. They feed off the nail tissues, burrowing into the skin under the nail. Over time the nail thickens and may lift off the nail bed as fungal debris accumulates. Once your nail is raised off the nail bed, it won’t reattach, and a new nail won’t grow from that part of the nail bed. However, your nail will continue to grow from the root at the base.
Consulting The Scientific Research
Itâs time to get science-y.
In 2011, an interesting study researching over-the-counter cures for toenail fungus was published. In this study, researchers used Vicks VapoRub against toenail fungus.
The first thing to note here is there are a few types of toenail fungus. Toenail fungus can be caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and non-dermatophyte molds.
However, the most common culprit of toenail fungus is the dermatophyte trichophyton rubrum, also known as T. rubrum.
In this study, researchers studied the following toenail fungus:
- T. mentagrophytes
- T. rubrum
- Candida parapsilosis
After 48 weeks, all patients with T. mentagrophytes or Candida parapsilosis toenail fungus went on to a âtotal cureâ.
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How To Apply Vicks Vaporub On Toenails
Because Vicks is not a conventional treatment for toenail fungus, there is no prescribed method about how to use it. However, conventional wisdom determines that Vicks should be applied to the nails and skin like any other topical cream after washing.
Trim your nails to keep them short. To cut your nails, use a good pair of toenail clippers. If you have hard, brittle toenails, use heavy duty toenail clippers.
Then follow the instructions below twice a day. However, it should be noted that some peoples skin is more sensitive to some analgesic formulas than others.
If you find applying Vicks VapoRub twice a day irritates, only use it once a day. You may also want to consult your doctor before using Vicks as a treatment for toenail fungus.
- Take a hot shower or bath. You can also soak your feet in a bowl of hot water.
- If you have hard skin, corns or calluses on your feet, shave away the top layer of dead skin with a pumice stone.
- File your nails down so that the salve can get into the gaps of the toenail bed.
- Rub the Vicks ointment over the entire surface of your toe and nail with your finger making sure the ointment gets to the skin down the side of your nails and underneath the toenail onto the nail bed.
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When To See A Doctor
In most cases, toenail fungus is considered a cosmetic problem. Still, it may cause serious complications for some people.
If you have diabetes, toenail fungus may lead to foot ulcers or other foot problems. According to a 2012 study, chronic toenail fungus is a significant risk factor for bacterial cellulitis of the leg.
If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, you shouldnt use home remedies for toenail fungus. Contact your doctor for the appropriate course of action.
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What Does Onychomycosis Look Like
Onychomycosislookas
. Keeping this in consideration, what does fingernail fungus look like?
Nail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. If your condition is mild and not bothering you, you may not need treatment.
Likewise, what is the best treatment for onychomycosis? The most commonly used oral drugs for treatment of onychomycosis is griseofulvin, terbinafine, itraconazole and ketoconazole. The disadvantages of oral antifungal agents are, they require a longer treatment period and they have more side effects, e.g. terbinafine .
Likewise, can onychomycosis go away on its own?
Fungal infections of the toenails â also known as onychomycosis â dont go away on their own, and if left untreated, the fungus will spread and can eventually destroy the nail.
What does toenail fungus look like in the early stages?
An early stage fungal toenail infection will show up with white lines or spots evident on the surface of the nail. The nails will become thick, more yellow, and brittle.
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Apply Vicks Vaporub To Your Nails
Apply the formula directly to the nails, nail bed, and skin surrounding it. We recommend using a cotton ball or q-tip.
Please do not use your hands you do not want to expose your fingernails to the infection and risk contaminating your hands or fingernails.
Wait upwards of 30 minutes and then wash off and dry nails completely.
If you experience a mild burning sensation, stop treatment immediately and consult your doctor.
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How Well Does Vicks Vaporub For Toenail Fungus Treatment
From times past, many people have successfully used Vicks VapoRub to treat toenail fungus while other people were not successful in using the treatment for their toenail fungus.
This is not alarming as some pretty costly over the counter prescription also does not work for everyone in treating toenail fungus. Also, when you consider that many people do take antifungal medicine for months without a positive change, it is not alarming. Even though they could get relief for a couple of months, the infection might return after a while
This point to the fact that toenail fungus comes in varieties. Another cause also might be the variables present in the carriers body such as the level of immune system and hygiene. Also, we suspect that these fungi pathogens come are many.
It might be surprising to know that some people also walk barefoot in the shower or gym. These sets of people, yet, do not get nail fungus while others will have a thick, ugly, yellowish-brown nail that might be difficult to clip.
This has puzzled researchers, and there are two speculations. Whether the immune system plays a vital role in helping against the toenail fungus, or there are different kinds of fungi.
The good news is that many people have successfully used Vicks VapoRub to treat toenail fungus. It, however, does not work for others. As a result, we cannot base its effectiveness on the success story of a couple of people.
Can Griseofulvin Cure Nail Fungus
Griseofulvin Griseofulvin Microsize This medication is used to treat fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails that do not respond to creams/lotions. will not treat a bacterial or viral infection such as the flu or a common cold. Griseofulvin also will not treat certain types of fungal infections, including yeast infections. It may take up several weeks before your symptoms improve. Nail infections can take several months to clear completely.
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When To See A Doctor About Toenail Fungus
If you are experiencing persistent toenail fungus or pain is present, you may need to see a specialist. A dermatologist or podiatrist may be able to assess your symptoms and send a small sample of the affected toenail or flesh to a laboratory to be analyzed as there are various types of fungi and yeasts that cause onychomycosis. Knowing the specific cause of your foot fungus can help identify what route to take to treat your condition.
Nail changes can also be caused by underlying conditions, like psoriasis and diabetes, so its important to seek professional medical advice if your condition persists or worsens. Bacterial and fungal infection of skin in diabetes patients often result in hospital admissions, and in severe cases, can result in amputations. If you are at a higher risk for infection, you should skip home remedies and seek professional medical treatment.
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Clean Socks And Shoes
Regularly changing your socks and shoes can also cut down on the growth of unwanted foot fungus. Both socks and athletic shoes can also be washed in hot water to rid the growth of yeasts and fungi that may be growing on the fabric. Some shoes can be machine dried. Drying shoes in the sun is another option when cleaning footwear.
Adding a half-cup of baking soda or one cup of vinegar to the washing machine can help eliminate bacteria or fungus on socks or shoes.
Boots and other footwear that are not machine washable could be wiped out with a vinegar and water solution or sprayed with an over-the-counter antifungal spray. Medicated powders are also helpful in treating shoes for foot fungus.
Allowing the feet to breathe by taking off shoes and socks when possible can prevent fungal growth. Protect your feet by wearing breathable footwear and clean socks. Antimicrobial socks and shoes made from bamboo, copper, or specialty fabrics are also available. They can help reduce unwanted bacteria and yeast from growing in your footwear.
A proactive approach to keeping your feet clean and dry can prevent the spread of toenail fungus. You can wash or soak feet with warm soapy water or a foot bath using everyday household items. Soaking your feet in an all-natural, homeopathic concoction can be beneficial in reducing or eliminating toenail fungus.
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Dr Gott: Here’s The Rub On Using Vicks For Nail Fungus
- DR. PETER GOTT, M.D. Newspaper Enterprise Association
Dear Dr. Gott: I am an avid reader of your column, primarily because you present so many remedies that do not advocate drugs for ordinary problems.
I am particularly interested in solving the problem of toenail fungus, and see that people have said that Vicks will help. Could you tell me exactly where you put the Vicks — on top of the nail, or under? Would it make any difference if the nail had polish? I imagine many women would like to know if nail polish interferes with the action of the Vicks. I usually keep my toenails polished so that the fungus is not apparent.
Dear Reader: Apply Vicks VapoRub to the nail, cuticle and surrounding tissue twice daily, rubbed in well, after having trimmed the infected nail as extensively as possible to reduce the “biomass” of the fun gus. You need not apply the Vicks under the nail, because there will, literally, be no “under the nail ” you have restricted that as much as possible.
Once you see normal nail growing out , continue to remove or trim infected nails, and apply the Vicks twice daily.
Although significant positive ef fects may take a year or more to appear , be patient. Keep telling yourself that 1) You have had nail fungus for years, so it may take years of therapy to cure it and 2) Vicks is so inexpensive that what have you got to lose?
Nonetheless, VapoRub does, unquestionably, in many people, provide a reasonable option for nail fungus that is safe and inexpensive.
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