How To Get Rid Of Nail Fungus At Home

What Are Common Side Effects Of Toenail Fungus Medication

Topical medications often prescribed to treat toenail fungus can potentially irritate the skin. Itchy, peeling, red flesh and blisters may also occur with many topicals. Consult your doctor if your medication is causing an unwanted skin reaction.

Liver damage is one of the most concerning side effects of some toenail fungus medications. Due to the nature of onychomycosis, many of the medications need to be taken for long periods of time to completely resolve nail fungus. Gastrointestinal issues, dizziness, and trouble breathing are also listed as potential side effects. In addition, if the individual treating the toenail fungus suffers from heart conditions, the medication could interfere with heart health.

How Can I Treat Psoriasis Naturally

If youre looking for organic remedies to use in addition to medications, there are many different natural treatments out there for psoriasis.

There are a few different things that may be triggering your psoriasis, which is a great place to start with natural treatment. Identifying and avoiding these triggers can help prevent a flare-up from occurring in the first place and increase quality of life. Triggers for psoriasis can include illness, stress, smoking, and injuries to the skin.

Aside from avoiding triggers, there are many other natural methods for the management of psoriasis. Below are a few different home remedies for psoriasis. Make sure to consult a doctor before trying any of the following remedies.

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.

Also Check: How To Get Fungus Off Toenails

How Is Athlete’s Foot Diagnosed

How do you know if you have athlete’s foot? Since the symptoms of athlete’s foot are often visible, it’s easy to diagnose on sight. Your healthcare provider will perform a visual examination and ask questions about your medical history, mainly to determine if you’ve had a similar fungal or bacterial infection before.

He or she will likely look for the hallmark signs of a fungal skin infection. Athletes foot “can come in a variety of forms, but it usually looks like a flat, scaly, red rash on the outside or inside of your feet, or between your toes. This can often be seen with what looks like dry skin, especially if it’s interdigital,” according to Daniel Paull, MD, founder, and CEO of Easy Orthopedics. In less obvious cases, Dr. Paull says, your doctor might “scrape some of the skin from your foot, prepare it with potassium hydroxide, and put it under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis.”

Is It Nail Fungus Or Something Else

While a trained professional is the best source of diagnosing conditions, you can get a general idea of what type of situation you have based on the symptoms. Start by looking at your nails and nail bed.

If its a fungal infection, you might see yellow streaks. You might notice pieces of skin and fragments of the nail under the nail. The nail may be discolored and might . The nail itself might be brittle, broken, or thickened.

Several common nail conditions are commonly mistaken for nail fungus, however.

Because other problems share characteristics with fungal infections, your best bet is to consult a doctor to make sure it IS a toenail fungus infection and not something more serious.

The following are nail conditions that have similar symptoms to nail fungus.

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What Is The Best Oral Medication For Psoriasis

The best medication for you will depend on your medical history, other medications, and information your doctor can provide you with. Each person is different and each medication that is the best for someone will also differ. Consult your healthcare professional to find the best oral medication for your psoriasis.

Leather Shoes To Treat Toenail Fungus

You should avoid wearing shoes completely if you have toenail fungus. But if it is unavoidable, prefer wearing leather shoes. Leather allows the air to pass with no trouble. Whereas shoes made up of plastic or rubber, prevent the air from moving freely. This tends to create a moist environment inside your shoes, resulting in sweaty feet, encouraging fungal infection.

Suggestions:

• Try to avoid wearing shoes for a long time and also tie them a little loose.
• In addition, keep 2-3 pair of shoes with you to wear them alternatively.
• Wearing shoes alternatively will give them time to dry and prevent toenail fungus.

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Soak Your Feet In Vinegar

Heres another pantry item that can deliver optimal results for toenail fungal infections. According to Hayag, applying white vinegar to the fungal-infected areas can prove worthwhile, thanks to its antibacterial properties.

Similar to oregano oil, applying white vinegar topically on fungus-infected toenails has some anecdotal evidence that supports its antibacterial benefits. Soak your foot in one part vinegar to two parts warm water for up to 20 minutes daily, she suggests, saying that this can help with the fungus, help with just the discoloration, or it may not help at all, depending on how your toes react.

Toenail Fungus And Diabetes

Toenail fungus is about twice as common in people with diabetesin fact, one in three people with diabetes have had it. Because diabetes causes nerve damage in the feet, a person may not notice the symptoms of toenail fungus and accidentally cause further damage or infection. Gone untreated, toenail fungus increases the risk of amputation.

Recommended Reading: What To Do About Toe Nail Fungus

What Is The Best Medication For Toenail Fungus

Below is a list of the most recommended prescription treatment for toenail fungus.

Dosage is determined by your doctor based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and age. Other possible side effects exist. This is not a complete list. A very rare side effect can be trouble breathing if this occurs, seek immediate emergency medical attention.

Nail Fungus And Acrylic Nails

Acrylic nails are plastic nails that are applied over your natural nails. While they are not particularly dangerous, frequent application of these chemicals can cause an allergic reaction or damage your nails. This increases the risk of a fungal infection. It can be difficult to notice as the acrylic nails will cover the evidence, allowing the fungus to thrive in a moist and dark place.

If you are prone to fungal infection, it may be best to avoid false nails in general.

Before We Start . . .

Be sure to consult a doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you have a preexisting health condition .

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What Is The Best Home Remedy For Athlete’s Foot

Most mild cases of athlete’s foot don’t require a trip to the doctor or medicationyou might be able to take care of it from home. If you begin to notice the signs of an infection, you can try one of these remedies before visiting a healthcare provider:

• Hydrogen peroxide: You might have used hydrogen peroxide to clear bacteria from a cut or scrape, and it works the same way for fungi. It can also help prevent bacterial infection of any sores or blisters.
• Garlic: Garlic has antimicrobial properties that can be effective in treating fungal infections. You can rub crushed cloves directly on the affected area or take an oral dose of ajoene, the chemical found in garlic.
• Tea tree oil: Applied directly to the feet, tea tree oil can help relieve athlete’s foot symptoms.
• Talcum powder: The main benefit of talcum powder is keeping your feet cool and dry, inhibiting the growth and spread of fungal cells. It’s best used as a supplement to other forms of treatment.
• Epsom salt: Prepare a foot soak with some Epsom salt and it may help draw out the moisture that fungi love so much. Plus it feels great on your feet.
• Baking soda: Another foot soak ingredient, baking soda has antifungal properties that can help combat athlete’s foot.
• Apple cider vinegar: Vinegars acidity can effectively kill fungus, and if you use it in a foot bath, it may help relieve itching as well.

How To Make A Vinegar Foot Soak

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Heres our process.

Overview

We demand a lot from our feet. They carry our bodies around all day, often from within uncomfortable shoes. Its no wonder many of us end up with blisters, pain, odor, and fungus, like athletes foot.

Fortunately, theres a simple solution to your woes, and it can be found in your kitchen.

Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Toe Fungus Forever

How Do Dermatologists Treat A Fungal Nail Infection

Treatment usually begins with your dermatologist trimming your infected nail, cutting back each infected nail to the place where it attaches to your finger or toe. Your dermatologist may also scrape away debris under the nail. This helps get rid of some fungus.

To completely get rid of the infection, most people also need one or more of the following treatments:

Medicine you apply to the nail: If you have a mild infection, a medicine that you apply to your nails may get rid of the infection. This treatment helps keep new fungus out while the nails grow. Fingernails typically grow out in four to six months. Toenails take longer, usually takes 12 to 18 months.

Probably the most difficult part of this treatment is remembering to use it as often as prescribed. Some treatments must be applied every day. Others you apply once a week. To get the best results, its essential that you apply these medicines exactly as directed.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the following medicines that you apply to the nail to treat nail fungus:

• Amorolfine

• Efinaconazole

• Tavaborole

Side effects from these medicines are generally mild. Possible side effects include redness and swelling, an ingrown toenail, and stinging or burning when you apply the medicine. In clinical trials, none of these side effects caused patients to stop using the treatment.

The FDA has approved the following systemic medicines to treat nail fungus:

• Fluconazole

• Itraconazole

• Terbinafine

What Worked For You

This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

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How To Treat Nail Fungus

Topical antifungal creams, oral antifungal prescriptions, and, in severe cases, removal of the nail. However, these medications and procedures can have serious side effects including pain, fever, diarrhea, fatigue, swelling, difficulty breathing, weight gain, liver damage, heart problems, and more.

Hoping to avoid health consequences, more and more patients are looking for ways to treat their nail fungus naturally at home.

Remedies And Treatments For Toenail Fungus

Over-the-Counter Antifungals

Antifungal remedies help to stop the growth of the fungus. Over-the-counter options do not claim to cure toenail fungus, but they can help to improve the look of the affected nail. These products do not work as well as prescription medications. To cure toenail fungus, a remedy has to penetrate the nail and nail bed. Most over-the-counter remedies for nail fungus are topical and do not penetrate deeply enough.

Trim, Buff, and Thin the Affected Nail

Keeping your nails trim, buffed, and clean helps to prevent the spread of the fungus to other nails. Additionally, buffing the nail can allow topical antifungals to penetrate more deeply. Make sure to wash your hands promptly after touching the affected nail, especially before touching other nails.

Vicks VapoRub

Vicks VapoRub is a product marketed for people with coughs. However, it may also be effective against toenail fungus. One small study showed that after applying it topically each day for 48 weeks, 27.8% of participants fully cured their nail fungus â and 55.6% of participants saw partial improvement. However, more study is needed.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil comes from the Australian tea tree. It is an essential oil traditionally used as an antibacterial and antifungal treatment. Early research shows that it may help with nail fungus when used topically. However, more research is needed. If you do use tea tree oil for toenail fungus, only use it topically.

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Factors That Increase The Risk Of Nail Fungus

• Wearing tight shoes all day. Sandals are better try to wear them when you can.
• Playing a lot of sports. Long-distance running or any other endurance sport can make your feet very sweaty. Remaining in that state for a long period of time puts you at high risk.
• Not changing your socks frequently enough. Socks can absorb moisture and create a breeding ground for fungus.
• Athletes foot. The fungus that causes this condition can spread to your nails.
• A humid environment. This makes it easy for you to develop fungus on both your fingernails and toenails.
• Damage to the nail particularly if it occurs regularly. Wounds are especially prone to infection.
• Going barefoot in communal areas. In places such as locker rooms and around swimming pools, its better to wear flip-flops.
• Using artificial nails. They can cause an allergic reaction or wear down the nails, making them more vulnerable.

Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is the proper term for nail fungus. Common symptoms are thickened, brittle, and discolored nails.

What Is Toenail Fungus Exactly

Toenail fungus happens when tiny microscopic organisms called fungi get underneath your toenails, causing an infection, according the American Academy of Dermatology .

Not-so-fun fact: The same fungus that causes jock itch and athletes foot can also cause toenail fungus, which can infect your nails and the skin underneath, says Gary Goldenberg, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.

Depending on the type of fungus youre dealing with, an infection can cause a slew of unpleasant symptoms, including:

• Nail discoloration
• Debris buildup underneath the nail
• Lifting of the nail from the skin
• Nail thickening or crumbling
• Nail thinning or splitting

Toenail fungus is highly contagious and, if you have a fungal infection on your foot, the fungus can spread to one or more of your nails.

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What Are Common Side Effects Of Athlete’s Foot Medicine

Of course, there’s always a chance of side effects. The silver lining is that, because most athlete’s foot medications are topical, these side effects are often localized to the area of application. Adverse effects like a worsening of tinea pedis symptoms and skin irritations such as the following can occur:

• Redness

• Dizziness
• Fatigue

In rare cases, Nizoral can cause liver damage and Sporanox can cause heart failure. These are the most extreme cases, but the risk still exists, so doctors typically only prescribe these medications after other options have proven ineffective.

This isn’t a comprehensive list, and side effects can vary depending on the medication as well as your condition, health, and history. Ask your doctor about potential side effects before beginning treatment.

Tips For Prevention Of Fungal Nails

Nail fungus causes only 50% of abnormal-appearing nails. It can be hard to tell the difference between the different causes of discolored nails . Onychomycosis is often not treated. Reasons to receive treatment include

No one knows where a specific person catches the fungus, as it is everywhere. However, since the fungus does thrive in warm moist areas , there are certain areas one should avoid or use with caution. Shower floors, locker rooms, and swimming pools are suspected of being sources of the fungus, although there are no studies proving this fact. Nail polish and acrylic nails also make the nail less “breathable” and make the nail more susceptible to fungal infection. Fungi are everywhere — in the air, the dust, and the soil. Hygienic measures such as spraying socks and footgear sound sensible, and perhaps these measures can even help a little bit. However, avoiding tight, nonbreathing shoes or steering clear of athletic facility floors may very well be the best prevention available. Daily washing of the feet and drying between the toes can help to prevent nail fungus. The fungi carried on the coats of pets, like cats and dogs, don’t often cause nail fungus. Wearing white socks does not help.

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