How To Get Rid Of Nail Fungus On Toenails

Does The Listerine Toenail Fungus Treatment Work

Millions of people use natural remedies. In fact, more people than ever are interested in these measures as aggressive doctors push alarming pharmaceutical options. Society is beginning to understand and appreciate the amazing potential of the human body. However, just because home remedies like the toenail fungus Listerine option are popular doesnt mean that you shouldnt look for evidence supporting their use. Does Listerine for nail fungus work?

The Listerine toenail fungus treatment does have some positives. People who recommend using Listerine for nail fungus often tout the following:

Treatment is inexpensive. Product is readily available. Anecdotal stories promise results.

Unfortunately, most people dont look much closer than that. As a discerning patient, however, its necessary to dig deeper into the claims of the toenail fungus Listerine suggestion. Urban legends are often based on minute amounts of truth. However with thorough research and a healthy dose of common sense the truth about Listerine and nail fungus isnt hard to determine:

To conclude, Listerine looks to be a legitimate mouthwash for teeth, though you may find alcohol free mouthwashes healthier. When it comes to nail fungus, Listerine is definitely not the treatment of choice. Better options exist, including topical solutions that have proven ingredients and are safe to use.

How Do I Know If I Have A Fungal Nail Infection

Because other infections can affect the nail and mimic symptoms of a fungal nail infection, the only way to confirm a diagnosis is to see a doctor. Theyll take a scraping of the nail and look under a microscope for signs of fungus.

In some cases, your doctor may send the sample to a lab for analysis and identification.

Over-the-counter products arent usually recommended to treat nail infections since they dont provide reliable results. Instead, your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication, such as:

• terbinafine

Effective Fungus Under Toenail Treatment

How to cure fungus under toenail requires the use of prescription medications. You can be put on various oral antifungal tablets for fungus under toenail treatment. Although, these happen to be most effective, they can cause havoc on your liver, kidneys, skin and bone marrow.

Therefore, you ought to use them while under the supervision of podiatrist or doctor who will be able to conduct various tests on your organs to ensure that no damage is caused by drugs such as terbinafine, itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole and griseofluvin. You could also be prescribed for topical nail lacquer also known as Penlac, econazole, ketoconazole and oxiconazole among others to go alongside the oral tablets.

Another fungus under toenail treatment that could cure you completely is the surgical removal of the infected nail. The infected nail is removed under local anesthesia and a new one grows to replace it after sometime.

You can also cure fungus under toenail using the laser treatments of Pinpointe, Fox and Noveon among others. The results of lasers are not immediate until several months after treatment and the success rates are at 80%-90%. The downside of this treatment is that it is expensive and you may require more than one sessions in order to cure the fungus.

Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Fungus On Feet

Cover The Affected Area In Oregano Oil

Believe it or not, the tasty herb can also work wonders for treating toenail fungus at home. According to a 2020 study published in the Journal of Skin Appendage Disorders, researchers found that oreganos antibacterial properties are able to inhibit fungal growth in nails when included in an essential oil blend.

While the effectiveness of oregano oil has only been known anecdotally, thymola common component of oregano oilhas been reviewed to be an effective antibacterial and antifungal agent, Hayag says. People with toenail fungus can apply the product to affected areas twice daily and can expect no improvement, partial improvement, or complete improvement of their toenail fungus after using oregano oil. That said, she mentioned that oregano oil is quite potent and can cause an adverse reaction if you have particularly sensitive skin. For this reason, she recommends starting with a patch test. Additionally, to prevent an adverse reaction, consider mixing oregano oil with a carrier oil, such as olive or avocado oils, to dilute its potency.

Cause Of Toenail Fungus

Onychomycosis can be caused by the overgrowth of certain fungi, such as dermatophytes and yeast, in your toenail. The fungal spores may be airborne or live naturally on the skin and find their way to your foot or toenail.

The fungi thrive in warm and humid conditions. So, if your feet remain damp or sweaty, these microbes will multiply rapidly and give rise to an infection.

Any crack or tear in the skin or nail can provide the fungi entry into the deeper tissue. They sustain themselves by feeding on the nail tissue, and they slowly penetrate the skin under the enamel.

As the fungal debris collects under the nail enamel, it starts to thicken and rise above the nail bed. This damaged and discolored part of the nail will not heal and reattach to the nail bed again but will eventually grow out.

Common symptoms of toenail fungus include the following:

• The infected toenail gradually becomes thick and turns yellow, brown, or white.
• Since the infection weakens the nail, it may develop cracks.
• There is generally no pain, but the infection becomes progressively severe.
• In some cases, toenail fungus may be accompanied by athleteâs foot, which is also a fungal skin infection that affects the foot, especially the area between the toes.

Read Also: How To Stop Fungus Growing In Lawn

Luxuriate In Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is known for being incredibly calming for the senses, sure, but its also a great option for calming toenail fungal infections. According to a study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, lavender provides a powerful antifungal punch. Lavender essential oil shows a potent antifungal effect against strains of fungi that are responsible for toenail fungus and other skin fungal infections, Hayag explains. When using lavender oil to treat toenail fungus, it is best to apply one to two drops of lavender oil to the affected nail and allow it to soak for 10 minutes. After soaking, she suggests gently scrubbing the area with a clean toothbrush and repeating the process daily until the infection has been resolved.

Which Treatment Is Right For Me

Nail fungus is usually harmless. But many people find discolored or thickened nails unpleasant to look at and want to get rid of the fungus as soon as possible. Fungal nail infections can also spread, and may infect other people. Regardless of the treatment you choose, it will take a while until the nail looks normal again. Its especially important to be patient where toenails are concerned. It can take a year for a healthy big toenail to grow back. Nail fungus can sometimes be very persistent despite treatment. It can also come back after successful treatment.

Topical treatment isnt likely to get rid of a fungal nail infection. Treatment with tablets is considerably more effective and takes less time. But some people cant take tablets because of the very rare, yet serious risks. How you feel about the pros and cons of the different treatment options is a personal matter. You can also discuss the options with your doctor.

Don’t Miss: What To Take For Nail Fungus

How To Get Rid Of Toe Fungus

This article was co-authored by . Dr. Mark Co is a Podiatrist who runs his own private practice in San Francisco, California. Dr. Co specializes in treatments for bunions, ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, warts, plantar fasciitis and other causes of foot pain. He also offers custom orthotics for the treatment and prevention of foot and ankle issues. Dr. Co completed a Master of Business Administration at New York University and an MA in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Co also completed his DPM at the California School of Podiatric Medicine and a residency and internship at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, California. Dr. Co was awarded San Francisco’s “Top 3 Podiatrists” in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Dr. Co is also a member of the CPMA .There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 96% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,481,677 times.

What Is The Most Effective Treatment For Toenail Fungus

The most effective toenail fungus treatment for you will largely depend on your symptoms and situation. Your provider will consider several factors before recommending a treatment plan thats customized to you.

Overall, oral antifungal medications may offer the most treatment potential. Pairing oral drugs with topical antifungal medication may make treatment more effective.

Recommended Reading: Where To Buy Tea Tree Oil For Nail Fungus

Remedies To Fight Toenail Fungus At Home

Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is perhaps one of the most common nail disorders. It is a fungal infection that penetrates through chinks in your toenail, cuts in the surrounding skin, or the separation between the nail and the toe, and affects the material below the toenail.

The fungus tends to thrive in certain conditions, such as abnormal body pH, a weakened immune system, continuous exposure to a moist environment including sweaty shoes and socks, poor hygiene, and diabetes.

As embarrassing as this condition may be, simply camouflaging your unsightly toenail, such as painting your nails, without tending to it properly would do you more harm than good. If the infection goes untreated long enough, it could spread to the adjoining skin, to the other toenails, and even perhaps to your fingernails.

How To Get Rid Of Yellow Fingernails And Toenails

Now were not doctors. So, if youre concerned or have any issues you should definitely see your doctor for a consultation. They will have a much better idea of your issue and will be able to prescribe stronger treatments to eliminate the yellow nails hopefully.

But regardless of your chosen course of action, it is important to act fast. If left untreated the nail bed could retract causing it to thicken and crumble. It also leaves you fingers more prone to infection, makes your hands more noticeable , and can even start to cause a very, shall we say, unpleasant odor. All of which, are definitely No Bueno!

Here are some easy at-home treatments to get your nail game back on track. Remember it can take up to a year to completely remove some causes of yellow nails, so the sooner you get started the better.

Donât Miss: How To Disinfect Clothes From Fungus

Don’t Miss: How To Kill Fungus In The Body

Health Implications Of Thick Yellow Toenails

The majority of the time, people will just wear shoes and leave the infection untreated. This might be okay for a while and not have any effects on your health in the short term if you are healthy and young.

But people with a weaker immune system , are more susceptible to yellow toenails. Studies have shown that about one in 24 cases have seen the infection move to other parts of the body. It is normally limited to the feet but has been reported to spread to the back, hands and legs, especially in older patients even if they are not on any medication.

Nail fungus itself can cause cracks in the skin and nail which are an invitation for other types of bacteria to route their way into the body. This can be a serious problem for people suffering from more concerning health problems such as diabetes, diabetic neuropathy and more. It has even been blamed for amputations in diabetic patients.

Now this is starting to sound a little more troublesome than just being unsightly!

These are quite extreme examples but you can never be too careful. If you are ever in doubt about your overall health and fungal infections you should definitely consult your doctor.

The good news is that thick yellow toenails can be treated in a number of ways, some more effective than others which we will go through ahead.

Will White Iodine Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus

Creams and most topical medications are usually not as effective as oral medications in treating nail fungus, but they can work and dont have as many potential side effects.

Unfortunately, toenails can often be too hard for topical medications to penetrate, which includes white iodine. Nonetheless, some experts claim that iodine may have some effect on fungal toenail infections because iodine molecules are small in size. This allows iodine to penetrate deeper into your nail bed, thus destroying the fungus.

But like most home remedies, white iodine may take time to show noticeable effects. In addition to taking the correct precautions to prevent fungal infections from spreading, you can also use coconut oil in conjunction with your iodine treatment. After applying a coat of iodine to your nails, allow your nails to dry before moisturizing with coconut oil.

You May Like: How To Treat Severe Toenail Fungus

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.

When To See A Bethesda Md Or Springfield Va Podiatrist

If you try several of these remedies and see no results, its time to see a podiatrist. Toenail fungus is notoriously stubborn, so dont be too surprised if home remedies dont quite work. It can also take quite a long time for these home remedies to work because you have to continue doing them consistently until the new nail has fully grown out.

If youve tried the homeopathic route and arent satisfied with the results, you can always come see Bethesda, MD & Springfield, VA Podiatrist, Dr. Paul Ross! If you have moderate to severe foot fungus, it is recommended that you see a doctor anyway because there can be complications if the infection is left untreated. Call us at . We offer same day appointments if you dont want to wait.

The Podiatry Centers treat all medical and surgical foot and ankle conditions. Licensed Bethesda, MD Podiatrist, Dr. Paul Ross can help bring you foot and ankle pain relief.

Our Bethesda, Maryland and Springfield, Virginia Podiatry offices offer the most effective and state-of-the-art, quality podiatry care services with a smile to patients in our local community, including: Woodbridge VA, Fairfax VA, Annandale VA, Arlington VA, Alexandria VA, Burke VA, Gaithersburg MD, Potomac MD, Silver Spring MD, Rockville MD and Chevy Chase MD.

Return to a pain-free life and get back to the things you love!

Recommended Reading: How To Treat Nail Fungus At Home Naturally

How Effective Are Topical Treatments

So far, only a few studies have looked into topical nail fungus treatments with nail polishes or creams. Because these studies had weaknesses, the results should be interpreted with caution. Amorolfine has not yet been well studied. Ciclopirox polish and treatment sets with urea and bifonazole cream were tested in a few studies.

Research on the effectiveness of nail polish containing ciclopirox showed that, after one year:

• About 10 out of 100 people who did not use ciclopirox no longer had a detectable fungal nail infection.
• About 32 out of 100 people who used ciclopirox no longer had a detectable fungal nail infection.

In other words, treatment with ciclopirox got rid of the fungal infection in about 22 out of 100 people. But even if the fungus had gone away, the cosmetic result wasnt always satisfying. The nails only looked healthy after treatment in 7 out of 100 people.

Treatment with sets containing urea and bifonazole cream was tested in one study. It was compared with a treatment in which only urea cream was applied and the nail was removed, but without applying bifonazole cream afterwards. Three months after treatment was completed, it was found that:

• No fungus was visible or detectable in about 41 out of 100 people who only used urea cream.
• No fungus was visible or detectable in about 51 out of 100 people who used both urea and bifonazole cream.

Best Ways To Treat A Nail Fungus

Nail fungus can cause thick, discolored nails, and, for some patients, it can even be painful. An Internet search will bring up plenty of ways to treat the condition, but which ones are best? Dermatologist Dr. Christopher Hull discusses what nail fungus actually is, why its so hard to get rid of, and which treatments work best.

Read Also: What Causes Foot Fungus Between Toes