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.
My Doctor Wants To Remove My Toenail Now What
Whether theres a nail bed fungal infection or just a really bad case of athletes foot, some doctors may choose to surgically remove an infected area instead of treating it. This isnt a common treatment option and is usually reserved for infections that dont respond to other treatments, such as applying high doses of Tinactin in combination while taking proactive prevention measures.
Toenails that are removed are generally quite yellow and extremely thick. They will be difficult to trim at home with clippers, even after a long period of soaking. The toenail remove is generally done as an outpatient procedure at a specialists office. A local anesthesia will be administered around the nail so the area is numb and then the entire nail will likely be removed.
An anti-fungal medication or prescription medications may be ordered after the procedure to prevent the nail from growing back as thick and yellow as before. It generally takes 4-8 months for this procedure to be effective.
Foot Fungus: Causes And Risk Factors
A foot fungus is a fungal infection of the skin, better known as athletes foot, says Sundling. The fungus enters through cracks in the skin. Its known as athletes foot because athletes or anyone who is more active and sweats a lot is more at risk. Kids are also more at risk, because they dont tend to wear different shoes, and changing your shoes is one way to avoid foot fungus.
Foot fungus is very common. It does not mean that someone is dirty or didnt bathe, and if you have a compromised immune system, you may be more susceptible, says Sundling.
Also Check: Can Tinactin Cure Toenail Fungus
Keep Your Feet Clean And Dry
Foot fungi love moisture. Practicing good foot hygiene could help keep it away altogether. This means washing your feet at least once a day and then ensuring that the tight spaces between the toes are completely dry, Rodney says. Its also a good idea to wash and dry your feetespecially in between your toesafter working out.
Heres How Often You Should Wash Your Bath Towel
Doctors Weigh Best Treatments
The best treatment for fungal nail infections is a prescription that your dermatologist can prescribe that you take every day for two-to-three months. The pill is not for everyone, since oral antifungals can interact with other medications and can affect the liver.
Fortunately if you dont want to or cant take a pill, there are topical solutions to treat nail fungus. Although topical medications are desirable because of the low risk of side effects and interaction with other medications, they have much longer treatment regimens. Generally, topical medications have a lower clearance rate compared to oral pills.
Newer topical antifungals including Efinaconazole and Tavaborole have better penetration of the nail plate and so they work better compared to older topical medications, says Dr. Ng. She says the topical medications work best if you only have partial nail involvement.
Lasers are approved by the FDA to temporarily increase the amount of clear nail. However, the cure rates are lower than oral medications and topical solutions.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Fungus In House
Top Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus
There are many home remedies available nowadays for getting rid of toenail fungus, which means you have many choices. When it comes to which ones you should try, it’s really a matter of experimenting to see which home remedies may or may not work for you.
So what are some top home remedies for toenail fungus people use to address their fungal infection? See below for some of the more popular home remedies for treating toenail fungus.
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: What Is Good To Soak Your Feet In For Fungus
Home Remedies For Nail Fungus
Treating nail fungus doesnt have to mean relying on a doctors prescription. Instead, patients can take control of their health with these easy home remedies for toenail fungus.
This pantry staple can help cure nail fungus and is also a wonderful home remedy for foot rot when applied topically or taken internally.
Apple Cider Vinegar Antifungal Recipe
- 1 part apple cider vinegar
- 1 part Epsom salts
Complications Regarding Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungal infections are typically painless or at least start off that way. But without proper self-care and treatment, the condition can spiral into a more severe case of nail fungus, which can be painful and may cause irretrievable damage to your nails.
Moreover, the toenail infection can sprout other serious infections that can spread beyond your feet, particularly if you have a suppressed immune system due to certain medications, diabetes, or other conditions.
Because people with diabetes are already predisposed to reduced blood circulation and nerve supply in their feet, their odds for catching toenail infections as well as bacterial skin infection are quite high.
Thus, it is imperative for people with diabetes to seek professional medical help for any seemingly minor foot injury including a nail fungal infection to avoid any future complications.
Don’t Miss: How Long Does It Take To Heal Toenail Fungus
Preventing The Fungus From Spreading
Foot fungus, especially athletes foot, can be very contagious. Whether youre using OTC or prescription treatments, you still have to take steps to prevent the fungus from spreading until the rash clears completely. These tips can keep the fungus contained and might even help the rash heal faster.
How To Treat Fungal Toenails
Posted on 05.30.17|Yuko Miyazaki, DPM|
There are many places to go and things to do in Berkeley all year long, and especially in our summer months. No matter if you enjoy visiting the Berkeley Rose Garden or revisiting your childhood with a ride on the Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round, its always a little better when youre wearing sandals or open-toed shoes to air out your feet and keep them cool. You may disagree, though, if you have a case of fungal toenails!
Whereas some people are quite comfortable sporting open-toed shoes, others feel the need to keep discolored, distorted toenails hidden from the world. If you are one of those individuals, you should know there are fungal toenail treatment options that can help.
When it comes to treatment for fungal toenails, the best place to start is with methods you can try on your own at home. We will certainly provide professional treatment if you need it, but you may want to try any of the following remedies first:
- Apple cider vinegar. This particular type of vinegar has a mild acidity, which both prevents the fungal infection from spreading and eradicates the offensive fungus . To correctly perform this form of treatment, mix apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of water in a basin. Soak the affected foot in the solution for about thirty minutes.
Home care is a good starting point, but there is certainly a chance you will benefit from professional treatment. In these cases, you may need:
Read Also: Does Vaporub Cure Toenail Fungus
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 2006 study published in the Journal of Skin Appendage Disorders, researchers found that oreganos antibacterial properties are able to inhibit fungal growth in nails.
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.
Top 12 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Nail Fungus Naturally
Commonly known to the layman as fungal nail infection, Onychomycosis is an infection that occurs when fungus forms beneath the nails. The condition can develop as a result of poor foot hygiene, continuous exposure to moist environments, wearing unbreathable synthetic socks, accumulation of sweat in shoes, imbalanced pH levels of the skin, a compromised immune system, and conditions like diabetes that constricts blood flow.Upon infection, Onychomycosis will cause the nail to thicken, discolor, and eventually crumble into pieces. If left untreated, the condition can become painful. As the infection progresses, areas around the infected toenails or fingernails may swell and begin to give off a foul smell too.
Contents
You May Like: How To Treat Nail Fungus From The Inside
Making The Vinegar Foot Soak
Vinegar will not hurt your feet, but you should still dilute it for a foot soak. Generally, using 1-part vinegar to 2-parts water is a good ratio. If youre tolerating the diluted vinegar soaks, and not noticing any difference, you can use a stronger soak.
While the soak will smell strong, the odor will dissipate after the vinegar dries from your feet. You can also use essential oils to change the scent slightly.
Smooth On An Antifungal Cream
Look for antifungal creams at your local drugstore that contain ketoconazole or terbinafine as active ingredients, Rodney says. Just make sure to use them at night or whenever your feet can breathe, she explains, You should not use these when wearing sneakers or boots because they may just add moisture to your already sweaty feet.
Read Also: How Do You Cure Toe Fungus
How Can I Treat Athlete’s Foot In Pregnancy
Treatment options during pregnancy may include dilute vinegar soaks or sprays and Lotrimin cream twice a day for two to three weeks to the soles. Antifungal pills are generally not recommended during pregnancy because of the potential side effects and possible fetal harm. Always check with your OB/GYN before using any medication or treatment during pregnancy.
The Danger Of Waiting To Treat The Fungus
The greatest danger of not treating the foot or toenail fungus is that it can spread to other parts of the body, such as the hands and groin.
If for some reason you cant treat your toenails or your feet right away, at least use an antifungal topical cream on the surrounding skin, Dr. Ng says. That will help keep it from spreading and keep the skin intact.
Don’t Miss: Does Nail Polish Help With Toenail Fungus
Top 5 Best Spices To Kill And Cure Toenail Fungus
We all know that toenail fungus infections are very stubborn, and it is quite difficult to get rid of it. Unless you are going for laser treatments, all the other treatments, be it some oral ones, or medical ones, would take more than three months to get rid of the toenail fungus.
Thus, you should bear in mind that trying any of these methods will take almost 100 days, and one is supposed to stick to the method until the removal of the toenail fungus.
How To Heal Your Toenail Fungus At Home
Posted
HOW TO HEAL YOUR TOENAIL FUNGUS AT HOME
If you have mild toenail fungus, theres a very good chance that a home remedy can help you get rid of it. Though you can definitely try these with moderate to severe toenail fungus, too, as long as youre healthy, it is recommended that you see a specialist if its a bad case of fungus.
As always, if your immune system is compromised or you have diabetes, its always best to see a podiatrist so you dont risk making things worse or needing surgery.
Without further ado, here are several home remedies you can try to heal your toenail fungus.
Read Also: What Spice Is Good For Toenail Fungus
What Kind Of Doctor Treats Athlete’s Foot
Dermatologists specialize in the treatment of skin disorders, including athlete’s foot. You may find a board-certified dermatologist through . Additionally, family medicine physicians, internal medicine physicians, pediatricians, podiatrists , and other practitioners may also treat this common infection. Most primary care physicians can treat athlete’s feet successfully.
Treatment Options For Nail Fungus
Interviewer:
Dr. Hull:
Interviewer:
Dr. Hull:
Most of my conversation is usually discussing medical therapy, so things that are available by prescription only. And those come in two main forms, which are topical antifungal medications, and then oral antifungal medications. There are other surgical or procedural options, so you can remove nails as well. And then there’s starting to be more interest in technologies like lasers for nail fungus.
Interviewer:
Dr. Hull:
Interviewer:
Dr. Hull:
Interviewer:
Dr. Hull:
You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Toe Fungus Forever
Dermatophytes: A Common Reason Of Toe Nail Fungi
Your nails are composed of 80% hard keratin and 20% soft keratin. Keratin is also in your skin and also hair. Dermatophytes, the fungis that typically cause onychomycosis, eat keratin to expand and multiply.
Dermatophytes prefer cozy, moist conditions, consisting of:
- Public pools
- Saunas
- Storage locker rooms
Onychomycosis is truly contagious, so its simple to capture. When dermatophytes discover their means to your feet as an outcome of exposure to sweat, public showers, or steam bath, the dermatophytes eat the keratin in your nails by breaking it down right into smaller sized bits.
You can also obtain toenail fungus as a result of being a lot more vulnerable to foot situations, especially if youre diabetic person, have blood circulation disorders, or you have a vulnerable body immune system.
These various other situations, including serious skin disorders like psoriasis, frequently bring about toenail fungus if your feet are subjected to it, or you dont maintain your feet cool as well as dry after swimming or going to the health club.
Here are 10 methods that can assist maintain your feet and toes fungus free and smelling as fresh as springtime.
Soak In Listerine And White Vinegar
The combination of Listerines antifungal ingredients and vinegars acidity makes an inhospitable environment for fungi. This treatment is effective for green nails which may have whats called atypical organisms, says Dr. Goldenberg. If you have true toenail fungus, its less likely to work, though.
How to use it: Combine the two in equal portions and soak your toes in the solution, ideally for 45 to 60 minutes daily.
Read Also: Is Listerine Good For Toe Fungus