What Are Treatments For Toenail Fungus
Do you need to treat your nail fungus? Maybe it doesn’t hurt, and the yellow, thick nails don’t bother you.
But nail fungus doesn’t go away by itself. And if you don’t treat it, there’s a chance it could get worse. It could spread to other nails or through your body. It could cause pain when you walk.
There are a number of ways to take care of it, including:
Nonprescription options. You can buy antifungal creams, gels, and nail polish at the store and online without a prescription. You might want to try one of them first if the infection doesn’t look bad. Some people also swear by home remedies like menthol rub, tea tree oil, mouthwash, or snakeroot extract — but studies show mixed results.
Prescription polish and creams. Your foot doctor will likely trim your nail and file away its dead layers. They may also take a piece of your nail and send it to the lab to make sure itâs really a fungus and to find out what type it is.
The doctor might suggest an antifungal drug that you paint on your nails. This may work on its own, or they may suggest you take it with antifungal pills.
Prescription medications. One of several antifungal pills may help. They work, but it may take many months to do the job. They also come with side effects like nausea, vomiting, and headaches. They may cause liver damage too, so your doctor will watch you closely while you take them. Be sure to tell them about any other meds youâre taking — some antifungal pills might not work well with them.
Tips To Combat Foot Fungus
The best way to combat foot fungus is to reduce your exposure to it. There are simple things you can do to prevent from contracting foot and nail fungus.
My Final Thoughts On The Prevention Of Toenail Fungus
It is way easier to prevent toenail fungus than to cure it.
Take all the steps necessary to make certain that you are doing everything possible to ensure that you are protected from this unsightly condition.
Should you begin to notice any changes within your toenails such as thickening or discoloration, it is best to begin treatment right away!
There are many treatments out there for toenail fungus that just do not work however, there are currently THREE products that are the most effective cures for toenail fungus.
Get one and treat early!
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Preventing Toenail Fungus From Spreading
While you can’t avoid contact with the microscopic organisms that cause toenail fungus its present anywhere that is warm, dark, or moist keeping your feet clean and dry and clipping your nails properly can help prevent an infection.
For fungus to grow, there needs to be some type of trauma to the nail where the nail-skin junction, or natural barrier, is disrupted, says Sheth. For example, from a pedicure, ill-fitting shoes, or the repetitive trauma of running or hiking that causes the nail to lift or get pressed on from shoes or boots.
Still, some people are more vulnerable than others, she adds. Some people have it only on one toe or one foot, and some have lived with a partner who has it but they never get it,” Sheth says. “And for some you see it in their entire family. It’s not as straightforward as it seems, and it’s an annoying problem.
If you do get a toenail fungus infection, these measures can help stop it from spreading:
Getting rid of established toenail fungus can be difficult. Successfully eliminating it depends on careful adherence to a treatment plan.
“What happens over time is that the fungus breeds in the nail tissue and goes from being just a little bit on the nail, to a really discolored and thickened nail, to a nail that is totally embedded with fungus,” explains Marlene Reid, a doctor of podiatric medicine in Naperville, Illinois, and a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Tea Tree Oil Has Soothing Properties That Can Help In Pain Management
- Tea tree oil, or melaleuca oil, is a natural oil that comes from Australias Melaleuca alternifolia plant. Not only does tea tree oil possess antifungal properties, it also relieves itchiness, discomfort, and inflammation. There are many topical anti-fungal solutions that carry this natural ingredient in their product. An example is EmoniNail, which is an FDA-approved effective treatment for onychomycosis. If you choose tea tree oil and remedy it on your own, one must be reminded that it needs to be diluted. Direct application of tea tree oil is not ideal. This can easily be fixed by diluting it with coconut oil.
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Change Your Socks Often
Preventing nail fungus can be difficult but with a little effort, you can keep it from reoccurring. There are many things you can do to help. Find out some simple tips that will help prevent your toenail fungus from coming back.
Change Your Socks Often. Do you wear the same pair of socks every day? Thats like putting on your shower shoes in the wrong pair. Make sure to rotate your socks regularly so that you dont share the fungi spores. If you have very thick socks, this can be especially hard to do.
Trim Your Nails Regularly. Nail fungus is hard to fight off once it sets in. Try to cut your nails a few times a week. Every two weeks would be better. This will cut down on the spread of fungus and allow for good circulation of blood.
Avoid Tight Socks. There is one very obvious reason to avoid wearing tight socks. You are increasing the likelihood of getting a toe nail fungus. Tight socks have a lot of seams that allow the feet to breathe easier.
Buy Different Shoes For Different Activities. Even though running is supposed to be good for the feet, dont wear flip flops on the beach. Dont wear tennis shoes to the grocery store. You may be walking around all day in the same pair of shoes.
Use Shoes With Wicking Material. You should consider using waterproof shoes if you live in a hot climate. If you do decide to use these, make sure to use fabric that wicks away moisture. You can wear insoles under your shoes that wick away moisture as well.
Treatment Options For Fungal Nail
Treatment options, some of which can be prescribed by your GP and the others found at your local pharmacy, include:
Antifungal nail creams or paints
These are applied directly to the nail over several months and are most effective when used at the early stages of the infection. They arent generally considered to be as effective as tablets because it can be difficult for the product to reach the deep layers of the nail. Some people choose them over tablets because side effects are less common. These are available over the counter.
Nail-softening kits
A paste is applied to soften the infected area. This is then covered with a plaster for 24 hours. The next day, the paste is washed off and the softened nail gently scraped away.
This process has to be repeated every day for two to three weeks. When no more of the infected nail can be removed, an antifungal paint is applied to prevent re-infection as the nail grows over the next few months. These kits are available from your pharmacist.
Antifungal tablets
These are only available on prescription and need to be taken for several months, before the infection has completely cleared up. Some tablets are unsuitable for people taking certain medicines, and some people may experience side effects. Always see your doctor or pharmacist for advice about medicines.
Laser treatment
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How Do You Get Rid Of Black Toenail Fungus
- The best way to get rid of black toenail fungus is to trim the toenail and remove the dry blood underneath the toenail.
- A good healthy toenail should grow back over time if you can successfully get rid of the black toenail fungus.
- Our favorite way to do this is to use a strong toenail clipper and trim the black toenail.
- We would also strongly recommend coming to see us if you are in Michigan.
- We are podiatrists that specialized in treating black toenail fungus and ruling out black toenail cancer!
Dermatophytes: A Common Cause Of Toenail Fungus
Your toenails are composed of 80% hard keratin and 20% soft keratin. Keratin is also in your skin and hair. Dermatophytes, the fungi that usually cause onychomycosis, feed on keratin to grow and multiply.
Dermatophytes love warm, moist environments, including:
- Public pools
- Saunas
- Locker rooms
Onychomycosis is highly contagious, so its easy to catch. When dermatophytes find their way to your feet as a result of exposure to sweat, public showers, or steam rooms, the dermatophytes consume the keratin in your nails by breaking it down into smaller particles. The crumbly residue on your infected toenails is actually keratin debris.
You can also get toenail fungus as a result of being more susceptible to foot problems, especially if youre diabetic, have circulation problems, or you have a weakened immune system. These other conditions, including chronic skin problems like psoriasis, often lead to toenail fungus if your feet are exposed to it, or you dont keep your feet cool and dry after swimming or going to the gym.
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Bottom Line: Nail That Fungus Forever Shows You How To Eliminate Your Infected Nails Once And For All
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Treating Fungal Nail Infection
Treatment may not be necessary in mild cases of fungal nail infection. For more severe or troublesome cases, antifungal medication may be recommended.
A fungal nail infection is unlikely to get better without treatment, but if you’re not bothered by it you might decide it’s not worth treating because treatment can take a long time, may cause side effects, and isn’t always effective.
Whether or not you decide to have treatment, you should still follow the self-help advice below to help stop the condition getting worse or spreading to others.
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How To Cure Toenail Fungus With Snakeroot Extract
Snakeroot extract is obtained from plants of the sunflower family. Studies have shown that snakeroot extract is quite effective in treating the black toenail fungus. Its effect on the infection is similar to that of various prescribed medications.
How to use?
- Apply the snakeroot extract on the fungal growth.
- For the desired results use this remedy every third day of the week in the first month, then two times a week in the second month and only once a week in the third month.
Benefits of Snakeroot extract
Snakeroot extract has potent antifungal properties that make it an effective remedy for how to get rid of toenail fungus. Application of it in the prescribed manner will eliminate the fungus causing the infection.
Precautions
Use the snakeroot extract as prescribed. Do not overdo the application of the extract as it may cause an adverse effect.
What About The Cost Of Oral Medications For Fungal Nails
A further consideration is cost. Because newer oral antifungal agents are very expensive, some insurance companies balk at paying for what they consider a “cosmetic issue,” unless nail fungus causes pain or other functional symptoms. Terbinafine and fluconazole are now available as generic drugs and are quite inexpensive.
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How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus With Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is the safest natural remedies for how to get rid of toenail fungus. The oil is known to contain numerous beneficial properties that can help treat various skin and hair troubles.
- Take some amount of coconut oil
- Rub it in your fingers to liquefy it
- After that apply the oil to the infected region
- Massage it for some time so that it penetrates deep in your skin
- Repeat the process for two to three times a day to get the desired results.
Benefits of coconut oil
Coconut oil contains caprylic acid, a fatty acid which is known to fight candida and several other fungi. It penetrates through the tough cell wall of the fungus and destroys it. Thus, coconut oil effectively kills the fungus that causes the infection. Further, the nourishing properties of the coconut oil give you smooth and supple skin. It is an easy and effective way to treat the ugly toenail fungus.
Precautions
Coconut oil is a safe treatment for toenail fungus. But some people are allergic to the oil. Rub a small amount of oil onto your arm if it causes rashes or redness, then you might have coconut oil allergy. In such a case avoid using this remedy.
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Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus
Risk factors | Diagnosis | Home remedies | Over-the-counter medicine | Prescription drugs | When to see a doctor
Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium, is a common nail condition affecting millions of people in the United States. Fungal nail infections can develop on the nail from various organisms such as molds, yeasts, and fungi. This usually occurs after these organisms come into contact with a cracked nail or skin surrounding the nail as the opening provides a portal of entry for these organisms.
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How To Treat Toenail Fungus Naturally At Home The Top 5 Home Remedies
Onychomycosis is one of the most common fungal infections that occur in the feet, second only to tinea pedis, or Athletes Foot. Also known as Toenail Fungus, this fungal infection takes the form of a white, brownish, or yellow discoloration in one or more of your toenails.
If left untreated, toenail fungus can spread to surrounding toes, and it will cause the thickening and cracking of affected nails, so its important to treat it as soon as it occurs, to preserve the future health of your feet.
But if you have toenail fungus, you may not want to use a prescription drug like Diflucan or Lamisil to treat your infection, because they can cause nasty side effects like nausea, as well as skin issues and jaundice.
Need to treat toenail fungus naturally at home? Here are our top home remedies. Try them today, and see if you can get rid of your case of onychomycosis without any expensive prescription drugs!
When To Refer To Podiatry
Before initiating topical or oral therapy, patients should ideally be referred to a podiatrist for nail trimming and debridement. This assists with removing as much fungus as possible and improves topical drug penetration. Debridement alone cannot be recommended for the treatment of OM patients using a combination of debridement and topical nail lacquer have shown a significant improvement in mycological cure compared with debridement only. Patients with nail trauma owing to footwear, dystrophic toenails affecting other toes or who describe discomfort when walking owing to thickened toenails should also be referred.
When there is treatment failure with topical, oral and combination therapies, a podiatrist may be able to carry out a chemical or surgical nail avulsion .
If there is doubt over the original diagnosis, or where no improvement has been seen with treatment, pharmacists should refer patients to a podiatrist or their GP.
Supported by RB
RB provided financial support in the production of this content.
The authors were paid by The Pharmaceutical Journal to write this article and full editorial control was maintained by the journal at all times.
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What Is Toenail Pain
There are many habits and conditions that can make your toenails hurt. For example, wearing shoes that are too tight or cutting your toenails too short can make your toenails hurt for a few days.
Toenails may also hurt because of more serious conditions like infections. People who have diabetes or problems with decreased blood flow are more likely to develop foot infections that can cause toenail pain.
In many cases, toenail pain can be treated at home. But you should call your doctor if at-home treatments dont work, your toenail pain worsens, or you notice drainage or pus around the nail.
Rarely, infections of the toe can become more serious and cause symptoms such as fever and nausea. In this case, you should go to the ER immediately.