When To Contact A Doctor
Toenail fungus is typically not a significant problem for most people. However, if there are no improvements or complications occur as a result of home remedies, people should speak with a doctor and stop using the home remedy as soon as possible. It is also advisable to contact a podiatrist if a person notices any discoloration, thickening, or abnormality of the toenails.
Furthermore, people at higher risk for complications should seek medical treatment for their toenail fungus and avoid home remedies altogether. This includes those with diabetes or with weakened immune systems.
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Ways To Prevent Nail Fungus During Pregnancy
Here are the following few natural ways that may help prevent fungal nail infections
- Practice proper foot hygiene by regularly washing them with soap and drying them thoroughly at least once a day.
- While showering in public showers, wear rubber shoes, flip flops or shower clogs.
- Choose shoes that fit properly, with enough space around the toes and fingers.
- Make sure there is proper air circulation within the footwear.
- Choose socks that are made from cotton material.
- If the feet sweat excessively, then change the socks every day and wash them regularly.
- Avoid sharing nail clippers with others.
- Of the feet tend to be wet, consider using drying powders that can help keep the feet dry.
- Keep nails trimmed, clipping them straight across the top.
- Disinfect home pedicure tools which include tools used to trim the nails.
- Do not use nail polish on infected nails or nails that may suspect infection.
These preventive measures may help reduce the risk of fungal infection. If any abnormal changes are noticed in the nails, then consult the doctor.
Laser Treatment For Nail Fungus
As you can see, tips for healthy feet without nail fungus can be easy to find. If you have caught nail fungus, it can be easily treated using the FDA-approved PinPointe laser, which typically only takes on treatment. Other treatments like topical solutions and oral medication are not as effective. Topical solutions have a very low cure rate. This is because the solution does not penetrate all the way through the nail bed. This is because it can lead to liver toxicity. You would need to have consistent blood tests throughout the course of taking the medication.
Our nail doctor in San Rafael, CA recommends this treatment for toenail fungus. The PinPointe Laser treatment has the highest cure rate in the market. It has no side effects and no recovery period. As a result, you can go about your daily activities right after the treatment. Also, theres no pain.
If you have any signs of nail fungus, call us at 672-0625 our San Rafael, CA location, or visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.
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When Should Someone Seek Medical Care For Athlete’s Foot
If you notice any redness, increased swelling, bleeding, or if your infection is not clearing up, see your health care professional. If a bacterial infection is also occurring, an antibiotic pill may be necessary. If you have fungal nail involvement, are diabetic, or have a compromised immune system, you should also see your physician for treatment.
- Body skin fungus
- Secondary bacterial infections
This type of fungus generally likes to live in the skin, hair, and nails. It does not invade deep, go into body organs, or go into the blood system.
Fungal infections of the nails are called tinea unguium or onychomycosis. Nail fungus may be very difficult to treat. Antifungal pills may be required in cases of more advanced toenail fungal infections.
People with diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, or other immune problems may be more prone to all kinds of infections, including fungus. In patients with diabetes, fungal infections may lead to potentially dangerous foot ulcerations.
When the skin is injured or damaged, the natural protective skin barrier is broken. Bacteria and yeasts can then invade the broken skin. Bacteria can cause a bad smell. Bacterial infection of the skin and resulting inflammation is known as cellulitis. This is especially likely to occur in individuals with diabetes, chronic leg swelling, who have had veins removed , or in the elderly. Bacterial skin infections also occur more frequently in patients with impaired immune systems.
How Is Toenail Fungus Diagnosed
Nearly 3 million people in the United States are diagnosed with toenail fungus each year. Men are up to three times more likely to develop toenail fungus than women. You are also at a higher risk for a toenail fungus infection if you smoke or have diabetes. Also, individuals with compromised immune systems may experience toenail fungus that can turn into an infection.
When feet remain moist or damp, the fungus can grow, causing discoloration and thickening of toenails. Infection can cause discomfort and pain. The spread of fungus and infection can go from toe to toe, hand, fingernails, or skin on other parts of the body.
The toenail may become warped, cracked, or loosen itself away from the nail bed. Often the nail appears yellowish and may have white spots. Your doctor will examine your feet and potentially take a small sample of skin or nail to be sent off to a laboratory for testing. Your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist, podiatrist, or other healthcare professional if your condition is unusual or needs special care. Other foot conditions such as psoriasis can look similar to a fungal infection. Lab reports can indicate if the problem is fungal, helping the doctor prescribe the best medication for effective treatment.
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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.
When Are The Different Treatments Considered
Most doctors recommend treating nail fungus with nail polish or cream if
- not much more than half of the nail is affected by the fungus,
- the base of the nail is not infected, and
- only some nails are affected.
Topical treatment is also usually recommended for children. One reason for this is that most oral medications arent suitable for children. Another reason is that children have thinner nails that grow more quickly, so its assumed that treatment with nail polish or creams is more likely to work in children than in adults. White superficial onychomycosis is also often treated with a nail polish or cream.
If several nails are infected by the fungus, or if the infection has spread out more on the affected nails, its usually necessary to take oral medication. And if the infection started at the base of the nail, its highly likely that only tablets will help.
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Overview Of Active Ingredients For Internal Therapy
Terbinafine 250 mg tablets
Do not use during pregnancy unless the womans disease requires oral terbinafine treatment and the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.
In particular, it is not recommended to use it in the first three months of pregnancy.
Breastfeeding must be suspended during treatment with terbinafine.
Fluconazole 50 mg / 150 mg hard capsules
May only be used during pregnancy if necessary in standard doses and as short-term therapy.
If you are breastfeeding, it is not recommended to breastfeed if you take it repeatedly.
Itraconazole 100 mg hard capsules
Must not be used during pregnancy, except in life-threatening situations.
Breastfeeding should not be performed during treatment.
Another treatment option is medical foot care. The podiatrist can remove the excess nail mass with suitable instruments, making the treatment more accessible.
However, the therapy should then be continued in combination with the doctor.
Fungal Nail Infection Symptoms
Symptoms are different depending on which type of fungal nail infection you have. They usually start mild and get more serious.
- At first, you may only see a white or yellow spot under your nail. Over time, this spreads and can turn your whole nail white, yellow, green, or black.
- The nail may thicken and could be hard to trim.
- It may start to curl up or down or loosen from the nail bed.
- Your nail could become brittle and crumble when you touch it.
- Your nail may become misshapen.
- You may notice a bad smell.
Itâs easy to ignore fungal nail infections at first, since you may not have any pain. But if you donât treat them, it can hurt to put any pressure on the area. If an infection gets bad enough, it could even become hard to walk.
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Symptoms Of Toenail Fungus
Before you start treating toenail fungus, you should make sure that you have it.
How would you know? Here are some of the common symptoms that you should check for:
If you catch the fungus early, and it seems to be only a mild case, just cleaning the nail every day while also monitoring it may help keep it from spreading.
Suppose it requires more than daily nail care try some of the following remedies and best toenail fungus treatments.
Before you decide to start treatment for yourself, check with your doctor to ensure its safe. No matter how sure you are, its always better to be safe than sorry.
Vicks Vaporub For Toenail Fungus
Although primarily used as a chest decongestant, Vicks VapoRub can treat toenail fungus. This is because it contains thymol, menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oil.
According to Podiatry Today, thymol is believed to prevent fungi from growing and spreading. As a result, applying VapoRub to a mild fungal toenail should get rid of any fungal spores.
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Fungal Nail Infections Can Be Unpleasant & Sometimes Painful But If You Treat It Early It’s Much Easier To Get Rid Of The Infection That Causes It Read Our Guide For The Best Treatment Options
What is a fungal nail infection?
Fungal nail infections are a common problem that can affect any nail, but most often affects the toenails.
They’re caused by the growth of fungal spores that make their way between the toenail and the skin underneath the nail bed. The spores feed off the skin or the keratin in the nail.
The type of fungi responsible for athletes foot, another common foot condition that affects the skin mainly between the toes, can cause the infection to spread to the nails.
More rarely, fungal nail infections can be caused by other types of fungi, usually yeasts, which tend to attack nails that are already damaged because they are easier for the fungi to invade.
How do you get a fungal nail infection?
This type of infection is highly contagious and flourishes in warm, moist environments. You can pick it up by:
Walking barefoot in places such as communal swimming pools, showers, gyms and changing rooms
Not keeping your feet clean
Not drying between your toes
Wearing shoes that cause your feet to get hot and sweaty
Having athlete’s foot, where the infection can easily spread to the nail, or simply having a damaged nail can also increase your risk
Do fungal nail infections occur on both hands & feet?
Fungal nail infections tend to affect toenails far more than fingernails. This is because the feet are more often exposed to the kind of environments and surfaces where this type of infection thrives.
Who is most at risk from fungal nail?
Laser treatment
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 youâre not bothered by it you might decide itâs not worth treating because treatment can take a long time, may cause side effects, and isnât 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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Can You Use Fungal Nail Treatment While Pg 11
Artyparty · 17/07/2013 20:27
Someone told me I couldn’t but I’m fed up with ugly feet & desperate to get rid. Would they normally give you antibiotics at the docs? Or is the over the counter stuff the only option? I’ve had it for ages as either been pregnant or bf. Any tips gratefully welcomed.
Andanotherthing123 · 17/07/2013 20:52
Before I tried to conceive DC1 I used the tablets to get rid of it, but dr told me not to conceive, so that’s defo not safe. I think you can use the paint on solution stuff, but please don’t take my word for that and check with you dr.hope you find something that works!
okavango · 18/07/2013 03:06
I was advised not to use the paint etc while pregnant or breastfeeding I’m afraid. I am hiding my nails under varnish but long for nice feet too
trixymalixy · 18/07/2013 03:41
No, I had to put up with a fungal nail infection until I’d finished bfing. Done people on here swear by using Vicks to get rid of a fungal nail infection. Haven’t tried it myself.
retroelle · 18/07/2013 07:03
Would you go and get a pedicure if you had a nail fungus? I am pregnant and hiding a dodgy nail under nail varnish and am worried about when I can’t reach my feet any more!
Cornwall73 · 18/07/2013 08:15
Artyparty · 18/07/2013 08:20
Thanks girls- ill try the Vicks. I’ve had a few pedis retroelleand just apologised for the nails – needs must. God- looks like its going to be another year with mingling nails then!!
bornagaindomesticgoddess · 18/07/2013 08:23
The Best 5 Nail Fungus Treatments
We will give a certain caveat by saying that these creams and polishes should be safe if they are used while you are pregnant. However, there hasnt been a conclusive longitudinal study looking at the effect of topical medications for nail fungus while pregnant . Again, wed advise you to check with your doctor to see what their recommendation would be.
Then again, if the idea of topical medication isnt necessarily sounding safe to you, you can always try some low-stakes at-home remedies. Or, you could simply do your best to limit the spread of the infection until youve given birth.
Fungal nail infection is rarely an emergency , so giving your feet lots of breathing space and keeping them clean will stave off the spread of fungus until you can treat it with oral medication.
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What Causes Fungal Nail
Fungal nail is most commonly caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes which infect the nail and the nail bed. It is highly contagious and transmitted in places like shower cubicles, swimming pools and changing rooms where people are barefoot. Toenail fungus can also be transferred in nail salons where the same nail accessories are used for many customers. Furthermore, nail trauma can also increase the chances of developing a fungal nail infection.
Hydrogen Peroxide For Toenail Fungus
Hydrogen peroxide can also be applied to a foot soak to treat nail fungus. Hydrogen peroxide and baking powder has powerful antioxidant qualities.
This product requires careful management, however. Numerous rules surround the use of hydrogen peroxide, especially when pregnant.
- Never purchase a hydrogen peroxide solution stronger than 3%.
- Hydrogen peroxide must be diluted to a 50:50 ratio, minimum.
- Avoid exposing the feet or skin to this hydrogen peroxide foot soak longer than 30 minutes.
- Do not consume hydrogen peroxide orally.
Follow these steps, and hydrogen peroxide is beneficial for pregnant women with toenail fungus.
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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.