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How To Treat Yellow Nail Fungus

How Long Does Toenail Fungus Treatment Take

How to CURE Yellow Toenail Fungus & Toe Fungus [Remedies & Treatment]

This process may take up to a year for your nail to fully grow out the infected nail.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association says fingernails typically grow out in 4 – 6 months while toenails take can take 12 to 18 months.

However, the physical appearance might noticeably improve within a few months. Even if the physical appearance is better, donât stop treating the nail as reinfection is very possible.

What Is Black Toenail Fungus

If you have a dark, thick toenail, it could be toenail fungus, which is usually caused by a type of fungus called dermatophytes. It affects the toenail and the area beneath the nail and causes color changes, thickening, and abnormally shaped nails.

Its fairly common, with at least 12% of American adults diagnosed with it, according to Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. Older adults and people with diabetes, circulation problems, or a weakened immune system are more likely to have toenail fungus.

This infection doesnt usually go away on its own, and it can take a year or more to treat it with prescription medications. These are applied to the nail or taken in pill form.

Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide

Baking soda is an excellent natural exfoliating agent for stained yellow nails due to nail polish, and hydrogen peroxide can disinfect nails to help prevent infections. Together, these products have powerful bleaching ingredients to remove stains and help keep nailbeds healthy.

Use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide together for immediate results. But you should note that the potency of these two together can cause nails to become brittle if used more than once per month.

Directions:

  • Combine four tablespoons of baking soda and three tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide in a bowl of half a cup of warm water.
  • Mix well to dissolve the ingredients.
  • Soak your nails in the solution for five minutes.
  • Apply a gentle moisturizer to hands and nails once they are dry.

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Thick Yellow Toenail Symptoms

Thick yellow nails are caused by a fungus that gets under, around, or on top of the nail. Like any other fungus or bacteria, it takes time to grow, so one might not notice a problem until the growth is well under way.

Some earlier signs of fungus growth might be a slight scaling beneath the nail which has been named subungual hyperkeratosis, after which white or yellowish streaks appear on top of the nail which are called lateral onychomycosis if infection is starting at the corners or edges of the nail, then you might experience a crumbling and it is called distal onychomycosis which is the most common type of nail fungus.

These will eventually grow into something more sinister and will possibly result in the loss of the infected nail. As the fungus grows over time the infected nail will become more visually unappealing.

Thickening of the nail and yellow discoloration which will turn brown if left untreated is just the start of the growth cycle. Eventually the sufferer may experience a moist sticky substance around and under the nail which is often referred to as toe jam. Sounds pretty grim, but it can get worse, leading to foul smells akin to rotting meat.

How Effective Are Topical Treatments

How To Treat Toenail Fungus With Japanese Toenail Fungus ...

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.

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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.

Signs Of A Toenail Fungal Infection

  • Discolored toenails. Nails can be brown, black, white, or yellow. Usually a small area changes color at first and it slowly spreads.
  • Thickened toenails. Over time, the nail becomes thick, material builds up under the nail, and the nail can develop an irregular shape, grooves, or a crumbling appearance.
  • Affects one or more toenails. The fungus may spread to other toenails. The big toe is most commonly affected. The fungus can also occur in fingernails.
  • Starts at the end or side of the toenail. The infection gradually spreads toward the cuticle.
  • Usually painless unless there are skin changes or injury to the nail bed or if shoes press on the thick nail.
  • Athletes foot. Some people will also have skin fungus on their feet, which looks like red, peeling skin between the toes.

Dr. Rx

Patients may say that they are embarrassed to go to the pool or the beach, or they avoid wearing sandals. They describe their nails as thick, crumbling, and abnormally colored. One patient described their nails as looking like an animals horn, which is pretty accurate. But they are so thrilled when they see results from treatment! Dr. Anne Jacobsen

Read Also: How To Remove Fungus From Fingernails

Can A Nail Fungal Infection Be Prevented Or Avoided

Avoid situations that expose you to a fungus. This includes walking barefoot in locker rooms and having wet hands and feet often. This might be a problem for people who work in restaurants or house cleaning. People in a family can get nail fungal infections at the same time. This happens when their immune systems arent able to fight off the infection. Or it could be the infection is spread when using the same towels. It is important to routinely clean your shower, tub, and bathroom to lower risk of fungal infection.

How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus

Have Yellow Toenail Fungus? Get Rid Of Your Nail Fungus For Good With These Treatment Options

You can easily get rid of a fungal toenail infection with home remedies, especially if you detect it in early stages before it becomes serious. However, in some cases, your doctor may use other treatments and cures, including fungal medicines and toenail removal, to get rid of toenail fungus. The common effective home remedies and best treatments for toenail fungus are highlighted in the next sections.

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Possible Causes Of Yellow Nails

If your nails have been damaged by dyes or harsh products, new nail growth should be a healthy, clear color. If your nails continue to be yellow, there may be something else going on in your body. Sometimes having yellow nails can be an indication of something more serious. Vitamin or mineral deficiencies can cause nails to appear yellow, and introducing a multivitamin supplement to your regiment may stop the problem.

In some cases, nails that remain yellow despite repeated treatment can be a symptom of thyroid conditions, psoriasis, or diabetes. In rare situations, yellow nails can indicate the presence of skin cancer. A condition called yellow nail syndrome is indicated by continually yellow nails and respiratory or lymphatic problems.

What Causes A Fungal Nail Infection

Yeasts, moulds, and different kinds of fungi can cause fungal nail infections. Most are caused by the same type of fungus that causes athlete’s foot.

Fungi grow best in warm, moist places, and they can spread from person to person. You can get a fungal nail infection from walking barefoot in public showers or pools or by sharing personal items, such as towels and nail clippers. If you have athlete’s foot, the fungus can spread from your skin to your nails.

Read Also: How Can I Get Rid Of Foot Fungus

Treatments Available For Thick Yellow Toenails

Once you have realized there is a problem with your toenails the first step is to take away the environment that fungus likes to thrive. As previously mentioned, moist, warm, enclosed areas are perfect for the growth of fungus. Keep your feet as dry as possible and out in the open as often as possible.

Most importantly, apply a treatment that can cure this condition once and for all. So, lets now have a look at popular treatment options that you can try to treat the condition yourself.

Home Remedies Might Improve Your Condition But Rarely Solve The Problem

The first thing to start doing is grooming your toenails regularly. Keeping the nail short and well-manicured will limit the risk of fungus growing under the nail. If you find it difficult to groom the nails then you could apply creams to soften the nail first. Suggestions to soften the nails are applying urea cream before you go to bed and wearing a tube sock or bandage until the cream has soaked into the nails.

Snakeroot has become a popular home-based treatment because of its botanic origin and none pharmaceutical makeup. It goes by a number of names such as snakeweed, sangree root and pelican flower. It was reported by some patients affected by thick yellow toenails to decrease the symptom when it is smeared on the infected toe in extract form over a period of months. It should be noted that this plant has toxic qualities so make sure to avoid taking it orally at all costs.

Effective Over-The-Counter Treatments

Best Ways To Avoid Nail Fungus While Wearing Acrylic Nails

DIY Nail Fungus Remedy with Baking Soda &  Apple Cider ...

Acrylic nails will not come off the next day, they are likely to stay on the real nail for more than 6 weeks.

During this period, women need to be very careful, otherwise they may develop nail fungus. In this section I have shared some tips and suggestions to prevent the nail fungus.

  • Fungal infections can be genetic sometimes. If you feel that you can get skin or nail fungus, because of a genetic factor. Avoid acrylics, try to have simple nail polish manicures instead. They will be safe for you.
  • Do not let the salon use excess UV lights to fix the UV designs in place.
  • Do not use any allergic chemicals for the acrylic nail making.
  • First try on a single nail, if you do not observe any redness or reactions for the next ten minutes, then allow for the rest of the fingers.
  • When having acrylic nails, visit the saloon after every three weeks. They will fill the gaps between the real nail and the acrylic nails, otherwise fungal spores will start growing there.

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Nail Anatomy And Onychomycosis Infection

Figure 1 shows the composition of the nail, including the nail plate , nail bed and nail matrix.

Figure 1: Nail anatomy and physiology

The nail plate and nail bed are joined by layers of hard, translucent, keratinised cells. The nail bed and nail matrix are vascular components of the nail, with nail cells located within the nail matrix where the nail plate is formed. The thickness of the nail plate determines the length of the matrix

  • Apply cosmetic nail varnishes or artificial nails
  • Walk without footwear in public areas
  • Cut nails too short.

Best Way To Get Rid Of Nail Fungus From Under Acrylic Nails

Nail or skin fungus is an outcome of a weak immune system. A body that is not able to defend itself is more likely to face damage as a result of fungal spores. So, it is better to start the nail fungus treatment from within.

The best treatment for nail fungus is diet. Supplements are the best treatment. Probiotics packed source like the Urgent fungus destroyer is a pro at it. Why? Because it will work on the immune system, adding antioxidants to the body.

Moreover, most of the reliable probiotics come with multivitamins. Ascorbic acid, and vitamin E are essential to repair the nail. Another amazing thing about probiotics, is its ultimate result on overall health.

Nail fungus, if not treated on time, can lead to further health complications, and can affect the digestive system. Supplements will take care of such things.

As far as the fastest treatment is concerned, so the cold laser treatment for nail fungus is the fastest. However, for the nail fungus from acrylic nails it is better to go for the affordable treatments.

The cold laser treatment is quite expensive. It must only be considered when there is an emergency, or when prescribed by the doctors.

Talking about the topical creams, they are perfect when you are already taking some other medications such as supplements, try using an urgent fungus destroyer with an effective topical fungal cream to kill the nail fungus from acrylic nails.

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Symptoms Of Toenail Fungus

The most common symptom caused by a fungal nail infection is thickening of the nail. The nail may also become discolored. The nail may take up a white, black, yellow or green color. With the advancement of infection, the nail becomes brittle with small pieces of nails breaking off, or the nail may separate from the toe completely. If not given any attention, the skin underneath and around the nail swells up and becomes painful. The nail bed may show white and yellow patches. The skin around the nail may go scaly. The infected nail may give a foul smell. The skin around the nail may go scaly. The infected nail may give a foul smell.

nless the disease is severe, usually there are no other symptoms. Sometimes the body may have reaction to the fungus in skin region that is free from the fungus. These are called dermatophytids and they are manifested as a rash or an itch in a skin area that hasnt been affected by the fungus itself. You may think of dermatophytids as allergic reaction of the body to the fungus.

Toenail Fungus Treatment And Cure

How I Cured Yellow Toenail Fungus in 2 Months!

Various procedures and cures may be used to treat toenail fungus. Usually, the choice of the treatment depends on various factors, including severity and nature of the infection and whether previous treatments have failed to cure it.

The usual initial treatment may involve the use of over the counter or prescription toenail fungal medications. Another way of getting rid of a fungus toenail entails softening and scraping it.

However, severe cases of toenail fungus may require other medical interventions and cures such as laser therapy or complete removal the toenail. These procedures may also be used when other methods have failed to heal a fungal toenail infection.

Your doctor will always advise you on the best toenail fungus cure for you because there is no general best toenail fungus treatment. Rather, the appropriate treatment is done on the case by case basis.

1. Use of Toenail Fungus Medication

The common toenail fungus medications include both antifungal oral tablets and topical paint applications.

a) Antifungal Tablets

Antifungal tablets are taken orally once or twice per day for several months. Failure to complete your dosage may cause the infection to recur. The most common and best toenail fungus medications include:

The antifungal medications for toenail infection may cause some side effects, the common ones being headache, itching and diarrhea, rashes on body and loss sense of taste.

b) Antifungal Nail Paint or Polish

2. Softening and Scraping Away the Toenail

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Continue To Treat Your Nail As Your Doctor Recommends

Here at Strut Health, we treat stubborn toenail fungus with an expertly blended cream of topical antifungals, and steroids.

Our cream is compounded with a proprietary DMSO base blend that helps the active ingredients penetrate deep into the nail. Treating toenail fungus is hard, but our cream takes the guesswork out of the situation.

To see if this prescription toenail fungus medication is right for you, simply complete a questionnaire-based online doctor’s consultation.

If our doctors find youâre a good candidate for this treatment, weâll ship your prescription right to your door.

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