What Gets Rid Of Toe Fungus

Treatment Options For Nail Fungus

Interviewer:

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.

Thick Black Toenail Fungus Treatment:

• Thick black toenail fungus treatment is best performed by trimming and reducing the nail.
• Studies show that the best way to heal this is to remove the loose and detached toenail. This means that the blood flow is not reaching the toenail.
• This can cause it to decay and atrophy and start to create a bad odor.

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.

Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Toe Fungus Forever

How To Treat Nail Fungus

Topical antifungal creams, oral antifungal prescriptions, and, in severe cases, removal of the nail. However, these medications and procedures can have serious side effects including pain, fever, diarrhea, fatigue, swelling, difficulty breathing, weight gain, liver damage, heart problems, and more.

Hoping to avoid health consequences, more and more patients are looking for ways to treat their nail fungus naturally at home.

Fungus Clear Pills 15 Billion Cfu Probiotic Supports Strong Healthy Natural Clear Nails Plus Eliminates Fungus 180 Capsules

• Fungus Clear: Improve toenail and overall nail heath with our premium Nail Health Probiotic formula.
• Fuel Your Nails: Our proprietary Probiotic Max formula has a potency 40 billion CFU for optimal nail health.
• Fight Off Nail Fungus: A unique blend of powerful Probiotics designed to help reclaim healthy nails, strength, and color from the comfort of home.
• Long Term Nail Health: For maximum benefit we recommend consistent use Fungus Clear. Our probiotic formula may promote immune system which will help improve nail health and strength.
• Usage: Contains 60 capsules which is 30-day supply or our premium probiotic supplement. Keep on the road to success by taking capsules one time per day. For best results take 20-30 minutes before a meal with an 8oz glass of water or as directed by your health care professional.

Recommended Reading: What Is Good To Treat Toenail Fungus

What Does It Mean When Toenail Fungus Turns Black

• Patients frequently ask us, what does it mean when toenail fungus turns black?
• There is a chance that this could be a black yeast or a black toenail fungus, but it is usually dry blood.
• This usually means that the toenail is getting thick and ripping away from the underlying skin.
• These small blood vessels called capillaries rupture and form dry blood underneath the toenail.
• As the toenail dies, the toenail will eventually turn black and die.

How Fungi Infect The Nail

Onchomycosis, or toenail fungal infection, is an invasion by a microscopic organism that thrives in warm, damp environments. Fungal spores are in the air, and they will grow if they land on a receptive surface like your toenail. They feed off the nail tissues, burrowing into the skin under the nail. Over time the nail thickens and may lift off the nail bed as fungal debris accumulates. Once your nail is raised off the nail bed, it won’t reattach, and a new nail won’t grow from that part of the nail bed. However, your nail will continue to grow from the root at the base.

Don’t Miss: Can Toenail Fungus Spread To Skin

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!

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.

You May Like: How To Treat Toenail Fungus Fast

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.

Ask About Antifungal Pills

If topical treatment isnt doing the trick, your doctor may prescribe one of the following antifungal pills:

• Fluconazole
• Itraconazole
• Terbinafine

How to use it: Antifungal pills work faster than medicine applied to the nails, the AAD says, but you should still expect a few months of consistent use, per your doctors instructions.

Stay updated on the latest science-backed health, fitness, and nutrition news by signing up for the Prevention.com newsletter here.

Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Fungus Grass

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.

So What Causes Toenail Fungus

You can catch toenail fungus in warm, moist places like a pool deck or gym locker rooms. If someone has an infection and walks barefoot on the surface before you, you can easily pick it up, the AAD says.

Having wet nails for long periods of time, like wearing sweaty shoes or soggy boots all day, can also cause toenail fungus.

Certain people are more likely to get toenail fungus than others. Youre more likely to deal with this type of infection if you meet the following criteria:

• You live in a hot, humid climate
• You have athletes foot
• Youve had a nail infection in the past
• You spend a lot of time barefoot
• You wear tight-fitting, closed toe shoes and you have sweaty feet
• You spend a lot of time in water

Ultimately, anyone can get toenail fungus, Dr. Goldenberg says. However, he sees it most commonly with athletes, people who go barefoot at the gym or swimming pool, and older patients.

Read Also: How To Heal Fungus Nails

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.

Is There Any Real Proof That It Works

Let’s get right to the point here… is there any proof that this stuff actually works? Because I’m sure a lot of people reading this have wasted a lot of time, patience and money trying things that simply turn out to be complete duds.

Does it really work?

Well… when it comes to the effectiveness of VICK’s specifically dealing with nail fungus, there unfortunately isn’t much research out there. That said, there is some…

A study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine in 2011 took a look at the effects of VICKS on 18 patients who were suffering from onychomycosis over a period of 48 weeks .

The results were measured in 3 ways. They measured its effectiveness as a cure both mycologically and clinically, as well as on a personal assessment by the patients themselves.

The results: 15 of the 18 patients, or a whopping 83%, showed positive effects. And… 5 of the patients, or 27.8%, had been cured based on mycological and clinical results after the 48 weeks were up. 10 patients, or 55.6%, had infections that cleared up partially and only 3 had no change.

All in all… pretty good results.

Lack of proof?

As stated, there really isn’t much information and research out there specifically on VICKS VapoRub’s effectiveness when it comes to this.

The study mentioned above definitely proves some effectiveness and has some positives, however there has been some criticism as to the way this study was conducted, which might make it carry a little less weight.

You May Like: Does Vicks Vapor Rub Help Toe Fungus

Do Vinegar Soaks Help Toe Fungus

In short, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest vinegar foot soaks can help you to get rid of fungal toenail infections over time and with repeated use.

However, there is no concrete clinical evidence to suggest that vinegar will definitely work, though some users do report that the treatment can work on mild cases of fungal infections. It is also a low-risk treatment, so it is unlikely to cause you any harm if you do decide to test out this home remedy.

Usually, your doctor will recommend using medication to treat toe fungus rather than relying on a home remedy.

There are two main types of medical treatment that are normally recommended for fungal nail infections: nail paints and tablets.

Amorolfine nail paint is available from our online pharmacy for the topical treatment of fungal toenail infections. The antifungal nail paint works by stopping the growth of fungus that causes infections. It also breaks down the fungi cells and removes the fungus as the nail grows out. Amorolfine is the cheaper generic version of the branded Curanail antifungal treatment.

Antifungal tablets like Terbinafine also treat fungal nail infections but have to be prescribed by a GP or nurse and may require an initial blood test before you start treatment.

Can Black Socks Because Of Toenail Fungus

• In some ways, black socks can cause toenail fungus.
• If the socks are occlusive and make you sweat more, this could create a good environment for black toenail fungus to flourish.
• But if some of the pieces of the black sock get caught underneath the toenail, this is not officially the fungus exclamation part.
• The first thing we would do is try to trim the toenail and make sure the small fibers of the black sock are not getting caught underneath the toenail.

Read Also: How To Cure Yellow Toenail Fungus

Why Does Vinegar Soak Work

The idea behind vinegar foot soaks is relatively simple: vinegar is acidic, which gives it antifungal and antibacterial properties.

To explain a bit further, vinegar is a diluted form of acetic acid . As a result, it is an antifungal agent meaning it slows down the growth of some types of foot fungus and may kill fungus entirely.

It might also make your body less hospitable to fungus because the acidity affects the pH level of your skin. This makes fungal overgrowth and infection much more unlikely.

Its worth noting though, that there is no scientific evidence that shows vinegar soaks is a reliable method for treating toenail fungus.

Mayo Clinic Q And A: Toenail Fungus Often Difficult To Eliminate Completely

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What causes toenail fungus, and what can be done to treat it? Is it contagious?ANSWER: Toenail fungus is an infection thats usually caused by a microscopic organism called dermatophyte fungus. These infections can be contagious, and they are often difficult to eliminate completely. Fortunately, for most healthy adults toenail fungus doesnt pose any serious health risks.

Toenail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail. As the infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. Fungal infections are more likely to happen in your toenails than in your fingernails because toenails often are confined in a dark, warm, moist environment inside your shoes where fungi can thrive. Toes also have less blood flow than fingers, making it harder for your bodys immune system to detect and stop the infection.

The older you are, the more likely you are to get toenail fungus. Thats because as you age, your immune system changes. In addition, your nails become more brittle and drier over time, creating more cracks where fungus can live.

You may see ads publicizing laser treatments for toenail fungus. I usually dont recommend them. They tend to be quite expensive, and at this time most medical insurance does not cover that type of treatment.

Also Check: How Do I Know If I Have Foot Fungus

Soak Your Feet In Vinegar

Heres another pantry item that can deliver optimal results for toenail fungal infections. According to Hayag, applying white vinegar to the fungal-infected areas can prove worthwhile, thanks to its antibacterial properties.

Similar to oregano oil, applying white vinegar topically on fungus-infected toenails has some anecdotal evidence that supports its antibacterial benefits. Soak your foot in one part vinegar to two parts warm water for up to 20 minutes daily, she suggests, saying that this can help with the fungus, help with just the discoloration, or it may not help at all, depending on how your toes react.

Black Under Toenail Symptoms:

The most common symptom of black toenail fungus is that initially, toenail fungus develops.

• After toenail fungus develops, a thicker toenail usually takes up more room in the sock and shoe.
• As this happens, the toenail can catch on her shoes or socks and start to rip away from the skin.
• This gradually forms debris and dirt that forms under the tip of the nail. This then forms a callus in the nail that starts to rub the way more and more.
• Eventually, the toenail starts to turn black when small little blood vessels called capillaries are ripped away from the toenail.
• This creates bleeding between the toenail and the skin.
• As this blood starts to dry, it quickly turns black and forms a scab between the toenail and the skin.
• As this gets thicker, it forms thick black toenail fungus.
• The toenail eventually can turn completely back as it dies.

Read Also: Can Bad Toenail Fungus Be Cured