Other Oral Medications That Are Available To Treat Toenail Fungus
Oral fluconazole for toenail fungus treatment
Oral fluconazole is another pill sometimes used to treat toenail fungus. But its not a great alternative to terbinafine and itraconazole. Its not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for this use, and it doesnt work as well in head-to-head comparisons. Not only that, it needs to be taken once a week for at least 3 to 6 months.
Noxafil for toenail fungus treatment
A new medication used in the treatment of toenail fungus is posaconazole , a liquid taken by mouth. Noxafil appears to be an effective option, but the cost makes it difficult for anyone to afford.
What Is A Fungal Infection
Fungus, plural fungi is a class of organisms with over 144,000 known species. Fungus holds great importance for the environment and medical sector. Fungi are considered as one of the most widely distributed organisms worldwide Some are found free-living in soil or water others from parasitic or symbiotic relationships with plants or animals. Some common examples of fungi include Mushroom, mildews and mold. However, not all types of fungi are harmful but some can cause severe suffering for human beings and other living organisms.
Fungal infections are common all over the world and it only occurs when an invading fungus captures over the human body and the immune system of human is too weak to combat. Fungi are populated in our environment and are found flying freely in the atmosphere, they also divide and reproduce in the tiny spores that are present in the air. These fungi that are not visible to eh naked eye can enter into the human body through our respiratory system and can land inside to form a parasitic relationship within our lungs, throat, liver or any other hospitable part of the body causing a severe infection. In some cases, fungi also attack the intestines or the genital area of the human body causing severe hazard to health however, almost all the infection caused by fungus are curable with proper care and treatment.
Preventative Steps To Take
While you cant always help your risk factors for toenail fungus, there are some preventive steps you can take:
- Bring your own sterilized instruments, such as nail clippers, to a nail salon.
- Keep your toenails short and clean to prevent nail trauma that can lead to cracking. If you have difficulty trimming your own toenails, your doctor may recommend seeing a podiatrist to help.
- Dont share personal care items like fingernail clippers or pumice stones with another person.
- Throw away or treat potentially infected footwear.
- Wear clean socks and wash socks after use.
- Wear sandals when walking in a locker room, public shower, or any other places where fungus is likely to grow.
Toenail fungal infections have a high rate of recurrence, even after youve treated them. Thats why its important to couple treatment measures with preventive ones to give yourself the best chance for keeping your toenails healthy in appearance.
Recommended Reading: What Happens If Toenail Fungus Goes Untreated
What To Watch For When Taking Oral Medication For Toenail Fungus Treatment
All of the pills for toenail fungus can cause liver toxicity. This is rare and is reversible after the medication is stopped. Still, liver function blood testing will be done before you start your treatment and again midway through your treatment.
Medications like Terbinafine and Itraconazole can also interact with certain drugs. Your healthcare provider will look at your medication list to make sure there arent any drug interactions.
Epidemiology Of Toenail Fungus
The occurrence of onychomycosis has been reported 23% across Europe and 20% in East Asia. In north America the statistics are found to be 14%, with fungal infections constituting the 50% of nail related diseases. Since this infection is contagious and can be transmitted directly or by using the belongings of an infected person, this serves as the reason for such wide spread rate of this infection.
Recommended Reading: What Causes Toenail Fungus Home Remedies
How Do You Know If You Have Toenail Fungus
Your best bet is to get your toenails looked at by your trusty podiatrist. If you see any of the signs weve mentioned, just make an appointment for an evaluation. Since the infection will usually spread, youre better safe than sorry.
Detecting it early also improves the chances for the treatment to do its thing and keep it from moving onto other nails or your skin.
Prevention And Treatment Of Toenail Fungus
Once its taken hold, toenail fungus can be hard to kick. Here are some techniques for the prevention and treatment of toenail fungus.
Anyone who enjoys wearing open-toed sandals in the summer knows how good it feels to have healthy-looking toenails. But good looks arent the only reason to keep your toenails in top shape. Fungal infections of the toenails also known as onychomycosis don’t go away on their own, and if left untreated, the fungus will spread and can eventually destroy the nail.
If you have comprised blood flow, theres even more reason to safeguard your toenails, since youll have trouble healing, says Ami Sheth, a doctor of podiatric medicine in Los Gatos, California, and a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association. And once you have a wound, you can get fungal skin infections, which can lead to a subsequent bacterial infection if the skin breaks down, notes Dr. Sheth.
However, because toenail fungal infections are typically painless, people are often unaware that they have a problem unless they are inspecting their feet regularly.
RELATED: 11 Tips for Good Diabetes Foot Care
Recommended Reading: How To Remove Nail Fungus Instantly
Lemon Essential Oil For Toenail Fungus
Lemon essential oil is also a great treatment for toenail fungus. It has citric acid.
This will change the pH of the toenail many fungi cannot survive in an acidic environment. It will ultimately kill the toenail fungus.
How to use it?
You can apply the essential lemon oil to treat toenail fungus. Mix the lemon oil with a carrier oil and it is ready to be applied on the toenail fungus.
It can be mixed with coconut oil if it is the door of the infected nail that irritates you.
So, here is the best essential oil of Lemon to kill toenail fungus.
Hywean Toenail Fungus Nail Treatment
The Hywean Toenail Fungus Nail Treatment uses a four-step method to ensure effective treatment of nail fungus and complete recovery of the affected tissue.
What we like: The Hywean Nail Treatment system is very easy to use and often starts to show results in as little as two or three weeks. If the infection is not severe, your nail may be completely clear in eight weeks.
Flaws: Does a good job on less serious cases. Not so great on long-simmering cases.
Don’t Miss: What Kills Fungus In Toenails
Terbinafine For Toenail Fungus Treatment
The best pill for toenail fungus is terbinafine. Evidence suggests it works better than the alternatives with the fewest side effects. Terbinafine results in resolution of toenail fungus 76% of the time. Common side effects may include headaches, skin rash, and vomiting. It is taken once a day for 6 to 12 weeks.
How To Nail Fungus Tea Tree Oil Nail Fungus Control
Nail Fungus With Black Fibers Vinegar Treat Toenail Fungus What Is Good For Fungus Nail. Self Cure Toe Nail Fungus Treatments For Skin Fungus In My Dog. Can You Burn Off Toenail Fungus Can I Use Bleach On Toenail Fungus. How Much Vinegar To Kill Toe Nail Fungus Indian Madision For Nail Fungus.
Do Antifungal Sprays Kill Toenail Fungus Fungus On Child S Fingernail. Toe Nail Fungus Severe My Big Toenail Doesnt Grow Anymore Because Of Nail Fungus Homereamidies For Toenail Fungus. Cures For Toenail Fungus Apple Cider Vinegar No Nat Salve For Toe Fungus.
Also Check: Can You Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus With Bleach
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.
There are further benefits to a vinegar soak. It could remove dry, cracked or dead skin cells from your feet. Its also thought that giving your feet a vinegar bath could help tackle other fungal infections, like athlete’s foot.
But will vinegar kill toenail fungus? Theres no concrete clinical evidence to suggest that soaking feet in 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. You could also use Loceryl 5% nail lacquer, which is a prescription treatment you apply directly to your infected nail.
Luxuriate In Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is known for being incredibly calming for the senses, sure, but its also a great option for calming toenail fungal infections. According to a study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, lavender provides a powerful antifungal punch. Lavender essential oil shows a potent antifungal effect against strains of fungi that are responsible for toenail fungus and other skin fungal infections, Hayag explains. When using lavender oil to treat toenail fungus, it is best to apply one to two drops of lavender oil to the affected nail and allow it to soak for 10 minutes. After soaking, she suggests gently scrubbing the area with a clean toothbrush and repeating the process daily until the infection has been resolved.
Recommended Reading: How Get Rid Of Fungus On Toenails
How Do Dermatologists Treat A Fungal Nail Infection
Treatment usually begins with your dermatologist trimming your infected nail, cutting back each infected nail to the place where it attaches to your finger or toe. Your dermatologist may also scrape away debris under the nail. This helps get rid of some fungus.
To completely get rid of the infection, most people also need one or more of the following treatments:
Medicine you apply to the nail: If you have a mild infection, a medicine that you apply to your nails may get rid of the infection. This treatment helps keep new fungus out while the nails grow. Fingernails typically grow out in four to six months. Toenails take longer, usually takes 12 to 18 months.
Probably the most difficult part of this treatment is remembering to use it as often as prescribed. Some treatments must be applied every day. Others you apply once a week. To get the best results, its essential that you apply these medicines exactly as directed.
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the following medicines that you apply to the nail to treat nail fungus:
-
Amorolfine
-
Efinaconazole
-
Tavaborole
Side effects from these medicines are generally mild. Possible side effects include redness and swelling, an ingrown toenail, and stinging or burning when you apply the medicine. In clinical trials, none of these side effects caused patients to stop using the treatment.
The FDA has approved the following systemic medicines to treat nail fungus:
-
Fluconazole
-
Itraconazole
-
Terbinafine
Who Needs A Toenail Fungus Treatment
According to the CDC some 14% of American adults need a toenail fungus treatment. Thats how many Americans are thought to have toenail fungus. In numerical terms, thats nearly 35 million people, just in the US. Many of these folks do not realize over the counter remedies exist and that some of them are quite effective.
If you notice even a tiny spot of yellow-greenish discoloration along the ridge of your toenail you should start treatment immediately. The sooner you catch the infection, the easier it will be to eradicate it. If you wait until it has taken over your nail and the nail is falling apart, you may be in for an extended period of treatment.
Also Check: Is Tea Tree Oil Good For Fungus
How Do I Know If I Have A Fungal Nail Infection
Because other infections can affect the nail and mimic symptoms of a fungal nail infection, the only way to confirm a diagnosis is to see a doctor. Theyll take a scraping of the nail and look under a microscope for signs of fungus.
In some cases, your doctor may send the sample to a lab for analysis and identification.
Over-the-counter products arent usually recommended to treat nail infections since they dont provide reliable results. Instead, your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication, such as:
- terbinafine
What Toenail Fungus Treatment Is Available
So youre wondering how to treat toenail fungus. Until relatively recently, toenail fungus treatment has been limited to topical anti-fungal creams/nail lacquer and oral medication. Theyve had some success but come with many downsides.
The antifungal cream/lacquer has the lowest success rate. Unless you have mild toenail fungus, it will likely not be able to reach the infection in or under the nail. Prescribed oral medications work better but have medical risks and react with other prescription drugs.
Side effects may include elevated liver enzymes that can lead to liver failure, headaches, stomach discomfort, loss of taste, and lupus-like symptoms.
Both topicals and oral meds require long-term applications and topicals can get quite expensive. Topical antifungals can take up to a year to show results. With oral medication, you may need to take up to a four-month course.
Another treatment option is to have your entire nail surgically removed. This, however, hasnt proven to be successful.
Since these treatments are lacking, people began looking for toenail fungus alternative treatments. Enter laser therapy. Studies show its success in clearing fungal infection and so it was FDA cleared and began to be a top-pick in treating toenail fungus.
Don’t Miss: How To Cure Fungus On Hands
Why Are Spices Good For Health And Toenail Fungus
Before we study each spice separately, it would be better to let you understand how useful spices are. Here we have given a general account about spices as many people doubt their value.
Cure inflation
According to researches, spices are great in tackling the issue of inflammation. Herbs and spices, like mint, and cinnamon are great to cure any kind of inflammation in your body. As toenail fungus can also cause inflammation on your thumb thus, it would be wise to add these spices to your diet.
Moreover, ginger is also an anti-inflammatory spice, you can use it in powder form to fight inflammation.
Phytochemicals
These spices that would be discussed later contain phytochemicals that are good for the overall health. These are known to treat inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and inhibit the production of cancerous cells.
Regulates hormones
As hormones, such as androgens, cortisol, and other stress hormones make our bodies receptive for the toenail fungus and other skin infections, thus it is necessary to take food that can help regulate hormone production. Spices and herbs are quite efficient in doing so.
Why Does It Work A Look At The Ingredients
In order to answer the question of why does VICKS work?… we first need to take a look at the ingredients it contains.
It has some proof of working, so what it is exactly that makes it effective?
The ingredients included in the normal VICKS VapoRub include the following:
Active Ingredients
- Used commonly for pain relief, anti-irritant, against coughs, and yes… even as an antifungal.
- Reduces pain and swelling and increases blood flow when applied topically.
- 2014 study published in the journal Biological Research shows it does indeed have antifungal activity, although not particularly when dealing with toenail fungus. It has been shown to inhibit growth of fungi better than other essential oils.
Inactive Ingredients
- Turpentine oil
You May Like: What Is A Home Remedy For Toenail Fungus
How Is Toenail Fungus Treated
Toenail fungus is notoriously tricky to treat. You may need to treat the condition for several months to get rid of the fungus. Still, toenail fungus often comes back.
A dermatologist or podiatrist can explain your treatment options. If you have a mild case that doesnt bother you, your provider may recommend no treatment.
Toenail fungus treatment options include:
- Oral antifungal medication: You take prescribed medication, such terbinafine , itraconazole and fluconazole , to treat the fungi. You will need to take this medication every day for several months . Your provider may use blood tests to check for potential medication side effects. These medications can affect the liver and interact with other medications, so oral antifungals are not for everyone.
- Topical medication: You regularly apply a medication right on the nail. The medication treats the fungi over time. Topical medications are most effective when paired with oral medications.
- Laser treatments: Your provider directs a high-tech laser beam and special lights at the toenail to treat the fungus. Lasers are FDA approved for temporary increase of clear nail in nail fungus but is not a cure. Cure rates for laser treatment are lower than oral and topical mediations so they are not typically used as first-line treatments for nail fungus.