What Is Good For Toenail Fungus

Toenail Fungus Prescription Medications

Sometimes prescription medications are needed to treat a toenail infection that just wont go away with natural remedies or over-the-counter medication in a few months. In this case, prescription-strength antifungal medication can eradicate stubborn onychomycosis.

Topical medications often are effective in treating mild to moderate toenail fungus. Topical solutions may include medicated nail polishes or liquid medications. Loprox , Penlac , Kerydin , and Jublia are among the top prescription drugs for toenail fungus.

Oral medications can come in capsules, tablets, or liquid. Some common prescriptions are Diflucan , Lamisil , Onmel , and Sporanox .

Stop This Skin Infection In Its Tracks With These Over

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Verywell Health / Sabrina Jiang

Toenail fungus is a common fungal condition that often starts after a rash on the foot spreads to the nails. When mild, it looks like white and yellow spots growing under the nail beds. But if left untreated, the fungus can grow severely by hardening the nails and spreading to other toes.

The fungus often begins in the form of athlete’s foot between the toes or on the soles of the feet. At this stage, the fungal infection is easier to treat with over-the-counter medication. But Shari Lipner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, told Verywell Health toenail fungus can be difficult to treat because of how slow the nails grow. The more severe the toenail fungus, the thicker the nail, and the more nails involved makes it that much harder to treat the nails even with effective therapies, she says.

Diagnosing the fungal infection early is key to make treatments effective. Dr. Lipner recommends visiting a board-certified dermatologist to properly treat the infection if it grows to be too severe.

Here are a few of the best over-the-counter toenail fungus treatments on the market.

Is The Distortion Of Your Nails Due To Underactive Thyroid

Fungus nail infection can be caused by thyroid issues. In a small percentage of people this common foot condition is related to sub par or over working of thyroid gland in the body. The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland that sits low on the front of the neck. Its main function is to keep the body warm, keep the immune response at optimum levels and maintain metabolism.

Thyroid problems such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism may cause abnormality in nail shape, brittle nails or splitting of the nail bed from the nail plate and dry cuticles.

The reason this nail fungus like symptoms occur is that the thyroid hormone controls the strength with which our heart pumps blood. So stronger the contractions, the greater the amount of blood that will be supplied to body parts, such as the toes. Thus, when pumping are weaker they provide sluggish blood flow, the toes receive decreased amounts of oxygen, get cold and allow for an environment conducive for nail fungus.

Iodine is an important mineral for proper thyroid functioning. Your body uses iodine to make thyroid hormones. Deficiencies of Iodine are commonly found in Europe and Third World countries, where the soil and food supply dont have sufficient iodine levels.

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Who Suffers From Toenail Fungus

• Do you sweat a lot?
• Do you use a public pool or take communal showers at the gym?
• Do you regularly go to a nail salon to get a manicure or pedicure?
• Do you suffer from diabetes, malnutrition, a weak immune system, or have you smoked for a long time?

Unfortunately, if you answered yes to any of these questions, you are more likely to contract toenail fungus.

How To Prevent Toenail Fungus

Because fungi are everywhere , they can be present months before they find opportunities to strike and before signs of infection appear. By following certain precautions, including proper hygiene and regular inspection of the feet and toes, chances of the problem occurring can be significantly reduced.

• Regularly clean and dry feet to resist disease. Follow a strict regimen of washing the feet with soap and water.
• Change socks and hosiery daily and change out shoes on a regular basis.
• Clip toenails straight across so the nail doesnt extend beyond the tip of your finger or toenails.
• Wear socks that are made of synthetic fiber to wick away moisture. Cotton and wool socks dont wick away moisture as fast as synthetic fiber does. This can be helpful in denying a hospitable environment for the fungi to grow in.

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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.

Best Ways To Treat A Nail Fungus

Nail fungus can cause thick, discolored nails, and, for some patients, it can even be painful. An Internet search will bring up plenty of ways to treat the condition, but which ones are best? Dermatologist Dr. Christopher Hull discusses what nail fungus actually is, why its so hard to get rid of, and which treatments work best.

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Other Options For Toenail Fungus Infections

Removal of the toenail is only used when just one nail is infected, but it does work. Light therapy and lasers are also being studied as possible toenail fungus treatments. Laser therapy has shown promise when combined with oral or topical antifungals. A multicenter trial investigating the efficacy of a device, the Pinpointe FootLaser, is currently underway, so stay tuned to that.

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.

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Additional Tricks And Considerations

Even though these treatments are pretty great, there are a lot of other things that you can do in order to increase your chances and reduce the overall length of the treatment.

For example, it is very important to have proper foot hygiene. You will have to wash your feet regularly and dry them out. We suggest that you use the same towels for this purpose, and never interact with other parts of your body. This can lead to the spreading of the fungus. Disinfection of shoes and socks will also help. Lastly, make sure to wash your stuff on higher temperatures in order to kill the fungus that might’ve stayed.

It is especially important to keep proper toenail hygiene. Your nail clippers will have to be disinfected all the time with alcohol. Try to cut your toenails as often as possible, and cover them while outside. When you get back home, if the weather was rough, make sure to wash your feet once again and dry them out.

You will have to be very attentive during the summer as your feet will sweat and stink all the time. Going without socks will help a bit, but you will also have to wash your feet.

Lastly, you can use various antifungal sprays on your shoes and socks.

Tips And Precautions When Using Oregano Oil For Toenail Fungus Treatment:

• Patch test before trying regular treatments.
• Trim the nails and clean the nails before applying the treatment on nail fungus.
• Dry your feet and hands completely after showering.
• Keep the nails always dry to prevent the formation of fungus.
• Cut the nails short regularly.
• Avoid wearing shoes as much as you can. Try using flip flops often.
• Wear cotton socks to the nails breathe.
• Wash your socks regularly with hot water and soap.
• Dust some fungal powder before wearing socks.
• Avoid walking bare foot in public places, moist and damp areas.
• Dont share your footwear with others.

Are you going to try oregano oil for treating your nail fungus then share your experience with us in the comments section below. For more articles, stay tuned with our website.

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Preventive Measures To Check Toenail Fungus

• Dont share your socks and shoes.
• After touching infected nail, wash your hands properly.
• Make sure that the tools, you are using for the purpose of pedicure or manicure, are sterilized.
• Wear sandals or shoes in public pools and places.
• Dont bite the nails.
• Make use of anti-fungal powders or sprays.
• Instead of trimming your nails with your fingers, use a clean nail clipper.
• Change your socks daily.

New Study Proves Essential Oils Can Stop Nail Fungus In Its Tracks But Which Ones

Anyone whos suffered from a nail fungus infection knows that antifungal treatments simply dont work. Now theres a new study that shows what many in the integrative medicine community have known for years essential oils can stop nail fungus in its tracks, and for the long term.

The study, conducted by scientists from University of the Witwatersrand and Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa, was conducted to address a gap in formal clinical research into the use of essential oils in the treatment of fungal infections.

The study looked specifically at two kinds of parasitic fungi and how they reacted to different combinations of essential oils:

• Trichophyton mentagrophyte, responsible for nail fungal infections, tinea, athletes foot, ringworm and similar infections of the beard, skin and scalp.
• Candida albicans, responsible for candidiasis

Sandalwood, in combination with a range of other essential oils clearly emerged as the oil most effective at inhibiting trichophyton mentagrophyte. Rose geranium and German chamomile also received honourable mentions.

Following are the essential oil combinations that produced the most significant results in the trichophyton mentagrophyte study :

• Sandalwood and tea tree
• German chamomile and immortelle.

The researchers were clearly impressed with the effectiveness of Sandalwood, saying,

For those interested, the essential oil combinations that proved most effective in combating candida albicans were:

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How To Cure Toenail Fungus: Can Vinegar Help

This article was co-authored by Zora Degrandpre, ND. Dr. Degrandpre is a Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is also a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 19 testimonials and 87% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,091,166 times.

Nail fungus refers to a fungal infection that starts underneath your toenails. It could cause discoloration, thickening, or crumbling on one or more of your nails. This is a frustrating problem, so youll naturally want to get rid of nail fungus as soon as possible. One remedy you may have heard of is soaking your foot in vinegar to clear the infection. Vinegar is acidic, so it will kill bacteria and fungus.XResearch source However, this remedy has very limited success because the vinegar cant penetrate under the nail. You can try it if you want to, but visit a podiatrist for further treatment if you dont see any results in 2 weeks.

Home Treatments For Toenail Fungus Don’t Always Work

How long does it take to know if your home treatment remedy option has worked? It depends on the remedy and the severity of the fungal problem. While it usually takes 2 to 3 months for a toenail fungus infection to go away, it can take up to a year to completely heal. Most people will try at least 1 of the above home antifungal treatments before choosing to seek foot care from a professional.

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What Is The Outlook For Someone With Toenail Fungus

While toenail fungus is common, its usually not harmful. Symptoms mostly affect the look of your toenail.

Toenail fungus may spread to the skin between your toes or other areas of your body. When getting dressed, put your socks on first to reduce the chance of spread.

Treating toenail fungus takes a long time, and it doesnt always work. Even then, toenail fungus often returns. Discuss the pros and cons of treating toenail fungus with your provider to determine whats best for you.

Practicing good hygiene and foot care reduces the chance toenail fungus will come back. If you have diabetes, getting regular foot exams may help you address foot problems before they get serious.

Toenail Fungus Vinegar Soak: Does It Work And How To Do One

If you have an irritating foot or toenail fungus, you want it gone – ASAP.

And if you are someone who likes to try and take care of things yourself, you might be looking to alternative home remedies to make that foot fungus a thing of the past.

In this article, we will review the research to see if vinegar might be a viable option for podiatry fungus issues and teach you how to do a vinegar foot soak step-by-step.

But, there may only be so much a vinegar soak can handle, and ultimately if the fungus is severe, doesnât respond to a foot soak, or you have diabetes you are better off seeing a doctor for professional treatment.

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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.

Best Ointment: Fungi Nail Anti

• Infused with five oils for skin healing

• Easy-to-use brush applicator

• Only for mild infections

• Doesn’t heal the nail plate

Fungi Nail Antifungal Ointment uses an innovative design to address multiple forms of fungal infections one can find on their feet. Its wide-tip applicator applies the appointment on larger areas of the feet, such as the soles and in-between toes. Then the smaller applicator works to get around the nail cuticles and underneath the nail.

Once applied, the maximum-strength ointment kills the fungus with the active ingredients of zinc undecylenate and undecylenic acid to help treat toenail fungus. The ointment also soothes itching and burning that can come with an infection, all while healing the skin. For best results, apply twice a day to clean, dry feet.

The ointment also soothes itching and burning that can come with an infection, all while healing the skin. For best results, apply twice a day to clean, dry feet.

Active Ingredients: Zinc undecylenate 20% and Undecylenic acid 5% | Dose: Tube and brush applicator delivers the appropriate amount. Apply thin layer on affected area twice daily or as directed by a doctor. | Uses: Treats and prevents fungal infections fights athletes foot and ringworm

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+ Vitamins & Minerals To Help Overcome Toenail Fungus

In searching for a nail fungus cure, many people forget the most important one already in their possession: their immune system. Nail fungus lives under the nail plate, which can make it challenging for topical toenail fungus medication to reach it. However, one fighting force the fungus cant run away from is the bodys internal fungal killers the white blood cells. There are a number of vitamins and minerals you can consume that will boost weekend immune system function and strengthen nails which, in turn, will assist in eradicating the fungal infection.

For healthy clear nails, you will need to do a few things simultaneously will treating them to stimulate fungus free growth. Firstly, vitamins and minerals in your diet or as a supplement will promote nail growth. Specifically, keep a check for vitamin A, Niacin , Pantothenic acid vitamin C and vitamin E and biotin that nourish your nails and strengthen nails from the inside. Secondly, exfoliating your fungi infested nails will also remove dead cells.