What Is The Best Otc Toenail Fungus Treatment

Funginix Finger And Toe Treatment

Funginix Healthy Nail Formula uses the known antifungal undecylenic acid to address nail fungi and send them on their way. There is also tea tree oil along with lavender oil to promote healing and restore nail integrity.

What we like: The one-two antifungal combination of undecylenic acid and tea tree oil does an effective job reclaiming your nails. At the same time, the other ingredients make sure that the new nail tissue is durable and attractive.

Flaws: Those with stubborn infections will need to be patient.

What Other Information Should I Know

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

The Best Nail Fungus Treatments

And if you do end up with a nail fungal infection? The bad news is that it can be challenging to completely banish it the infections are often persistent and even if they are effectively treated, can often have high recurrence rates, explains Dr. Stern.

The other tricky part is that the infection needs to be diagnosed properly, and comparing your nail situation to your Google search isn’t the way, she says. Not every nail problem is caused by a fungus some conditions may appear similar, such as nail psoriasis and nail trauma, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. Derms have the expertise to determine what’s causing your nail problem and to recommend the right treatment, including various oral and topical medications that could be highly effective.

While it’s best to get a diagnosis from a professional, if you are traveling or simply don’t have time to book an appointment with your derm right now, there are many over-the-counter anti-fungal ointments and creams that can treat fungal nail infections, says Dr.Chen. The catch? If you don’t see improvement after two months for fingernails or four months for toenails, see a dermatologist, advises Dr. Stern.

Recommended Reading: How To Treat Nail Fungus On Hands

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.

What Is The Best Home Remedy For Toenail Fungus

Self-care and body awareness can be key in keeping toenail fungus at bay. Wash feet with warm soapy water and pat completely dry to reduce the spread or growth of fungus on the feet. Allow feet to breathe when possible. Protect your feet and wear breathable shoes and clean socks. Change socks regularly and wash in hot water if you are struggling with toenail fungus. Over-the-counter antifungal powders used for treating athlete’s foot can also be used for treating mild cases of toenail fungus.

Avoid nail polish and pedicures that use polish or nail plate coatings. Even though you may want to conceal the discolored or warped look of an infected toenail, allowing maximum air circulation to the nail and skin of the toes is best.

Read Also: How Can I Get Rid Of Toe Fungus

What Causes Fungal Nails And What Are Some Of The Risk Factors

In normal, healthy people, fungal infections of the nails are most commonly caused by fungus that is caught from moist, wet areas. Communal showers, such as those at a gym or swimming pools, are common sources. Going to nail salons that use inadequate sanitization of instruments in addition to living with family members who have fungal nails are also risk factors. Athletes have been proven to be more susceptible to nail fungus. This is presumed to be due to the wearing of tight-fitting, sweaty shoes associated with repetitive trauma to the toenails. Having athlete’s foot makes it more likely that the fungus will infect your toenails. Repetitive trauma also weakens the nail, which makes the nail more susceptible to fungal infection.

Elderly people and people with certain underlying disease states are also at higher risk. Anything that impairs your immune system can make you prone to getting infected with the fungus. These include conditions such as AIDS, diabetes, cancer, psoriasis, or taking any immunosuppressive medications like steroids.

The Most Common Types Of Nail Fungus

The most common type of nail fungus is known as distal subungual onychomycosis, and is caused by a fungi known as a dermatophyte, says Dr. Chen. It can show up on fingernails or toenails, and manifests as a yellow-ish area on the nail that can ultimately lead to splitting, crumbling, or even separation of the nail from the skin as it gets worse, she says. It’s also worth noting that this is the same fungi that causes athlete’s foot, a fungal infection that can spread from the skin to the nail, adds Dr. Stern.

White superficial onychomycosis is the second most common it leads to white spots on the surface of the nail, which can ultimately spread to resemble a white chalky powder covering the entire nail, says Chen. )

Read Also: How To Take Fungus Off Toenails

Nonyx Fungal Nail Treatment

Nonyx Fungal Nail Treatment is a potent anti-fungal nail treatment that has been shown to get dependable results for most people. The Nonyx formula works slow, but it does work in most cases.

What we like: Nonyx relies on a safe and effective combination of deionized Water, ethanoic Acid, and xanthan gum. A formula that has been shown through rigorous scientific analysis to have robust antifungal capabilities.

Flaws: If you put it on after a bath or shower, make sure your feet are completely dry.

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.

Recommended Reading: What Gets Rid Of Fingernail Fungus

Best Product To Prevent Athletes Foot

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.

Does Peeing On Your Feet Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus

Because of the fact that human urine contains urea, some say that urinating on your feet can treat fungal nail diseases such as athlete’s foot and jock itch.

However, the amount of urea in the urine is not large enough to kill the fungal nail disease.

Therefore, it can be said that peeing on your feet cannot get rid of toenail fungus. If you are looking for a way to treat your toenail fungus, consider using some ointment, antifungal creams, or lotions.

You can also try oral medications to treat toenail fungus.

Don’t Miss: How Do I Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus Quickly

What The Experts Say

The most common presentation of toenail fungus is a white/yellow discoloration of the nail that is thick and filled with yellow/white keratin debris. 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.” Orit Markowitz, MD, founder and CEO of OptiSkin treatment center in New York City.

How Do I Choose The Best Over

Usually, the best over-the-counter nail fungus treatments contain antifungal ingredients and come in nail lacquer form. You may also get results from over-the-counter remedies that contain herbal treatments, such as tea tree oil. Some people also report that topical ointments that contain camphor may help. Unfortunately, however, many over-the-counter nail fungus treatments fail to get rid of nail fungus completely, so a person may get better results from prescription medication.

Among the best over-the-counter nail fungus treatments are antifungal nail lacquers that can be painted directly on the affected nail. Usually, you use this type of treatment by painting it on the affected nail every day until a new nail grows in that is free of the fungus. Most over-the-counter nail fungus treatments of this type also include instructions for painting a little of the lacquer on the skin immediately surrounding the affected nails. This may help prevent the spread of the fungus.

Nicoleâs thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focusesprimarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending timewith her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Don’t Miss: How To Use Vicks For Toenail Fungus

What Is The Best Medication For Toenail Fungus

Below is a list of the most recommended prescription treatment for toenail fungus.

Dosage is determined by your doctor based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and age. Other possible side effects exist. This is not a complete list. A very rare side effect can be trouble breathing if this occurs, seek immediate emergency medical attention.

What Tests Might I Have For Toenail Fungus

Your provider will probably take a small sample from underneath your nail to further analyze it. Viewing the cells under a microscope can confirm a toenail fungus diagnosis. If the initial test is negative, a scraping can be sent to see if the fungus grows out in a culture. It also helps your provider identify the type of fungus.

Don’t Miss: What Is The Best Otc Toenail Fungus Medicine

Boots Fungal Nail Treatment Solution: The Best Fungal Nail Treatment To Try If Excilor Doesn’t Work

Price: £18 | Buy now from Boots

Boots’ own anti-fungal nail treatment is easy to use as Excilor: simply brush it on twice a day for four weeks, by which time you should be able to see the new nail growing out, clean and healthy. It relies on the antimicrobial chemical pentylene glycol, rather than the more commonly used antifungal amorolfine, so you may actually find it works better for you, depending on the type of infection you have.

Key specs Size: 4ml Format: Liquid Active ingredient: Pentylene glycol

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.

You May Like: Is Black Mold A Fungus

What Oral Medications Are Available

To treat fungal nail infections from inside the body, you can take tablets that inhibit the growth of fungi or kill them. They are all prescription-only. Terbinafine and itraconazole are typically used for this purpose.

• Terbinafine is preferred if the nail fungus is caused by a skin fungus . This is usually the case.
• Itraconazole is generally used if the nail infection is caused by yeast or mold.

Itraconazole and terbinafine tablets can both be taken either continuously or with breaks between treatments. But they are used differently:

Treatment Failure And Relapse

• References

Rates of treatment failure can be extracted from published trials, but data on relapse are less readily available. Post-treatment follow-up is long, drop-out rates in many studies are significant or unreported, and most studies have not allowed crossover of treatment regimens. Furthermore, especially in outcomes of clinical improvement , evaluation criteria have not been standardized and often include subjective assessments that are difficult to quantify. Published studies have not specifically addressed the management of treatment failures or relapse.

Despite these difficulties, several measures may be helpful in managing unsuccessful treatment or relapse. The first step is to confirm mycology. If the initial diagnosis was based on a KOH preparation alone, culture of properly collected specimens is mandatory. Culture reports often identify multiple organisms, including possibly nonpathogenic molds, and treatment should be directed at the organism most likely to be causative. A microbiology or infectious disease consultation may be valuable in interpreting the culture report.

Of note, there has been some concern about evolving drug resistance among fungal pathogens, particularly with the widespread use of systemic fluconazole therapy to treat oropharyngeal and recurrent vaginal candidiasis.5 However, the impact of antifungal resistance on the treatment of onychomycosis is not yet clear.

Don’t Miss: How Do You Get Rid Of Fungus On Your Skin

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.

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.

Don’t Miss: Does Vicks Vaporub Kill Toenail Fungus

Which Treatment Is Right For Me

Nail fungus is usually harmless. But many people find discolored or thickened nails unpleasant to look at and want to get rid of the fungus as soon as possible. Fungal nail infections can also spread, and may infect other people. Regardless of the treatment you choose, it will take a while until the nail looks normal again. Its especially important to be patient where toenails are concerned. It can take a year for a healthy big toenail to grow back. Nail fungus can sometimes be very persistent despite treatment. It can also come back after successful treatment.

Topical treatment isnt likely to get rid of a fungal nail infection. Treatment with tablets is considerably more effective and takes less time. But some people cant take tablets because of the very rare, yet serious risks. How you feel about the pros and cons of the different treatment options is a personal matter. You can also discuss the options with your doctor.

How Effective Are Tablets In Treating Nail Fungus

Tablets for the treatment of nail fungus have been tested in several studies. All participants had an infection on their toenails caused by a skin fungus. Overall, the study results showed that tablets are considerably more effective than nail polishes or creams.

One year after a three-month treatment with terbinafine:

• About 17 out of 100 people who didnt have this treatment no longer had a detectable fungal nail infection.
• About 76 out of 100 people who had this treatment no longer had a detectable fungal nail infection.

In other words, the treatment with terbinafine got rid of the fungal infection in about 59 out of 100 people.

Itraconazole also proved to be effective. After one year,

• 7 out of 100 people who didnt have this treatment no longer had a detectable fungal nail infection.
• About 43 out of 100 people who had this treatment no longer had a detectable fungal nail infection.

In other words, the treatment with itraconazole got rid of the fungal infection in about 36 out of 100 people.

Some studies directly compared itraconazole and terbinafine with each other. They confirm that terbinafine is somewhat more effective than itraconazole.

Treatment with breaks is thought to be about as effective as continuous treatment. But that has only been looked into in a few studies.

Recommended Reading: How To Cover Up Nail Fungus