There Is A Wide Range Of Options With Varying Success Rates
Other than keeping your toenails trimmed and perhaps painted, you may not pay much attention to them unless a problem develops. Healthy toenails are pink, shiny and smooth, but a fungal infection can cause them to become discolored, thick, brittle and even painful.
Toenail fungal infection, known as onychomycosis, is a common but challenging condition toenail fungus treatments include a wide range of options with varying success rates.
Causes of toenail fungus
Fungal nail infections are usually caused by fungi called dermatophytes that infect the skin beneath the nail yeast is another common culprit. Toenails are especially vulnerable to infection when your bare feet contact damp surfaces such as showers, swimming pools and locker rooms. If you have athletes foot, the infection can spread to the nails.
Wearing closed shoes such as athletic shoes for extended periods also can contribute to infection if your shoes and/or socks are damp from perspiration or heat. Moreover, if your shoes fit snugly enough to put pressure on your toes, they can damage the nail bed, making it more susceptible to infection.
People with chronic diseases, such as diabetes or circulatory problems, also may be more prone to toenail infections.
Symptoms of toenail fungus
Toenail fungus symptoms can develop slowly over time and may go unnoticed at first. Symptoms can include:
Toenail fungus treatments
- Tolnaftate
- Terbinafine
When to see a doctor for toenail fungus
Preventing toenail fungus
How Are Fungal Nails Treated
Traditionally, fungal toenails are treated with a combination of oral medications and topical creams and gels the condition is a bit more serious oral medications are used because they have proven to be very effective. The most commonly prescribed medication, which has been effective is Lamisil otherwise known as terbinafine. However, National Foot & Ankle Center offers innovative laser treatments to destroy the fungus and restore the toenails to health. Photodynamic therapy or laser therapy has also shown to be an effective treatment and uses the application of a special light-activated agent or uses a laser to target the affected tissue without damaging the healthy skin. Laser treatment provides quicker resolution of the fungal infection, typically in between 1 and 4 treatments, depending on the severity of the fungal infection. National Foot & Ankle Center provides customized treatment plans for each patient to address his or her specific needs.
What Is The Treatment For Fungal Nails
Oral antifungal therapy has a high cure rate, depending on the medication. It can take nine to 12 months to see if it has worked or not, because that is how long it takes for the nail to grow out. Even when therapy works, the fungus may come back. Currently, an oral antifungal therapy is considered the best treatment for toenail fungus because of higher cure rates and shorter treatment duration compared to topical therapy.
Prescription oral medications that are effective against nail fungus include the following:
There are several innovative treatments that are still being tested:
- Laser therapy or uses application of light-activated agents onto the nail followed by shining light of a proper wavelength on the nail.
- Use of electrical current to help absorption of topical antifungal medications into the nail: This is also called iontophoresis.
- Use of a special nail lacquer that changes the micro-climate of the nail to make it inhospitable for the fungus to grow: If this works, it may be an inexpensive way to treat this problem in the future.
One way to definitively get rid of toenail fungus is by surgery. Surgical treatment of onychomycosis involves nail removal. However, this often only provides temporary relief, and recurrence is common unless additional antifungal medication is simultaneously used. However, surgical removal may be warranted when the affected nail is associated with other factors such as trauma and or infection.
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Nutrition Hacks Fungus Hack Pills For Nail Fungus
Only an infected person can tell you how hard it is to kill the toenail fungus. The fungus is on of the toughest organism in the world.
However, the fungus killing supplements like the Nutritions Hack Fungus Hack can help.
Ingredients of Nutrition Hacks Fungus Hack
It has eight main ingredients. Each one of them is going to work on the immunity of the infected person.
Let us have a look at the ingredients of the Fungus hack.
Caprylic acid and digestive enzymes
The caprylic acid is one of the best treatments for yeast infections. As yeast is the most common nail fungus.
The caprylic acid will first decrease the power of fungus by killing the cell wall. Next Amylase is a digestive enzyme, which will flow in the blood stream to kill the toenail fungus.
Then we have protease and lipase which will affect the digestion process and the immunity. The better the digestion of the fats the better will be the immune system.
Other ingredients of nutrition hacks fungus hack
It is undoubtedly one of the best fungus killing supplements. It has many health friendly ingredients. It has the grape-fruit extract, it provides the free-radical defense.
Moreover it will also kill the fungus supportive bacteria. Next it has oregano powder, which will treat other infections and flu.
It has walnut hulls, and lemon grass, both are antioxidants and will kill th free radicals. The walnut hulls have tannins, juglone, and iodine for extra strength.
Cons of the Fungus hack
What Is The Most Effective Treatment For Toenail Fungus And The Best Fungal Nail Treatment
The most effective toenail fungus treatment for you is the use of all time proven Best Cure for Nail Fungus known as urgent fungus destroyer. Your provider will consider several factors before recommending a treatment plan thats customized to you.
Overall, oral antifungal medications offer the most potent treatment potential were we have Best Cure for Nail Fungus known as urgent fungus destroyer. Pairing oral drugs with topical antifungal medication make treatment more effective.
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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.
Nail Removal Home Remedies And Laser Treatment
In the most serious instances of toenail fungus infection, the toenail may be removed surgically or dissolved with acid. This can be done to just a portion of the nail in the hope that the remaining nail will grow back healthy. In cases where the entire toenail has to be removed, artificial nails and products using light-cured resins to form a temporary covering can be used to protect the underlying tissue until the nail grows back.
If you prefer to go the home-remedy route, such as applying tea tree oil or Vicks VapoRub to your nails, keep in mind that the effectiveness of these products for treating toenail fungus hasn’t been well studied, and they are not recommended by podiatrists.
Finally, the Food and Drug Administration has approved several laser devices for temporary increase in clear nails in patients with onychomycosis. But while laser treatments are vigorously marketed, clinical trials of lasers have reported mixed results, and the treatments may not be covered by health insurance. If you wish to try laser treatment of toenail fungus, speak to your doctor about what to expect from the treatment, and call your insurance carrier to find out whether the treatment will be covered.
Additional reporting by Susan Jara.
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What Are Treatments For Toenail Fungus The Best Fungal Nail Treatment
Do you need to treat your nail fungus? Maybe it doesnt hurt, and the yellow, thick nails dont bother you.
But nail fungus doesnt go away by itself. And if you dont treat it, theres a chance it could get worse. It could spread to other nails or through your body. It could cause pain when you walk.
The best fungal nail treatment 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 doesnt 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 its 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.
Nail removal. If the infection is deep and youve had it for a while, your doctor may want to remove all or part of your nail. A new nail usually grows back, but it might take a year or so. While its coming back, your doctor will likely give you a cream or other treatment to put on your nail bed to keep fungus away.
Fungal Nail Infection Treatments
Early treatment of fungal nail infections may prevent damage to or loss of the nail and treatment at any stage may reduce discomfort and improve the nails appearance. However, fungal nail infections can be difficult to treat, and can recur following successful treatment.
Also, because nails grow slowly, it can take up to a year for the appearance of the nail to return to normal, even if treatment is successful. To check if your fungal infection has been successfully treated, your doctor may make a small scratch on the normal-looking new nail growing from the nail bed. As your nail grows, the appearance of the new nail growing behind the scratch is monitored. If the nail behind the scratch remains normal-looking, the infection has been treated and no further treatment is needed the abnormal nail in front of the scratch just needs to grow out.
Fingernail infections can generally be cured more quickly and effectively than toenail infections.
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Laser Treatment Is Expensive And Has No Proven Track Record
Laser treatment for toenail fungus is a new way to treat a nail infection by focusing laser energy directly on the infected area. The laser light passes through the toenail and is supposed to kill the fungus without causing damage to the nail or surrounding skin.
This new technology looks very promising and has raised great hope among nail fungus sufferers. Unfortunately, a deeper look at toenail fungus laser treatment reveals significant drawbacks that should be considered before selecting this option:
- Clinical trials aimed at testing the effectiveness of laser treatment were done on a very limited scale . These clinical trials are not statistically valid. It is well known in health research that new treatments performing well in small studies fail very frequently when applied in large studies with strict test protocols.
- The cost of a one-time treatment is typically $1,000. Recurring treatments cost about $500 each. In some cases, a full course of treatment may require 3 to 4 visits so the total cost can reach $3,000.This cost is not covered by health insurance and must be paid in full by the patient!
- One treatment lasts only 30 minutes but there is no guarantee that the toenail fungus will not recur. Moreover, patients will have to wait 4 to 6 months for a healthy nail to grow out.
Apple Cider Vinegar For Toenail Fungus
Treating toenail fungus with apple cider vinegar is also a common practice. Apple cider vinegar is a common kitchen staple available in almost every house.
Many people wonder how the apple cider vinegar can kill toenail fungus? well, the apple cider vinegar has two acids, the maleic acid and the acetic acid. Both these acids are meant to disturb the pH of the toenail fungus and ultimately kill it.
Having apple cider vinegar as a treatment of nail fungus is quite long. It will take almost 6 to 7 months to kill toenail fungus. To get fast results you need to add it in your diet as well to strengthen your immune system.
All its ingredients are very common, and you can have them whenever needed, but instead of taking each antifungal and immunity booster you must have a single supplement for it.
Ways to use apple cider vinegar to treat toenail fungus
- Make a foot soak, making a foot soak is quite easy and it will only take a few minutes. Add two tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in two liters of water. Soak your feet in it for almost 30 minutes a day.
- Mix apple cider vinegar with baking soda. As baking soda is already a home remedy for nail fungus, mixing it with apple cider vinegar will only reinforce its effect. You need to make a paste of the two and apply on the nail fungus with a Q-tip.
Pros of using apple cider vinegar for nail fungus
- Anti-microbial.
Cons of using the apple cider vinegar as a remedy for nail fungus
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Candidates For Hyperblue Plus Laser Therapy
Treating toenail fungal infections isnt a one-size-fits-all approach, so the best way to learn which treatment is right for you is by scheduling a consultation with a provider at the Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers location nearest you.
Your podiatrist reviews your medical history, discusses your symptoms, and conducts a physical evaluation to determine the right therapy for your fungal infection. They may also order additional lab tests to ensure the best treatment for your specific needs.
Generally speaking, you may be a candidate for HyperBlue PLUS laser therapy if you:
- Have tried over-the-counter medications without success
- Havent had success with prescription oral or topical medications
- Dont have certain pre-existing conditions
- Are willing to commit to a series of sessions to eradicate the fungus
Learn if laser therapy is right for you by contacting the Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers office of your choice. You may also request an appointment online at your convenience.
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Nail Fungus Treatment Faqs
How many laser treatments are needed for toenail fungus?
Most patients only need one laser treatment to get rid of toenail fungus. In some more severe cases it may take two treatments to fully extinguish toenail fungus. 90% of patients report that their fungus is gone after one treatment.
Can you file away toenail fungus?
In most cases patients can treat toenail fungus by filing it down and maintaining the nail so that there is not room for the fungus to live and grow. There are other topical treatments that can help get rid of the fungus as well.
Does toe fungus ever go away?
Toenail fungus will not go away until it has been treated. Over time the fungus will spread and grow around your nail until the nail has been totally destroyed. It is important to treat and maintain toenail fungus if you have it.
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Preventing Toenail Fungus From Spreading
While you can’t avoid contact with the microscopic organisms that cause toenail fungus its present anywhere that is warm, dark, or moist keeping your feet clean and dry and clipping your nails properly can help prevent an infection.
For fungus to grow, there needs to be some type of trauma to the nail where the nail-skin junction, or natural barrier, is disrupted, says Sheth. For example, from a pedicure, ill-fitting shoes, or the repetitive trauma of running or hiking that causes the nail to lift or get pressed on from shoes or boots.
Still, some people are more vulnerable than others, she adds. Some people have it only on one toe or one foot, and some have lived with a partner who has it but they never get it,” Sheth says. “And for some you see it in their entire family. It’s not as straightforward as it seems, and it’s an annoying problem.
If you do get a toenail fungus infection, these measures can help stop it from spreading:
Getting rid of established toenail fungus can be difficult. Successfully eliminating it depends on careful adherence to a treatment plan.
“What happens over time is that the fungus breeds in the nail tissue and goes from being just a little bit on the nail, to a really discolored and thickened nail, to a nail that is totally embedded with fungus,” explains Marlene Reid, a doctor of podiatric medicine in Naperville, Illinois, and a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association.
The Best Fungal Nail Treatments
Posted 21 Apr ’21
Fungal nail infections occur when a fungus has infected and penetrated your nail. It canaffect the physical appearance of your nail, however it is rarely associated with pain and wont have a major impact on your qualityof life. Nevertheless, they are a pesky, irritating nail condition to resolve.
In this article, we will highlight some of the best fungal nail treatments currently on the market.
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