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HomeExclusiveWhy Is Toenail Fungus So Hard To Get Rid Of

Why Is Toenail Fungus So Hard To Get Rid Of

Is There Any Hope

Have Yellow Toenail Fungus? Get Rid Of Your Nail Fungus For Good With These Treatment Options

So is this story just a total bummer for toenail-fungus sufferers like poor Liz?

Im just so over it, she said with a deep sigh, admitting that she has toenail envy when she sees people who have pretty, freshly pedicured feet.

No, says Tracey Vlahovic. In fact, the FDA has just approved a new topical treatment for fungus, the brand name is Jublia. Canadian drugmaker Valeant Pharmaceuticals expects sales of $800 million in the U.S. And another product will come out shortly.

Its a class of antifungals were all familiar with, Vlahovic said. The data there is very nice, its beautiful, and I think that patients will really like the further topical options that are coming out.

The new topicals have higher cure rates than topical options currently on the market and they can be used under nail polish, something thats very important to many women who have nail fungus.

Vlahovic says there is currently a lot of movement in this field, which has been stagnant for a while but even with better treatments, patients have to accept one bitter truth: There is no quick fix for this.

Nothing is going to work within a week. Nothing is going to work within a month, you must give things time, Vlahovic said.

So, if any person or product promises you to cure this thing quickly just dont buy it.

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Know It May Have To Be Permanent

At this point, if he or she has not discussed this with you earlier, the doctor may recommend that you have the nail permanently prevented from growing back. This is only done in severe cases of fungus or other disorders where the problem would simply keep occurring if the nail grew back.

To do this, the doctor must destroy the nail matrix, which is the part of the toe that produces keratin, the element that toenails are made of.

The matrix can be dissolved chemically, which is the most common. This is called chemical cauterization, and involves the application of a chemical called phenol. Occasionally, some patients report their nails growing back, but generally this method is effective.

If this does not work, your doctor will perform a surgical matrixectomy. A flap of skin is surgically created at the base of the nail, where the matrix is located. After retracting the flap, the matrix is surgically removed.

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How To Get Rid Of Keratin Buildup Under Toenails

Treatment of keratin buildup under the toe nail depends on the underlying cause. In most cases it is due to fungal infection in the toenail. Topical application of anti fungal cream helps to kill the fungus. It has to be applied for long duration because the infection is very stubborn to go easily. After few applications the debris becomes soft and it becomes easy to remove it. You can gently scrape the buildup with a manicure tool.

There are home options to soften the keratin buildup. Tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar are the options.

  • Pour small amount of warm water in a bucket. Add few drops of apple cider vinegar to it. Now place your foot in the bucket for 10 minutes. Dry the foot with hair dryer once you remove out your foot. Acid cider vinegar is a natural remedy for toenail fungus infection. Regularly following the procedure to a week will be effective in killing the germs. In some cases it may take few more days.
  • Tea tree oil is another time tested home remedy for toenail fungus infection. Put few drops of tea tree oil over the affected toe nail. You can dilute it with any carrier oil, since tea tree oil is irritating if used alone.

Stop Repetitive Toenail Injury

Toenail fungus has many remedies, but is hard to cure

If you have black toenails because of repetitive trauma, these suggestions can help.

  • Wear Athletic Shoes with Extra Space for Your Toes
  • Use Silicone Toe Caps
  • Tie Your Laces So Your Feet Dont Slide Inside Your Shoes

Give your toes enough room so they dont hit with each step. Add a cushion, and experiment with different ways to tie your shoes.

Read Also: Does A Dermatologist Treat Nail 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 .

Removing Part Or All Of Your Nail To Treat Nail Fungus Does It Work

The short answer is that no one really knows for sure. There hasnt been much research on removing some or all of the nail to treat fungal nail infection. This treatment isnt used very often, but your doctor might suggest it if your infection is severe or keeps coming back. If you are experiencing recurring nail fungus infestation then this might be a bigger issue with your immune system and your overall general health. You might want to discuss with your doctor doing a cleanse and changing your diet to include more organic live foods and stay away from cooked foods.

What is it?

You can have your nail completely removed or partially removed . This can be done either with minor surgery or with an ointment that softens the nail so that it can be removed easily.

Surgery: Your doctor will first numb the skin around and under your nail with a shot of a local anesthetic. He or she will then use a tool to separate your nail from the surrounding skin and nail bed . Once the nail is removed, your skin underneath should heal in a few weeks.

If you have a fingernail removed, it should grow back in about six months. If you have a toenail removed, it may take 12 to 18 months to grow back.

If you keep getting infections, your doctor might recommend completely removing the nail and then putting a chemical on the thin layer of skin at the base of your nail to stop your nail from growing back.How can it help?

What are the Side Effects

1. Keravita Pro – www.KeravitaPro.com

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How Can I Prevent Toenail Fungus

Theres no way to guarantee that you wont get toenail fungus. But you can take several steps to help prevent it:

  • Avoid going barefoot in communal areas such as hotel rooms / showers, public showers, locker rooms and swimming pools. Most people pick up fungus in these situations. It helps to wear flip flops in these public areas.
  • If you have a family member with foot fungus or nail fungus, try to use different shower or wear flip flops in the shower to avoid coming in contact with it.
  • Trauma due to accidental or aggressive clipping of the nails can turn into portals of entry for the fungus.
  • Clean your nail trimmer before using it.
  • Do not tear or rip your toenails on purpose.
  • If you have diabetes, follow all foot care recommendations from your healthcare provider.
  • Keep your feet dry. Make sure to fully dry your feet after a shower.
  • Soak toenails in warm water before cutting them. Or you can cut your nails after a shower or bath.
  • Trim toenails straight across .
  • Wear shoes that fit correctly. They should not be too loose or tight around the toes.

Preventing Future Fungal Infections

Why is Toe Nail Fungus So Hard to Treat?

Prevention is a strong defense against future infections. You can reduce your risk of developing another toenail fungus by keeping these tips in mind:

  • Always wear shower shoes when in public spaces
  • Practice good foot hygiene such as changing socks when wet, washing feet daily, and avoiding nail polish
  • Always allow gym shoes to dry thoroughly between uses
  • Apply anti-fungal powders to gym shoes
  • Trim nails regularly and straight across
  • Wear moisture-wicking socks

In addition to the above, its especially important to practice good foot hygiene if you have diabetes.

Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Foot Fungus Fast

Facts About Toenail Fungus

  • Toenail fungus infection is often caused by a common type of fungus known as a dermatophyte.
  • Apart from fungi, yeast or molds can also cause nail infection.
  • Toenail infection can occur at any age, but older adults have a high chance to grow them.
  • It can affect any fingernail, but the toenail is the most common area to get the infection.
  • Nobody is immune to toenail fungus by any means, but the chance of infection enhances with growing age.
  • From the toenail, it can spread to the other part of the toe if it remains untreated.
  • Injured Nails can affect by fungus.

Q How To Cure Really Bad Toenail Fungus

Ans- Antifungal supplements are the traditional ways to cure toenails fungus. Moreover, some of the home remedies can also help, and some of the popular remedies are:-

  • Apply tea tree oil to the affected part with a cotton ball twice daily.
  • Apply oregano oil twice a day, or you can mix it with tea tree oil.
  • Apply freshly chopped or crushed garlic to the affected area twice a day.
  • Consult your doctor regularly and continue the medication.
  • Maintain foot hygiene, trim the nails on the edges.
  • Always wash your hands properly after touching your feet.

Read Also: What Is The Best Remedy For Toenail Fungus

What Does A Laser Toenail Fungus Procedure Look Like

After discovering you have toenail fungus, you can decide whether to try a home remedy or have it treated professionally. Home remedies are hit or miss, and theres a lot of questionable stuff out there.

See these articles for more information:

Prescription treatments have a much higher chance of working, but there can be interactions with other medicines, etc.

Thats where laser treatments come into play. Laser treatments are non-pharmaceutical and can be highly effective.

Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus

4 Ways to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus

Risk factors | Diagnosis | Home remedies | Over-the-counter medicine | Prescription drugs | When to see a doctor

Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium, is a common nail condition affecting millions of people in the United States. Fungal nail infections can develop on the nail from various organisms such as molds, yeasts, and fungi. This usually occurs after these organisms come into contact with a cracked nail or skin surrounding the nail as the opening provides a portal of entry for these organisms.

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What Is Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is a widespread fungal infection that affects the toenails. Less commonly, nail fungus infects the fingernails. Nail fungus is also called onychomycosis.

Toenail fungus happens when fungi get between the toenail and the toenail bed . This usually happens through a crack or cut in your toe.

When Home Remedies Make Sense:

For most people with mild to moderate nail fungus, home remedies are an option, especially when a trip to the doctor seems intimidating. Readers of our syndicated newspaper column have been sharing their success stories for over 40 years.

Lisa points out that patience is a critical component for overcoming nasty nail fungus:

I fought toenail fungus for several years. It seemed like I had two different kinds. One made the surface of the nail white and rough, and the other turned the nail yellow or orange. That one also caused the nail to crumble over time.

After reading about it on the Peoples Pharmacy, I tried tea tree oil first. It was very effective on the white toenail fungus. The nails grew out clear and stayed that way.

I tried Vicks next, and it worked on the yellow toenails. That was a slower process, as there was more damage. Several times when I was just getting one nail finished, the fungus would start on another one. It took about three years to get every nail clear, but I have had no new fungus for over a year now. The treatments were inexpensive and easy, but patience is required!

Lisa is absolutely on target. Even pricey prescription nail fungus treatments are tested for about a year. You can read about a pricey prescription anti-fungal liquid at this link:

FDA Approves Jublia for Fighting Nail FungusJublia is a topical liquid for treating nail fungus. How good is Jublia? Not that great. How pricey is Jublia? Very! Is it worth the cost?

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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.

How Do Dermatologists Diagnose Nail Fungus

How to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus! | Dr. Doug Willen

To find out if a patient has nail fungus, a dermatologist examines your nails and nearby skin. Its important to check the skin because the fungus can spread. You may already have a skin infection caused by fungus like athletes foot.

To get rid of the infection, you will need to treat all infected areas.

Before giving you the diagnosis, your dermatologist may also take some samples. Collecting a bit of debris from beneath a nail, trimming off part your nail, or scraping off a bit of skin can be very helpful. In a lab, these samples can be examined under a microscope to find out whats causing the problem.

Are you hiding an infected nail with nail polish?

Be sure to ask your dermatologist if you can wear nail polish while treating nail fungus.

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Dermatophytes: A Common Cause Of Toenail Fungus

Your toenails are composed of 80% hard keratin and 20% soft keratin. Keratin is also in your skin and hair. Dermatophytes, the fungi that usually cause onychomycosis, feed on keratin to grow and multiply.

Dermatophytes love warm, moist environments, including:

  • Public pools
  • Saunas
  • Locker rooms

Onychomycosis is highly contagious, so its easy to catch. When dermatophytes find their way to your feet as a result of exposure to sweat, public showers, or steam rooms, the dermatophytes consume the keratin in your nails by breaking it down into smaller particles. The crumbly residue on your infected toenails is actually keratin debris.

You can also get toenail fungus as a result of being more susceptible to foot problems, especially if youre diabetic, have circulation problems, or you have a weakened immune system. These other conditions, including chronic skin problems like psoriasis, often lead to toenail fungus if your feet are exposed to it, or you dont keep your feet cool and dry after swimming or going to the gym.

When To Contact A Doctor

Toenail fungus is typically not a significant problem for most people. However, if there are no improvements or complications occur as a result of home remedies, people should speak with a doctor and stop using the home remedy as soon as possible. It is also advisable to contact a podiatrist if a person notices any discoloration, thickening, or abnormality of the toenails.

Furthermore, people at higher risk for complications should seek medical treatment for their toenail fungus and avoid home remedies altogether. This includes those with diabetes or with weakened immune systems.

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What Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider About Toenail Fungus

If you have toenail fungus, you may find it helpful to ask your provider:

  • What type of infection do I have?
  • Do you recommend I treat it? Why or why not?
  • How long will I need treatment?
  • What steps can I take to stop it from coming back?
  • Should I be aware of any potentially serious complications or treatment side effects?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Toenail fungus is an incredibly common infection that can be difficult to treat. The condition usually isnt painful, but it may make you feel self-conscious about how your foot looks. If it bothers you, talk to your provider about your treatment options. A trained specialist can provide guidance on whats most likely to address your concerns while protecting your overall health.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/17/2020.

References

A Closer Look At The Troublesome Fungus

How to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is one of the main reasons people come to her office, and Vlahovic has studied the condition for years. Viewed through a microscope, her enemy appears rather meek. It looks like thin straws with little compartments in it but its part of an aggressive fungus family. The fungus that affects the foot in general, they are called dermatophytes. They love hair, nails and skin, so actually the same organisms that cause athletes foot can cause nail fungus.

If it gets into the nail bed, the fungus eats and digests the keratin in the nail, and that causes discoloration and thickening of the nail. Its a cosmetic condition that can become painful, but even if its not, Vlahovic argues that it is an infection that should be treated.

Also Check: How Does Laser Toenail Fungus Removal Work

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