Related Resources For Toenail Fungus
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This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.
What Is The Outcome For Someone Who Has Nail Fungus
With treatment, many people can get rid of nail fungus. Even when the fungus clears, your nail may look unhealthy until the infected nail grows out. A fingernail grows out in 4 to 6 months and a toenail in 12 to 18 months.
To clear the fungus, its important to:
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Use the treatment exactly as prescribed
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Apply the medicine for as long as prescribed
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Keep all follow-up appointments with your dermatologist
Nail fungus can be stubborn. If you had a severe infection, its possible to clear the infection. A healthy looking nail, however, may be unrealistic, but you can expect the nail to look better and feel more comfortable.
Even with clearing, nail fungus can return. Youll find steps to reduce your risk in Tips: 12 ways to prevent another nail infection.
ImageGetty Images
ReferenceGold LFS and Rosen T. Onychomycosis: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. Dermatology News . March 2016:2-15.
Athlete’s Foot And Diabetes
If you have athlete’s foot and diabetes, see your healthcare provider immediately do not bother with home treatments. Athlete’s foot can cause breaks in the skin that can lead to potentially serious complications like foot ulcers and cellulitis in people with diabetes.
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Can I Wear Nail Polish If I Have Toenail Fungus
You may feel tempted to cover up a discolored toenail with nail polish. If you are using a topical antifungal, you probably should not use polish. Some providers may tell you not to wear it in any case. Polish traps in moisture from the nailbed . Because fungi thrive in moist environments, wearing nail polish may make a fungal infection worse. However, the nail continues to grow with or without polish.
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Common Home Remedies For Fungal Toenails
With any home remedy, its important to continue treatment for at least two weeks after the infection appears to be gone. This helps ensure that all the fungus is killed and prevents reinfection. You should also avoid sharing towels, shoes, socks, or other personal items with someone who has a fungal infection. If you have diabetes or another condition that causes poor circulation, see your doctor before using any home remedies for fungal infections.
Here are a few of the most common home remedies:
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What Is Nail Fungus
A nail fungus is the regular fungus infection often seen as a redness or brittleness of the nail. It disfigures the nail and can eventually eat it completely.
The nail fungus can occur due to several reasons, the worst part is you will never know the underlying reason for nail fungus unless you witness the destruction of your nail.
The most common part where you can observe fungus is your toenail and then, you can also observe the fungus on your fingernails too.
Reasons for toenail fungus
The following are some common reasons for the emerging of nail fungus.
- Unclean and poor hygiene of foot.
- Wearing extremely tight socks, people often do it in winters.
- Any chronic disease that is infecting your immunity.
- Having a foot circulatory issue, it is common in people with low blood pressure.
- Going to unprofessional saloons for poor pedicure services.
- Wearing tight shoes.
Symptoms of toenail fungus
Identifying if you are suffering with nail fungus or is it something else is very easy.
The symptoms of the nail fungus are very common and you can easily find out that it is time to find the best treatment for nail fungus.
- Your nails will have blue/purple/green spots on them.
- The nails will become brittle.
- The toenails will develop a rough surface.
- Nails will come off without cutting.
- Redness around the nails.
- Pain under or around the nails.
- Sometimes bruises and a burning sensation.
Types of treatments for toenail fungus
We have divided the treatments into two parts.
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.
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Getting A Jublia Prescription
If you cant get a prescription now, this is our recommended OTC anti-fungal
If you are interested in getting a prescription for Jublia, ciclopirox or Kerydin, contact us for an appointment. If you are not in the Seattle area and want to try an over-the-counter topical, our recommended OTC topical anti-fungal for nail fungus is Pedifix Anti-fungal Solution. It is not as effective as the prescription anti-fungals, but is our recommended one if you cant get a prescription right now.
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How To Treat Toenail Fungus
Fungus on the toenails is notoriously hard to get rid of. To eliminate the fungus, you might have to treat the problem for a few months. Still, fungal nails tend to come back.
A dermatologist or podiatrist can tell you about the different ways to treat your condition. If your case is mild and doesnt bother you, your doctor may tell you to do nothing.
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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.
What Does Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus Cost
There is a huge difference in price between laser treatment by a professional in a clinic and the price to buy a laser device for home use.
The cost varies depending on the number of nails involved and severity of the infection, with the national average cost for laser treatment varying from anywhere between $500 to $1200, which wont be covered by medical insurance as it is considered a cosmetic treatment.
That said, most professional laser toenail fungus treatment is effective after just one session.
Laser devices for toenail fungus treatment at home cost roughly $150 to $300 significantly less than a clinical laser treatment but they are less effective and it may take daily sessions over a period of 3 to 6 months to successfully eradicate all traces of fungus and spores.
Of course, the big positive is that at the end of the home treatment you will be able to reuse the DIY laser at any time should the fungus reappear, and it can also be used by family members or friends.
The technology is also improving all the time.
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Tea Tree Oil Nail Fungus Treatment
Tea tree oil has been an effective anti-viral essential oil, that is being used for different purpose from bath to the making of body creams.
Till now we have some mixed researched studies regarding tea tree oil. Some scientists found it a reliable treatment, while other found it useless.
However, the better of the two is to try the oil, as it is 100% natural and there is no risk in using such thing.
Even though it is a safe organic compound, still it is not very mild on the sensitive skin.
It is an essential oil, which means it is concentrated. So, you need to avoid the excess use of it, keep it to the low.
Ways of using tea tree oil for toenail fungus
- Mix tea tree oil with a carrier oil and use the diluted solution of tea tree oil as a remedy for nail fungus.
- Make a foot soak with warm water and tea tree oil. You need to mix six drops of tea tree oil, in a warm bowl of water, soak your feet for 15 minutes in it.
- The apple cider vinegar can strengthen the antifungal properties of tea tree oil, all you have to do is mix water and apple cider vinegar, and soak your feet in it, after 15 minutes take your feet out and pat dry with a dry towel. Now, apply a diluted solution of tea tree oil on the infected toenail.
- Using tea tree oil with rubbing alcohol, take a spray bottle add alcohol, oregano oil, and tea tree oil.
Pros of using tea tree oil as a natural toenail fungus remedy
- It makes the skin smooth.
- It is anti-inflammatory.
Cons of using tea tree oil for nail fungus
How To Prevent Nail Fungus
Even though the fungi responsible for these nail infections are pretty much everywhere, there are a few universal things you can do to aid in prevention. Both derms warn that it’s important to be cautious at the nail salon. “A client with fungus can spread it to other clients if proper disinfection precautions aren’t followed when it comes to porous tools such as emery boards and toe separators, as well as pedicure footbaths,” says Dr. Stern.
Not picking at your nails is also paramount, as well as wearing footwear in wet communal areas, such as locker rooms and swimming pool decks, points out Dr. Chen. And since most fungal infections of the toenails start with a fungal skin infection that spreads to the nail, it’s important to protect the skin.
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Unsafe Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus
Although there are many effective home remedies for toenail fungus, there are still some natural and household products that can cause more harm than good. For example, you should never use bleach to get rid of toenail fungus. Its use may be toxic to the skin and cause severe skin irritation when not used properly.
Additionally, you should never use overly hot water when performing the variety of foot soaks mentioned above. Excessive heat to the nails and skin will not kill fungusand extreme temperatures may injure the skin causing burns, blisters, and sometimes permanent skin damage. Always use lukewarm water for soaking.
Urine is another home remedy that should be avoided. Previously, it had been believed to be effective against fungal infections due to its urea contents. While urea can help soften the nail bed to make it easier for antifungal medication to be absorbed, urine does not contain enough urea to be effective.
And, finally, do not remove or excessively trim toenails at home. Fungal toenails should be properly trimmed and maintained on a regular basis, but do not remove too much nail. If toenail clipping or removal is not done properly, damage to the nail bed may cause additional injury to the nail, which can be irreversible. There also is the risk of causing bacterial infections when the damaged nail is not removed properly.
Kerassentials Reviews Do Not Buy Yet
2. ClavusinClavusin is a health supplement that helps manage the symptoms of onychomycosis. It is the brainchild of Mark Thompson and Dr. Larson. Together, they developed a powerful formula that can help fight fungal infections.Clavusin uses natural ingredients that Dr. Larson discovered when working in Africa. This formula can show reliable and promising results with regular use.
What Goes Into This Health Supplement?Clavusin uses several potent natural ingredients, including herbs and minerals. Here are some of the main ingredients: Plantago Ovata: It is a type of shrub that grows in parts of Africa. It can help rid the body of fungal infections. Lactobacillus acidophilus: It is a type of bacteria that helps purify the blood. It can help rid the body of toxins that feed the fungal infection.
What Benefits Can Users Expect?Clavusin uses completely natural and organic ingredients to help manage fungal infections. People who use it regularly claim to see good results over time. They also claim that these results are permanent and long-lasting. Here are some of the common benefits of using Clavusin regularly: It can help improve nail health by improving its strength and color. It helps boost the bodys immunity and clear up fungal infections. It can help flush out infectious fungi from within the body too.
Disclaimer : The above is a sponsored post, the views expressed are those of the sponsor/author and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook editorial.
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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:
The Urgent Fungus Destroyer
The Urgent Fungus Destroyer is an oral treatment for nail fungus, created by the Phytage labs. It is also a reliable supplement made for all age groups and genders.
A single tablet of urgent fungus destroyer has several effective ingredients that will directly treat the incapability of your body and treat toenail fungus.
It has pro-biotics with 40 Billion CFU and other main ingredient like Lacto bacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium lactis etc.
Other ingredients of urgent fungus destroyer
The ingredients mentioned above are all probiotics. The rest of the ingredients in urgent fungus destroyer are all organic and 100% safe.
- It has vitamin C to keep the skin safe and nourished while it is fighting with fungal infection.
- The vitamin E extract will also ensure a healthy and smooth toenail.
- The marine polysaccharide complex is also a known treatment for nail fungus, it balances the production of anti-inflammatory compounds in the body.
- The olive leaf extract to reduce the risk of inflammation. It will help those who are constantly working outside and do not get enough time to keep the infected toenail safe.
- Selenium and mushroom extract, inspired by the Japanese herbal treatment for nail fungus will strengthen the immune system. Selenium will ensure a higher level of thyroxin, which is the most needed hormone for healthy growth.
- Grape seed extract along with the raspberry extract will ensure that the blood circulation is better than the normal.
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What Are Treatments For Toenail Fungus
Do you need to treat your nail fungus? Maybe it doesn’t hurt, and the yellow, thick nails don’t bother you.
But nail fungus doesn’t go away by itself. And if you don’t treat it, there’s a chance it could get worse. It could spread to other nails or through your body. It could cause pain when you walk.
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 doesn’t 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 itâs 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.
Prescription medications. One of several antifungal pills may help. They work, but it may take many months to do the job. They also come with side effects like nausea, vomiting, and headaches. They may cause liver damage too, so your doctor will watch you closely while you take them. Be sure to tell them about any other meds youâre taking — some antifungal pills might not work well with them.
