What Is Black Toenail Fungus
If you have a dark, thick toenail, it could be toenail fungus, which is usually caused by a type of fungus called dermatophytes. It affects the toenail and the area beneath the nail and causes color changes, thickening, and abnormally shaped nails.
Its fairly common, with at least 12% of American adults diagnosed with it, according to Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. Older adults and people with diabetes, circulation problems, or a weakened immune system are more likely to have toenail fungus.
This infection doesnt usually go away on its own, and it can take a year or more to treat it with prescription medications. These are applied to the nail or taken in pill form.
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
Clove Oil Remedy For Toenail Fungus
The clove oil has a very pleasant and strong odor, which makes it a loved choice for nail fungus. It is also known for strong anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.
You must be wondering about the magical substance in clove oil to make it do so, it is the eugenol, according to research it is one of the effective ingredients to kill fungal and bacterial infections.
It is not only a treatment for nail fungus but also for the overall health, and especially the respiratory problems.
How to use clove oil for nail fungus treatment?
Using clove oil directly on the infected toenail is not a wise idea as the clove oil is a strong and reactive compound. It will destroy the skin barrier you need to dilute it first.
- Use clove oil with Epsom salt. You can add a few drops of clove oil in your bathtub and Epsom salt, this is a convenient method to treat toenail fungus.
- Apply the diluted clove oil directly on the infected toenail thrice a day.
- Make a foot soak of baking soda ad add a few drops of clove oil on it.
Pros of clove oil treatment for toenail fungus
- It will moisten the damaged skin.
- Is effective in treating the bad odor of nail fungus, giving you a pleasant smell, all those who go out for work and do not want to carry the bad odor, should apply it.
- It is a readily available essential oil.
Cons of clove oil for nail fungus
- It takes almost 10 months to show results.
- It is slightly harsh for people with sensitive skin.
- You need to buy a separate carrier oil with it.
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How Fungus Forms On Toenails
Usually toenail infection develops when the nail or surrounding skin has a small crack or cut and the area is exposed to fungus in the environment.
Warm, moist conditions allow fungus to grow. Walking barefoot in locker rooms or shared showers can increase your risk of coming in contact with fungus. Having sweaty feet or wearing non-breathable shoes can help the fungus take hold and spread.
Diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and a weak immune system can increase risk for toenail fungus.
Its also more common in older adults. Up to half of adults over the age of 70 may have toenail fungus, according to the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. A previous toenail injury, psoriasis, hyperhidrosis, and smoking can also increase risk. Children are rarely affected.
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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Side Effects Of Toenail Fungus Medication
One of the many benefits of using a homeopathic remedy is that there are little to no adverse side effects. Topical treatments often prescribed to treat toenail fungus can potentially burn or blister the skin. Oral medications for treating onychomycosis can cause liver or gastrointestinal damage. Be sure to read your medications list of potential side effects. Consult your pharmacist, healthcare provider, or specialist if you are concerned about side effects of prescription drugs.
Epsom Salt For Toenail Fungus
You must have heard about Epsom salt if you love to use the bath bombs.
The Epsom salt is a compound of Magnesium and Sulphate and it is an amazing detoxifier.
It kills all the toxins residing on your body.
The magnesium in Epsom salt is fantastic to kill the itchiness and the redness on your skin.
The next main ingredient is the sulfate ion, what will it do for the nail fungus?
It simply reinforces the effects of the min magnesium ion.
If you are someone who does not want the bad looking and damaged nail, this is the treatment for you.
It can be the best home remedy for nail fungus. It is easily available, and you do not need a prescription for it.
The Epsom salt can be added to the daily routine if you want presentable nails, it is not very effective for a ruined nail, you can use it as the onset treatment for nail fungus.
How to use Epsom salt for nail fungus?
Pros of using Epsom salt for nail fungus as a homemade remedy
- It works fine for the healthy skin.
- It also helps in reduces stress.
- Cleans the infected spots nicely.
Cons of using the Epsom salt
- It can cause irritation on sensitive skin when used in higher concentrations.
- Will take so many months to treat the toenail fungus.
Note: For a detailed guide on using the Epsom Salt for treating the toenail fungus and also to know how did it perform for one of the patient with toenail fungus, you can check our complete case study and review guide below:
Read Our Ultimate Guide on Using Epsom Salt for Toenail fungus.
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Insurance Coverage For Fungal And Thick Nail Treatment
If you have thick, fungal or painful toenails, your evaluation visit is usually a covered benefit under most traditional insurance plans. At that visit, we can let you know if there are any services or treatments for your nails that would likely not be covered.
Laser treatment cost and coverage information can be found on ourGuide to Laser Treatment page.
Coverage of lab testing to see if you have a fungal infection is between the lab and your insurance company. If you would like to check ahead of time, contact your insurance carrier and ask if they cover billing code 88312 and 88305 . You will also want to find out how much of your deductible has been met.
Toenail Fungus Prescription Medication Treatments
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 antifungal medications often are effective in treating mild to moderate toenail fungus. Topical solutions may include medicated nail polishes or liquid medications. Penlac , Kerydin , and Jublia are among the top prescription drugs for toenail fungus. Some topical treatments require you to file down the surface of the nail to help the treatment get through to the nail bed. If your healthcare provider prescribes a topical medication, follow the instructions carefully for application and removal.
Oral antifungal medications can come in capsules, tablets, or liquid. Some common prescriptions are Diflucan , Lamisil , Onmel , and Sporanox .
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Best Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus
A variety of treatment options for toenail fungus are available, including drug-free alternatives, over-the-counter medicine, prescription drugs, laser treatment, or even surgical removal for those severe cases. Many people would rather start with items they have around the house before purchasing medication or visiting their doctors office. These treatments are most effective in mild fungal cases.
Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes when it comes to treating nail fungus. This is because a new toenail must grow to replace the old, damaged toenail. This can take up to 18 months to regrow the toenail. This time frame varies on how fast or slow your toenails grow and how severe the fungal infection is. Many home remedies quickly improve the appearance of the nail, but the actual fungus is not gone until the new, healthy nail has replaced the old, damaged one.
Try some of these effective home remedies for toenail fungus:
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Evaluation And Diagnosis Of Fungal Nails
We will first examine your feet and nails and take a history. This can help determine if you have a fungal infection or nail dystrophy. After doing a history and examination to help determine the cause of your nail changes, we may get a lab test. This involves taking a small sample of the nail and having it examined in the lab under the microscope.
The test is called a Periodic Acid-Shiff test which involves a stain that turns any fungi red. This will also help identify the exact type of fungi present so that we can offer you the most effective treatment. This is often the only way to determine the difference between fungus and dystrophy as they can look exactly the same.
This is a critical step as we see many patients who have spent hundreds of dollars on laser treatment for nail fungus or have taken oral anti-fungal medications only to find that there is no fungus present and that there was no reason to even consider these treatments. Sometimes visual examination of the nail is adequate to diagnose toenail fungus, but many times it is not.
During your first visit with us we will provide you with a plan of action for treating the dystrophic or fungal nails. We may be able to provide you with recommendations on the first visit but we often have to wait for lab tests to be completed. Thus, we cannot guarantee that any specific treatment will be performed during your first visit.
Bleach Toenail Fungus Treatment
Bleach is also an effective and one of the best home-remedies for nail fungus. many nail fungi infected person have reported that bleach has been an effective treatment to kill nail fungus.
Even though scientists are still researching on it, but it is undoubtedly a wonderful cure for many.
Most people who think it a useless activity to visit the clinics for nail fungus find it an absolute love. As it is available in almost every household.
The most wide-spread use of bleach as toenail fungus killer is as foot soaks.
Using the dilute bleach solution is fine, as the concentrated solution is a bit harsh on the skin. It may cause irritation as well.
Bleach is alkaline in nature, but it has the Hypochlorite ion, which is a great oxidizing agent killing all the microbes and bacteria.
How to use bleach to get rid of the nail fungus?
- You need a liter of water, and a tablespoon of bleach. Mix both he ingredients together and let them sit for almost seven minutes. Now, soak your feet in it for 30 minutes everyday till you see the improvement.
- Using it with petroleum jelly, you can apply as much as you want it is for the protection. Now take a Q-tip dip it in the bleach and apply on the infected spot.
- You can also have bleach pens to treat nail fungus as well. These are specially designed to work as a spot corrector.
Pros of using bleach for toenail fungus
- It kills the bacteria and other microbes on your skin.
- Affordable home remedy for nail fungus.
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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.
How Is Toenail Fungus Treated
Toenail fungus is notoriously tricky to treat. You may need to treat tinea unguium for several months to get rid of the fungus. Still, toenail fungus often comes back.
A skin specialist or foot doctor can explain your treatment options. If you have a mild case that doesnt bother you, your healthcare provider may recommend no treatment.
Tinea unguium treatment options include:
Oral antifungal medication
You can take a prescribed oral antifungal medication to treat the fungus. Options include terbinafine , itraconazole or fluconazole . Youll need to take the medication every day for several months . Your healthcare provider may use blood tests to check for potential medication side effects. These medications can affect your liver and interact with other medications, so oral antifungals arent for everyone.
Topical medication
You can regularly apply a topical medication right onto your nail. The medication treats the fungus over time. Topical medications are most effective when paired with oral medications.
Laser treatments
Your healthcare provider will direct a high-tech laser beam and special lights at your toenail to treat the fungus. Lasers are U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved for temporary increase of clear nail in nail fungus, but theyre not a cure. Cure rates for laser treatment are lower than oral and topical mediations. Your healthcare provider wont typically use lasers as first-line treatments for nail fungus.
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