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.
Complications Of Yellow Nail Syndrome
Yellow nail syndrome is also associated with bronchiectasis, which is when the small airways in your lung become abnormally widened, weak, and scarred. In bronchiectasis, airway mucus cant be properly moved. As a result, you could end up developing pneumonia if your lungs fill up with germy mucus and become infected. This bronchiectasis, in addition to the fluid that builds up in the pleural space outside of the lungs, causes lung problems.
Theres no one treatment for yellow nail syndrome. Treatment addresses specific symptoms of the condition and may include:
- topical or oral vitamin E for nail discoloration
- corticosteroids
What Is Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is usually an infection of the toenail caused by opportunistic fungi, explains Oliva. It may cause your nail to turn a yellow or white hue, thicken, or crumble at the outer edges.
While toenail fungus can occur in people of all ages, board-certified dermatologist Marie Hayag, MD, says that its most common in older folks. As the nail ages, it is prone to becoming brittle and dry, which can result in cracks in the nails that make it susceptible to fungal infections, she explains, noting that all of the aforementioned causes can be even more of a concern as a result.
Meet the Expert
- , MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Manhattan. She is an assistant clinical professor at Mount Sinai Hospital and also teaches in the Dermatology Departments surgery clinic.
- Francisco Oliva, DPM, is a Miami-based podiatrist who has been in private practice for 25+ years.
Nevertheless, because developing a toenail fungus can occur at all ages, we reveal the best ways to treat toenail fungus at home, below.
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How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus Fast And Easy
- FAQ
- How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus Fast And Easy?
Toenail fungus can be difficult to get rid of. Often, if the wrong treatment is applied, it can get worse. Thats why you need to know how to get rid of toenail fungus fast, the RIGHT way, so it doesnt come back.
We recommend over the counter treatments for those looking learning how to get rid of fungus on toenails because options like laser treatments are expensive, nail removal is painful, and home remedies rarely work . We recommend that you try a topical, over the counter treatment for your nail fungus.
Why? Because it is your least expensive yet most effective option. However, if you have a few hundred dollars to spend then you should definitely visit your doctor as he/she can offer you different toenail fungus treatment options. Some of the options your doctor may prescribe are Antifungal lacquers and prescription strength lotions. Both of these are good for those people with mild to moderate infections.
Another option is surgery. Surgery is recommended for those who have severe, painful nail fungus. There are several types of surgery such as laser and nail removal. Both are expensive and can be very painful.
More About How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus, although not a painful condition can be very embarrassing. It is a condition where fungus invades the nail beds, causing a discoloration and a change in texture.
Types Of Toenail Fungus Treatments
Over The Counter Toenail Fungus Treatment Products
How To Diagnose Yellow Nail Syndrome
You shouldnt ignore a change in nail color or shape, especially if your nails turn yellow. Yellow nails can indicate a problem with your liver or kidney, diabetes mellitus, fungal infections, or psoriasis, which need to be treated by a doctor.
If you develop yellow nails along with swelling or respiratory problems, see a doctor.
A doctor may diagnose yellow nail syndrome if you exhibit primary symptoms of the condition. Your doctor may also order a pulmonary function test to measure how well your lungs work or take a sample of your nail to check for fungus.
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Case Study: Treating Toenail Fungus With Bleach & Urgent Fungus Destroyer
To support the evidence and our justification that bleach can treat toenail fungus, but not always, we are sharing a case study.
Jeff: 8 months ago, my grandmother felt a pain in her toenails, on examining we found that it was infected with toenail fungus.
We tried bleach for almost 6 weeks, twice a day. As she is an elderly person, so the diluted solution of bleach with water was thought to be a better solution.
Below is the picture of the second week.
Until 5 weeks, there were no noticeable difference, however the nail grew yellower overtime. So, we decided to take her to physician. There he prescribed the probiotic urgent fungus destroyer.
After the continuous use of Urgent fungus destroyer, for almost 70 days the toenail gradually came back to the normal state, and she got rid of the toenail fungus.
We have found that it is better to use some internal treatment as well. Getting fungal infections is a sign that the immune system is not working properly and is unable to find the attack of microbes.
There is no point in treating toenail fungus with home-remedies or topical solutions without the internal medications.
About Fungal Nail Infection
Many people develop a fungal nail infection at some point in their life. It’s not usually serious, but can be unpleasant and difficult to treat.
The infection develops slowly and causes the nail to become discoloured, thickened and distorted.
Toenails are more frequently affected than the fingernails.
The medical name for a fungal nail infection is onychomycosis.
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Vaseline Treatment For Toenail Fungus: Is It Good Uses & Side Effects
Toenail fungus can affect anyone and usually, people have to consume many anti-fungal or anti-bacterial medicines to prevent it from spreading.
The medicines can stop the fungus to affect all our organs and body. However, since some medicines have a lot of side-effects, people prefer doing some home remedies too.
Using home remedies alongside your treatment can aid in faster healing.
Vaseline treatment is an excellent home remedy to treat toenail fungus. Let us discuss how vaseline treatment is an effective toenail fungus remedy.
Prevention And Treatment Of Toenail Fungus
Once its taken hold, toenail fungus can be hard to kick. Here are some techniques for the prevention and treatment of toenail fungus.
Anyone who enjoys wearing open-toed sandals in the summer knows how good it feels to have healthy-looking toenails. But good looks arent the only reason to keep your toenails in top shape. Fungal infections of the toenails also known as onychomycosis don’t go away on their own, and if left untreated, the fungus will spread and can eventually destroy the nail.
If you have comprised blood flow, theres even more reason to safeguard your toenails, since youll have trouble healing, says Ami Sheth, a doctor of podiatric medicine in Los Gatos, California, and a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association. And once you have a wound, you can get fungal skin infections, which can lead to a subsequent bacterial infection if the skin breaks down, notes Dr. Sheth.
However, because toenail fungal infections are typically painless, people are often unaware that they have a problem unless they are inspecting their feet regularly.
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Treating Toenail Fungus Medically
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.
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Best Medicated Nail Polish: Arishine Toenail Fungus Treatment
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Treats discoloration, brittleness, and cracked nails
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Easy, on-the-go treatment
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Only works on nail plates
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Treatment process can be slow
The Arishine Toenail Treatment has the design and convenience of a pencil. Perfect for storing in a bag or pocket while at work, the repair pencil allows you to use a paintable nail polish on your infected toenail three times a day with ease to treat a nail fungal issue.
The Arishine treatment uses two percent deacetylated chitin, three percent O-hydroxybenzoic acid, and Angelica dahurica as active ingredients to get rid of fungus and heal the damage. This solution can help treat discoloration, brittleness, split, rough, and cracked nails. Ultimately, this medicated nail polish can lead to stronger and healthier nails.
Arishine is made of natural ingredients and does not conduct animal testing. Treatment requires three applications a day and should be used for four to 12 weeks, although improvement may be visible in as few as two weeks. Arishine offers customers a satisfaction guarantee.
Active Ingredients: Deacetylated chitin , O-hydroxybenzoic acid , and Angelica dahurica | Dose: Applicator automatically delivers correct amount with two to three clicks. Apply around nail on cuticles and under nail bed. | Uses: Treats fungus infection on and around nails helps heal discolored, brittle nails
Who Is Most Likely To Develop Fungal Infections
Men are at a higher risk of developing fungal infections as compared to women. The reason is their poorer immunity as compared to women as the only fighting factor that prevents fungus from occurring in the immune system and women are said to have a stronger immune system than men.
Older people have more chances of developing finger and toenail infections. This is due to their poor circulation system as our antibodies are present in blood so a poorer circulation speed will result in the rate at which antibodies reach the target site to be slowed down. Besides that, our nails also grow more slowly and thicken as we age.
People suffering from diabetes develop foot infections more often. Because the healing power of people suffering from diabetes is affected drastically due to their abnormal blood sugar level. Risen sugar levels result in poor immunity thus more prone to bacterial infections.
Moreover, if you regularly wear artificial nails or apply nail polish that is shared with several people or have a nail injury the chances of bacteria attacking and causing an infection are more likely. Also, swimming in public swimming pools, visiting swampy, high moisture places and wearing closed shoes such as boots and tennis shoes and gloves will cause fingernails and toenails to develop a fungal infection.
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Apply Or Consume Garlic
A 2019 study indicates that garlic is an antifungal powerhouse, potentially making it a gem for treating toenail fungal infections. It is best to place crushed or chopped garlic on the affected area daily, Hayag says. It is important to take caution when following this remedy, as garlic has the potential to cause chemical burns to the skin. To avoid any burns, theres also the option of taking garlic supplements to see if that might help clear things up.
How To Treat Fungal Nail Effectively
Owing to the high recurrence rate of fungal nail infections, pharmacy professionals should be able to advise patients on effective treatment and preventative and appropriate self-care strategies to avoid re-infection.
Shutterstock
Fungal nail infection is a mycotic infection caused by fungal invasion of the nail structure and is one of the most common nail disorders, representing half of nail abnormalities in adults. Its prevalence in Europe is around 4.3% over all age groups and 15.5% of all nail dystrophies in children. OM is more commonly diagnosed in men and older people, affecting 2050% of people aged over 60 years. An increased incidence among older people may be attributed to multiple factors, including reduced peripheral circulation, diabetes, inactivity, relative immunosuppression, and reduced nail growth and quality. Toenails are affected more commonly than fingernails.
This article will cover the causes, types and treatment of OM, practical information to help guide patient consultations and when to refer to podiatry.
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Using Baking Soda For Nail Fungus
The baking soda will be an effective treatment for nail fungus. You can count it as a home remedy for nail fungus. Baking soda is alkaline in nature, and it will take almost three months to treat toenail fungus. You can make a paste of baking soda and apply it on your toenail regularly for best results.
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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
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How Effective Is Apple Cider Vinegar For Toenail Fungus For Those Not Diabetic
There have been many researches to show that using vinegar foot soaks will help clear off toenail fungus infection with regular use. However, it is important to note that although the remedy works for many people, there have been reliable researches proving that the treatment only works on those whose fungus infection is mild. This means if your toenail fungus infection is very bad, this treatment may not work for you.
