Prescription Nail Fungus Topical Treatment

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:

Nail Fungus: Polish Cream Or Tablets

Nail fungus can be very persistent. Topical treatment with nail polish may take up to one year. Tablets for treating fungal nail infections usually have to be taken for several weeks or months. They are much more effective than topical treatments, but they have more side effects.

Brittle nails and a whitish-yellowish or brownish discoloration are typical signs of nail fungus. The nails may also become thicker and change shape. The affected part of the nail sometimes detaches from the nail bed. The treatment options for nail fungus include nail polishes and creams as well as tablets. Nail polishes and creams are available in pharmacies without a prescription.

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Nail Fungus Prescription Medication Options

Prescription medications for nail fungus come in two forms, topical treatments to be applied to the nail and oral medications to be taken by mouth. Which one is prescribed generally depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the fungal infection and whether or not you have any other medical problems.

Oral antifungal drugs like fluconazole , itraconazole , and terbinafine are very effective but can have serious side effects, including liver damage. They are less effective in people over the age of 65. In addition, they may not be safe for people with heart or liver problems and cannot be taken with certain other medications. If prescribed, your doctor may order regular blood tests to monitor your liver function.

Topical antifungal medications like ketoconazole , terbinafine , and ciclopirox are safer but may be less effective in severe cases and may need to be used for much longer periods of time. For instance, while oral medications are usually prescribed for three months, topical treatments may need to be used for six months or longer. To learn more about topical treatments for nail fungus, check out our Nail Fungus Topical Treatment Guide.

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Amorolfine 5% Topical Lotion

The fungistatic and fungicidal effects of amorolfine 5% topical lotion are produced through the inhibition of ergosterol synthesis. This drug should be applied to the nailtwice a week for 6 to 12 months.

Adverse effects of this drug are very infrequent and are usually mild. For example, reddening of the skin, itching, pain, and a burning sensation. However, studies state that its a drug with a lower range of cure and involves long-term treatments.

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Toenail Fungus Treatment What Are My Options

What is toenail fungus and fingernail fungus?

• Fungal infections of the nails can be a persistent and sometimes embarrassing problem and occasionally can become painful. These infections develop when fungi, known as dermatophytes, burrow under nails causing them to become crusty, thick, discolored, and distorted.

What are the symptoms of toenail fungus and fingernail fungus?

• The first signs and symptoms of fingernail or toenail fungus is a white or yellow spot appearing underneath the tip of the nail, which then thickens and distorts the nail as the infection progresses. As fungi grow under and into the nail, crusting, discoloration, and darkening begin. Moreover, infected nails often separate from the nail bed, which can cause pain in the tips of fingers and toes, as well as a slightly foul-smelling odor.

What are the causes of fingernail and toenail fungus?

What are the conventional fingernail and toenail fungus treatments?

Toenail Fungus Prevention

• Vinegar has been used traditionally to ward off nail fungus. Evidence of efficacy is sketchy at best, but you could try soaking your feet in one part vinegar to two parts warm water for 15 to 20 minutes daily.

Whatever treatment you choose, take these precautions to prevent recurrences:

A final consideration:

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What Other Information Should I Know

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Is Nail Fungus Contagious

Nail fungus is very contagious and can quickly spread with direct contact. Thats why you should always wear shower shoes in community showers, swimming pools, or locker rooms. The dermatophytes that cause nail fungus can live on surfaces for months at a time. All it takes is one person with a fungus to potentially infect the entire area and spread it to everyone else.

Nail fungus can even be contagious to other parts of your body. The largest risk is other toenails and your fingernails. But in some cases, nail fungus can spread to the skin between your toes , groin , or your scalp.

In rare cases, dermatophytes can spread to your skin and cause ringworm. These itchy little red rings can spread on your body much easier than nail fungus so youll need to treat them quickly.

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What Causes An Ingrown Nail

An ingrown nail occurs when the side of your nail grows into the soft support tissue of your toe or finger. This leads to inflammation and pain.

There are several reasons why ingrown nails happen, including:

• Improper nail trimming: This is a common reason for developing ingrown nails. Cutting the nail too short or at an improper angle increases the risk of a nail becoming ingrown as it regrows.

• Wearing tight- or ill-fitting shoes: Tight shoes can cause increased pressure on the nail. This can cause nail fragments to grow deep into the skin and also increases the risk of recurrence.

• Repeated trauma to the toenail: Ingrown nails can happen with certain athletic activities, especially those that involve running or kicking.

• Excessive sweating: Heavy sweating can cause moist skin and nails. Softer nails may split more often and grow into the skin.

• Overly curved toenails: This is uncommon, but misshapen nails can cause repeated ingrown toenails.

• Genetics: A condition causing deformed fingers or toes can also lead to ingrown nails.

What Is Keravita Pro Topical Prescription Toenail Fungus Treatment

Keravita Pro is a dietary supplement with natural ingredients, offering the best support to those struggling with nail fungus, as well as others who may need a boost of essential vitamins and minerals. It improves hair, skin, circulation, mood, and overall wellness. One bottle of Keravita Pro is worth 60 capsules, each one of them easy to swallow.

After a series events that changed his life, Benjamin Jones, a Florida businessman, created Keravita Pro. His entire life had been affected by toenail and other skin problems, which had only gotten worse over the years. His wife, who was transitioning to a healthier lifestyle, helped him get out of those problems by following a balanced diet and exercise regimen. Jones then gathered all the plant extracts that fixed his issues into a digestible supplement.

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What Causes Toenail Fungus

What is toenail fungus and what causes it? Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a type of fungal infection that specifically affects the nails. This fungus usually affects the toenails but can also affect the fingernails. A toenail fungus infection is caused by a group of fungi known as dermatophytes . Fingernails and toenails infected with fungus become brittle and can turn white, yellow or even black in color. The surrounding skin can also become infected, leading to pain and swelling. Sometimes, toenail fungus cultures are performed before initiating treatment for a toenail fungus infection.

Do Ingrown Nails Go Away If Treated

The treatment for ingrown nails is successful for the most part. Recurrence rates vary depending on the treatment method used.

In general, nail removal combined with chemical matrixectomy has greater success than nail removal alone. Thats because the nail is less likely to regrow. With nail removal alone, the recurrence rates are much higher.

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Why Trust Verywell Health

As a seasoned health writer, Danielle Zoellner knows the importance of finding just the right product to fit your medical needs. Throughout her career, Danielle has interviewed a variety of experts in the medical and health fields while reviewing dozens of products. Her experience and knowledge in the field work together to help readers like yourself find the best products for your daily life.

Additional reporting for this story by Jennifer Nied and Sarah Bradley

For over 10 years, Jennifer Nied has reviewed products, interviewed experts, scrutinized ingredients, and pored over research studies and claims, to help readers like you understand what works for your specific conditions. Every product in this piece was selected taking into account recommendations from doctors, published research, and real customer reviews.

Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since 2017everything from product roundups and illness FAQs to nutrition explainers and the dish on diet trends. She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy and expert-approved advice about over-the-counter products that manage everyday health conditions, from GI issues and allergies to chronic headaches and joint pain.

So Should You Use Topical Otc Anti

In our opinion there are no OTC anti-fungals that work as well as the prescription medications and the prescription topicals dont work that well either. In particular, avoid any OTC topical medications if they make any of the following claims:

• They claim to have the most effective fungus treatment.
• They claim that they have the best ingredients
• They claim that their product will cure nail fungus

If you are going to try a topical medication for nail fungus, get a prescription from your doctor for Ciclopirox, Kerydin or Jublia. They are all more effective than any OTC topical. And Ciclopirox is both more effective and less expensive than OTC anti-fungals.

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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.

Nail Fungus Treatment: Taking Care Of Business

Many of us only pay attention to our toes when its time to trim our nails.

Unless you live near the beach, most daily-shoed Americans arent much concerned with our feet unless theres something clearly amiss.

Its easy to take your feet for granted obviously, you know theyre essential for standing up and walking around, but your feet can actually serve as a strong indicator of your overall health! And its no surprise that nearly three in every four Americans experience at least one major foot related issue in their life. Chronic foot pain can be an early sign of diabetes, arthritis, or being overweight.

Fungus is another common medical issue for feet.

Thankfully, toenail fungus treatments are fairly simple regardless of the type of fungus heres what you need to know about treating toe fungus effectively.

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How Fungi Infect The Nail

Onychomycosis, or toenail fungal infection, is an invasion by a microscopic organism that thrives in warm, damp environments. Fungal spores are in the air, and they will grow if they land on a receptive surface like your toenail. They feed off the nail tissues, burrowing into the skin under the nail. Over time the nail thickens and may lift off the nail bed as fungal debris accumulates. Once your nail is raised off the nail bed, it wont reattach, and a new nail wont grow from that part of the nail bed. However, your nail will continue to grow from the root at the base.

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How Should I Take Lamisil

Take Lamisil exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

You may take the tablet with or without food.

Lamisil granules should be sprinkled into a spoonful of pudding or mashed potatoes . Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use.

Lamisil is usually taken for 6 weeks to treat scalp or fingernail infections, and for 12 weeks to treat a toenail infection.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antifungal medicine. Terbinafine will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

While using this medicine, you may need frequent blood tests.

It may take several months for your nails to return to their normal appearance after your treatment with Lamisil.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the oral granules in their sealed packet until you are ready to use.

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Signs And Symptoms Of A Fungal Nail Infection

A fungal nail infection may not cause any obvious symptoms at first.

As it progresses, the infection can cause:

• discolouration of the nail it may turn white, black, yellow or green
• thickening and distortion of the nail it may become an unusual shape or texture and be difficult to trim
• pain or discomfort particularly when using or placing pressure on the affected toe or finger
• brittle or crumbly nails pieces may break off and come away completely

Sometimes the skin nearby may also become infected and be itchy and cracked or red and swollen.

Toenail Fungus Can Be Treated

Nail infections generally wonât go away on their own, but treatment options are available. Itâs important to see a doctor, who will suggest the treatment that best suits you.

Both prescription and non-prescription treatment options are available for treating toenail fungus infections.

A toenail fungus infection is a real health issue.

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Thing To Know About Fungal Nails

Many changes in fingernails or toenails may cause people to think they have a fungal infection of the nails, medically known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium.

Fungal infection of the nails sometimes makes the condition sound contagious or related to poor hygiene. In fact, up to 10% of all adults in Western countries have a fungal infection of the nails. This percentage increases to 20% of adults who are age 60 or older. Toenail fungus is much more common than fingernail fungus.

In reality, abnormal-looking nails may be caused by a number of conditions including, but not limited to, a fungal infection. There are many other reasons why your nails may look different.

Whats The Deal With Oral Medications To Treat Nail Fungus Ive Heard They Can Hurt My Liver

Treatment with oral medication remains the most effective means of getting rid of nail fungus with a success rate of more than 80%. In the past, oral medications were avoided because of the risk of side effects and the cost of the medications. Fortunately, the medications most commonly used today, terbinafine and itraconazole, have proven to be very safe.

It is often advised to obtain a blood test to check the liver prior to starting the medication, but our patients have never suffered any significant side effects related to the liver. In addition, both medications are now available generically and a course of terbinafine can be purchased for less than a hundred dollars at most pharmacies.

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How Do Dermatologists Diagnose Nail Fungus

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.