What Is Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is an infection that lives underneath the nail, in the skin of the nail bed. Toenail fungus is more than a cosmetic concern.
Images show a range of disease severity.
Symptoms of toenail fungus may include:
- Thickening of the nail
Factors that can increase the risk of developing toenail fungus include:
- Wearing closed-toe shoes
- Getting pedicures with improperly sanitized tools
- Having a chronic illness, such as diabetes or HIV
- Having a deformed nail or a nail disease
There Is A Wide Range Of Options With Varying Success Rates
Other than keeping your toenails trimmed and perhaps painted, you may not pay much attention to them unless a problem develops. Healthy toenails are pink, shiny and smooth, but a fungal infection can cause them to become discolored, thick, brittle and even painful.
Toenail fungal infection, known as onychomycosis, is a common but challenging condition toenail fungus treatments include a wide range of options with varying success rates.
Causes of toenail fungus
Fungal nail infections are usually caused by fungi called dermatophytes that infect the skin beneath the nail yeast is another common culprit. Toenails are especially vulnerable to infection when your bare feet contact damp surfaces such as showers, swimming pools and locker rooms. If you have athletes foot, the infection can spread to the nails.
Wearing closed shoes such as athletic shoes for extended periods also can contribute to infection if your shoes and/or socks are damp from perspiration or heat. Moreover, if your shoes fit snugly enough to put pressure on your toes, they can damage the nail bed, making it more susceptible to infection.
People with chronic diseases, such as diabetes or circulatory problems, also may be more prone to toenail infections.
Symptoms of toenail fungus
Toenail fungus symptoms can develop slowly over time and may go unnoticed at first. Symptoms can include:
Toenail fungus treatments
When to see a doctor for toenail fungus
Preventing toenail fungus
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.
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Preventing A Fungal Nail Infection
There are ways to protect your toenails from fungus that dont require any medication at all.
Try moisture-wicking socks to keep your feet as dry as possible. Avoid ill-fitting shoes that dig into your toenails and may damage them. And, be sure to wear sandals in communal showers and bathrooms.2
Its important to note that treating toenail fungus can be a frustrating journey. Many people experience failure of treatment, up to as many as 53% no matter what medication is used.1 The condition may take a while to clear and may require different trials of treatment to determine the best combination. Stay patient and remember to keep speaking with your healthcare provider about any treatments or medications that might be right for you.
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The Best Nail Fungus Treatment: What Really Works For Yellow Crumbly Nails
Riverchase Dermatology
Nail fungus isnt pretty. The nails can become misshapen, thick, crumbly and brittle. They may turn a nasty color yellow, green or brown. Fungal infections of the nail can also produce a slightly foul smell. If youve developed toenail fungus or fingernail fungus, youre no doubt searching for the best nail fungus treatment, one that will restore your nails to normal as quickly as possible.
So, how to get rid of nail fungus fast? Unfortunately, its not easy. It may take trial and error to find the best nail fungus treatment for you, and no treatment for nail fungus can get rid of it overnight.
There are many over-the-counter nail fungus medicines available, but they may take two months or longer to work, if they work at all and the nail fungus may return. Topical medicines treat the fungus on the skin surrounding your nail but arent as effective at killing fungus in the nail bed.
If you think you have nail fungus, see you dermatologist to make sure. The dermatologist can make an accurate diagnosis and come up with a treatment plan.
Your dermatologist will likely trim the infected nail and scrape away any debris under it, which helps get rid of some of the fungus. The doctor may take a sample of the fungus to identify which type is causing the infection, which helps them decide the best treatment. Your nail fungus treatment plan may include any of the following.
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Baking Soda For Toenail Fungus
Baking soda is a celebrated solution for nail fungus.
It is easily available in almost every house, and you only need to cleanse your feet with the baking soda.
The baking soda is a reliable home remedy as there are no hurting disadvantages of baking soda on nail fungus.
The baking soda can be used in different ways. Each way to use baking soda for nail fungus is effective as long as you are consistent in using it.
Using baking soda as a treatment for nail fungus will take longer than you have expected it may take as long as six months.
Ways to use baking soda for nail fungus
- Using baking soda with water. You can make a diluted solution of baking soda and apply it on your infected nail to treat nail fungus.
- Make a foot soak of baking soda, water, and shampoo. Add a tablespoon of baking soda in a tablespoon of shampoo, and two liters of water. Soak your Feet twice a day for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Using baking soda with apple cider vinegar is also an effective remedy. You need a cup of apple cider vinegar for it and dilute it with triple amount of water. it is required for those who have sensitive skin, now add three teaspoons of baking soda in it and soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes in its daily.
- You can also use the baking soda with boric acid. You need a three teaspoon of boric acid, two teaspoon of baking soda, and a liter of water to prepare this foot soak.
Pros of using baking soda as a toenail fungus remedy
- It is Anti-inflammatory.
Cons of using baking soda
What Is The Most Effective Treatment For Toenail Fungus
The most effective toenail fungus treatment for you will largely depend on your symptoms and situation. Your provider will consider several factors before recommending a treatment plan thats customized to you.
Overall, oral antifungal medications may offer the most treatment potential. Pairing oral drugs with topical antifungal medication may make treatment more effective.
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How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus
It is natural to wonder how to get rid of toenail fungus. Some people have heard that home remedies such as apple cider vinegar, Vicks VapoRub, tea tree oil or bleach can cure toenail fungus. While some home remedies are relatively harmless when used as directed, there have been few to no good studies demonstrating that any such home remedy is actually effective in curing toenail fungus symptoms. On the other hand, several prescription medications for toenail fungus exist which have demonstrated results as a cure for toenail fungus.
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Some Side Effects Can Be Serious The Following Symptoms Are Uncommon But If You Experience Any Of Them Call Your Doctor Immediately:
- irritation, itching, burning, blistering, swelling, or oozing at the place where you applied ciclopirox
- pain at the affected nail or surrounding area
- discoloration or change in shape of nail
Ciclopirox topical solution may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
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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:
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.
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What Is The Best Medication For Toenail Fungus
Below is a list of the most recommended prescription treatment for toenail fungus.
| Best medications for toenail fungus | |
|---|---|
| Drug name | |
| 200 mg once daily for 12 consecutive weeks | Nausea, vomiting, rash, headache |
Dosage is determined by your doctor based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and age. Other possible side effects exist. This is not a complete list. A very rare side effect can be trouble breathing if this occurs, seek immediate emergency medical attention.
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Ive Heard About This New Laser Treatment For Fungal Toenails Is Laser Treatment Effective
We are having a success rate of approximately 75% percent treating nails with the Pinpointe Footlaser. As with other treatments, effectiveness is affected by the severity of the initial nail condition and how long the nails have been infected.
It is also important that patients comply with instructions for using a topical medication after the laser treatment has been performed. In addition, multiple treatments may be necessary to completely eradicate the problem.
What Should I Avoid While Using Ciclopirox Topical
Avoid contact with the eyes, nose, and inside of the mouth. If this does happen, rinse with water.
Avoid using other medications on the areas you treat with ciclopirox topical unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not use nail polish, artificial nails, or other cosmetic nail products on the nails treated with ciclopirox nail lacquer.
Avoid wearing tight-fitting, synthetic clothing that doesn’t allow air circulation. Wear loose-fitting clothing made of cotton and other natural fibers until the infection is healed.
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The Lamisil Terbinafine Antifungal Cream Treats Fungus All Over The Body
Sarah is a freelance writer with a focus on health and wellness. She has written for publications like Women’s Health, Healthline, and Parents. She taught creative writing for five years, and has a bachelor’s degree in English from Southern Connecticut State University.
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Verywell Health / Peter Ardito
Toenail fungus is a common fungal condition that often starts after a rash on the foot spreads to the nails. When mild, it looks like white and yellow spots growing under the nail beds. If left untreated, the fungus can grow severely by hardening the nails and spreading to other toes.
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.
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What Is Ciclopirox Topical
Ciclopirox is an antifungal medicine that prevents fungus from growing on your skin.
Ciclopirox topical cream, gel, and lotion formulations are used to treat skin infections such as athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, and yeast infections.
Ciclopirox shampoo is used to treat seborrheic dermatitis, an inflammatory skin condition of the scalp.
Ciclopirox nail lacquer is used to treat fungal infections of the toenails and fingernails.
Ciclopirox topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
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 won’t reattach, and a new nail won’t 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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Home Remedies For Nail Fungus
Some people try over-the-counter products such as Vicks VapoRub or tea tree oil as home remedies for nail fungus. Vicks VapoRub contains camphor and eucalyptus oil, which may have anti-fungal effects when applied regularly over time. Tea tree oil for nail fungus could in theory help because the oil has anti-fungal properties. But dont count on either of these for a fast or permanent cure. Seeing a dermatologist is your best bet for treating nail fungus.
Jessica Brown, a health and science writer/editor based in Nanuet, New York. She has written for Waters Edge Dermatology, Prevention magazine, jnj.com, BCRF.org, and many other outlets.
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.
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