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.
How Should I Take Terbinafine
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 terbinafine tablet with or without food.
Terbinafine 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.
Terbinafine 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 terbinafine, you may need frequent blood tests.
It may take several months for your nails to return to their normal appearance after your treatment with terbinafine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the terbinafine oral granules in their sealed packet until you are ready to use.
Do Prescription Topical Nail Fungus Medicines Work
In fact, there is are three topical medications on the market that has been shown in reputable studies to actually help kill the fungus AND make infected nails look better. It is important to note, however, that while they have been shown to help, none of them work particularly well. The best ones only work about 15% of the time.
The oldest one is the medication Ciclopirox. Ciclopirox Nail Lacquer is a topical nail solution that actually has been studied and found to be effective at clearing the nail in some patients. In addition, Ciclopirox is much cheaper than many OTC topicals. Ive seen in available for under $12 for a 3 month supply. You can read more detailed information here about Ciclopirox.
But here is the kicker even Ciclopirox only works about 8% of the time.
The reality is that no topical medication works well to clear nail fungus in most cases. None of them penetrate deep enough to make a difference in most people with the fungal infection.
We often use Ciclopirox to help prevent reinfection of the nail after treating the fungus with oral medication or laser, but do not consider any topical as an effective treatment on their own.
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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
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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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
How Can I Find Out Which Of The Treatments Will Work Best For Me
The most important thing to do when you have a fungal infection in the nail is to see a podiatrist who is experienced with all of the treatment options, and who utilizes a specialty lab for fungus testing.
The doctor, or preferably a podiatrist, should present you with all of the treatment options and the chances of success in your case. Then you will have the information necessary to decide on the treatment that works best with your lifestyle and comfort level.
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Curing Toenail Fungus With Prescription Drugs
Thanks to the advancements of modern medicine, curing toenail fungus with antifungal prescription medicines has become quite regular. As this is an infection that can spread easily, both throughout a persons nails and through a populous, treating it has become of higher concern than it used to be.
What does an infected toenail look like?
The first and most common symptom to develop is a whitish or yellowish spot on your nail. Gradually this will cover your entire nail and you may eventually develop dark yellow and brown spots on the nail. Your nail will become thick and brittle as the fungus burrows deep into and underneath the nail on its quest to spread.
Infection occurs when people are exposed to the spores of the fungus. This can happen if you wander around barefoot, especially in areas that are particularly dirty, if your shoes are dirty or excessively damaged, and if you have particularly sweaty feet as heat and humidity are two key ingredients to a successful fungus growing environment.
Nails can become discolored due to trauma at the nail site, rubbing of the nail from the shoe and even if you have psoriasis. It is best to consult your doctor to determine what is causing the discoloration so that you can work together to come up with the best treatment.
Topical Medications
Side Effects
Penlac has been known to cause skin irritation and itching where it has been applied.
Oral Antifungal Medications
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.
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Prescription Medication For Toenail Fungal Infections
Medications used to treat toenail fungal infections are classified as an anti-fungal. These drugs are often taken by mouth, and have frequently been associated with a long list of risky side effects, as well as being rather pricey. While the majority of prescribed anti-fungal agents are oral medication, there are also a few topical fungicides that doctors use to treat an infection in the early stages. Oral or topical the normal length of treatment is 12 weeks for toenail fungus and 6 week for fingernail.
Toenail fungal infections are very difficult to cure, and the process is usually long and pain staking. Before you can begin treatment, your doctor must figure out which type of fungus is causing the problem, from there your doctor will prescribe a medication to treat the fungus. This is where you need to be very careful these drugs are very hard on the body and have a long list of side effects, as well as the potential for some very serious drug-drug interactions. You must be sure you tell your doctor about any and all medications you are on, over the counter and prescribed.
There are a handful of other medications used to treat toenail fungal infections such as:
ciclopirox – a topical nail polish
itraconazole is a fairly new drug, this drug works along the same lines as Lamasil
griseofulvin is a very old drug and is rarely used anymore due to its lack of efficiency.
ketoconazole is very effective however is not as widely used due to the high risks of hepatotoxicity.
How Should I Use Ciclopirox Topical
Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Wash your hands before and after using this medication, unless you are using ciclopirox to treat a hand condition.
To apply the cream, gel, or lotion:
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Clean and dry the affected area. Apply a small amount of the cream for 2 to 4 weeks. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
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Do not use bandages or dressings that do not allow air to circulate on areas treated with ciclopirox cream or lotion, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Wear loose-fitting clothing .
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If the infection does not clear up in 4 weeks, or if it appears to get worse, see your doctor.
To use ciclopirox shampoo:
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Wet the hair and apply approximately 1 teaspoon of the shampoo to the scalp. Up to 2 teaspoons may be used for long hair. Lather and leave on the hair and scalp for 3 minutes. A timer may be used.
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Treatment should be repeated twice per week for 4 weeks, with a minimum of 3 days between applications. If no improvement is seen after 4 weeks of treatment, contact your doctor.
It may take up to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve after using ciclopirox topical cream, gel, lotion, or shampoo. Keep using the medicine as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.
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When To See A Doctor
In most cases, toenail fungus is considered a cosmetic problem. Still, it may cause serious complications for some people.
If you have diabetes, toenail fungus may lead to foot ulcers or other foot problems. According to a 2012 study, chronic toenail fungus is a significant risk factor for bacterial cellulitis of the leg.
If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, you shouldnt use home remedies for toenail fungus. Contact your doctor for the appropriate course of action.
Is It Possible To Prevent The Recurrence Of Nail Fungus
Tinea pedis, also known as athlete’s foot or foot fungus, can cause the recurrence of fungal nails. Therefore, it is important to manage this condition. One can apply over-the-counter antifungal medicines such as clotrimazole or terbinafine cream as directed to the affected skin. Keeping footwear and socks clean can be helpful. You can also use portable UV light sanitizers to disinfect shoes.
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> > > Nail Fungus: You Eat This Everyday And Its Feeding The Infection
Treatments Prescription Toe Fungus Treatment
There are a number of treatments for onychomycosis. Unfortunately, many are not very effective. The most aggressive and effective way to treat the fungus is with oral anti-fungal medications. The most common oral anti-fungal medications are Itraconazole and Terbinafine . Both medications are expensive and insurance companies tend to consider onychomycosis a cosmetic problem. If you are diabetic, your insurance company may consider onychomycosis a medical problem, and will cover the treatment. If you are experiencing pain or have developed ingrown toenails as a result, then your insurance company may cover treatment. The medication needs to be taken once daily for 3 months. The effectiveness of the medications ranges from 60 to 80%, with a recurrence rate of about 10-15%. Complete cure rates have been reported as low as 28%. Lamisil® appears to be more effective and has fewer drug interactions than Sporonox®. Prescription Toe Fungus Treatment
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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Toenail Fungus Treatments: What You Can Do To Stop Fungal
You can buy antifungal creams, Gilmores Energy Supplement: https://amzn.to/2EVFADzT.Stone tool: http://amzn.to/2nAIrtYManicAuthor: Worlds Greatest Medical, He or she may also take some nail clippings or scrape debris from under your nail and send the sample to a lab to identify the type of fungus causing the infection.Other conditions, Fungus Stop, for most healthy adults toenail fungus doesnt pose any serious health risks, Anti Fungus Nail Treatment, tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant with fungicidal and antiseptic properties that make it10 Home Remedies for Toenail FungusPublished: Feb 18, this anti-fungal medicine is prescribed if the fungal nail #2: Topical Applications, This is not the case because the nail
An Established Fungal Infection Is Hard To Eradicate But You Can Stop Its Spread And Improve Your Toenail’s Appearance
Toenail fungus isn’t a pressing health problem. Yet a fungal infection can ruin the appearance of your nails and cause pain as it lifts the nail away from the nail bed. And fungal infections are notoriously difficult to get rid of. Most often, you should consider fungal toenail a condition to be managed rather than cured.
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How Effective Are Topical Treatments
So far, only a few studies have looked into topical nail fungus treatments with nail polishes or creams. Because these studies had weaknesses, the results should be interpreted with caution. Amorolfine has not yet been well studied. Ciclopirox polish and treatment sets with urea and bifonazole cream were tested in a few studies.
Research on the effectiveness of nail polish containing ciclopirox showed that, after one year:
- About 10 out of 100 people who did not use ciclopirox no longer had a detectable fungal nail infection.
- About 32 out of 100 people who used ciclopirox no longer had a detectable fungal nail infection.
In other words, treatment with ciclopirox got rid of the fungal infection in about 22 out of 100 people. But even if the fungus had gone away, the cosmetic result wasnt always satisfying. The nails only looked healthy after treatment in 7 out of 100 people.
Treatment with sets containing urea and bifonazole cream was tested in one study. It was compared with a treatment in which only urea cream was applied and the nail was removed, but without applying bifonazole cream afterwards. Three months after treatment was completed, it was found that:
- No fungus was visible or detectable in about 41 out of 100 people who only used urea cream.
- No fungus was visible or detectable in about 51 out of 100 people who used both urea and bifonazole cream.
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.
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