Toenail Fungus Treatments That Work

How To Get Rid Of Yellow Nails

Treatment of yellow nails will depend on the cause. Most likely, your nails have become discolored because of an infection you have or a product you used. These home remedies are based on those causes of discoloration. However, it is important to be aware that home remedies are not always effective. See your physician if home remedies arent helpful in eliminating discoloration. If you dont already have a doctor, our Healthline FindCare tool can help you connect to physicians in your area.

What Causes Tinea Unguium

A type of mold called a dermatophyte causes tinea unguium. Dermatophytes are fungal microorganisms . They feed off of keratin, a protein found in your fingernails and toenails. Keratin makes nails hard.

Dermatophytes are the cause behind 90% of toenail fungal infections. But other types of fungi can infect your toenails as well.

Same Active Ingredient Better Amount

Theres another product that has the same active ingredient at a 25% proportion, and it causes extreme amount of skin damage when used every day. This product has 10% which seems to allow me to keep applying again and again without any irritation. Great formula. Great results.

Started applying Emoni nail twice a day as instructed. I also filed down my infected nails as they instructed. After a couple weeks the redness around my nails has disappeared but the nails were unchanged. I contacted emoni nial support and they said to keep at it. They were very responsive. After about a month of applying the stuff I noticed my nails started to turn white-ish. Almost as if they were being stained by the treatment. It took another few weeks before I saw, to my delight, some normal nail growing in at the base of my big toenail. I contacted support again and they told me to keep applying until I was certain that the nail was now growing in clear and toenail fungus free. I kept applying for another week or so and sure enough the new nail growing in was PERFECT. Just like my pre-nail fungus days. I stopped the treatment and just kept cutting off the old infected nail as it grew out and eventually it was totally gone. I am now nail fungus free and wanted to help others out there by sharing my story.

Response: Disclaimer: Individual results may vary.

Response: Disclaimer: Individual results may vary.

Response: Disclaimer: Individual results may vary.

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What Happens If I Leave The Fungus Untreated

Unfortunately, untreated fungus will not go away on its own. It can even spread to other nails, or even to your hair, since your hair and nails are both made up of keratin. Untreated nails will become brittle and crack, and eventually they will need to be removed. addressing the problem early is the better solution.

The Candela GentleMax Pro® treatment is safe, convenient, and will not cause any discomfort or pain. It destroys the fungus but leaves your nearby tissues intact. Youll also avoid the side effects of oral medication, which can include liver issues and other problems.

Treating Fungal Nail Infection

Treatment may not be necessary in mild cases of fungal nail infection. For more severe or troublesome cases, antifungal medication may be recommended.

A fungal nail infection is unlikely to get better without treatment, but if you’re not bothered by it you might decide it’s not worth treating because treatment can take a long time, may cause side effects, and isn’t always effective.

Whether or not you decide to have treatment, you should still follow the self-help advice below to help stop the condition getting worse or spreading to others.

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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.

Corn And Callus Treatments

Some antifungal nail treatments can also help to prevent athlete’s foot. Here at Walgreens.com, you can find other athlete’s foot treatments as well. Another way you can help your feet look and feel their best is by using callus and corn removal products. You can use a foot file to gently remove callused skin, and regularly use buffing pads and exfoliators to remove tough skin. Foot creams and foot lotions can help keep your feet soft and comfortable.

*The total item count is approximate. The count will be inaccurate when sponsored products are displayed, when multiple sizes or colors of a product are grouped on a single product card, and when the in-stock filter is applied.

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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.

Step : Cleaning And Preparing Your Nails

Gather your tools. Calm your mind. Breathe. Clean your treatment space and make sure you wash your tools between each nail.

Part 1.1: Remove Excess Nail

• Cut nails: Cut the infected nails as low as possible without causing any pain.
• File nails:Using a nail file, lightly file the top, sides, and front of your nails.
• How this helps: Nail fungus lives and grows within the nail bed, directly under your nail. Your nails are actually protecting the fungus, so its important to remove as much of this barrier as possible before treatment.

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How Do I Know If I Have A Fungal Nail Infection

Because other infections can affect the nail and mimic symptoms of a fungal nail infection, the only way to confirm a diagnosis is to see a doctor. Theyll take a scraping of the nail and look under a microscope for signs of fungus.

In some cases, your doctor may send the sample to a lab for analysis and identification.

Over-the-counter products arent usually recommended to treat nail infections since they dont provide reliable results. Instead, your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication, such as:

What Is Tinea Unguium

When a dermatophyte causes toenail fungus, the condition is called tinea unguium. A dermatophyte is a mold that needs a protein called keratin to grow. Keratin is the main structural material of your nails that makes them hard. Dermatophytes cause 90% of toenail fungal infections. Tinea unguium is also known as onychomycosis.

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Topical Nail Polish And Creams

Some cases of toenail fungus can be treated with prescription antifungal nail polish. The treatment involves painting the infected nails and surrounding skin once daily and removing the layers of caked-on polish weekly. This type of treatment usually requires a year of use to achieve results.

Furthermore, some cases of toenail fungus can be treated with prescription antifungal creams, which are rubbed into the infected nail. If your nails are thick due to the effects of toenail fungus, your nails may require debridement, a treatment in which your nails are thinned with a file. This allows the cream to soak through the nail to reach the underlying fungus.

Top Recovery Story Of 2015

Name:Lisa S.How long have you had nail fungus?:1+ YearsHave you successfully treated your nail fungus?:YesWhat color is your nail fungus?:YellowWhat treatments have you tried?:Oral, TopicalWhat treatment did you find most effective?:Emoninail Tell Us Your Nail Fungus Story:

2013 – 2014 Nail Fungus Treatment Survey Results

How long have you had nail fungus?:Have you successfully treated your nail fungus?:What color is your nail fungus?:What treatments have you tried?:What treatment did you find most effective?:Tell Us Your Nail Fungus Story:

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What Is The Outcome For Someone Who Has Nail Fungus

With treatment, many people can get rid of nail fungus. Even when the fungus clears, your nail may look unhealthy until the infected nail grows out. A fingernail grows out in 4 to 6 months and a toenail in 12 to 18 months.

To clear the fungus, its important to:

• Use the treatment exactly as prescribed

• Apply the medicine for as long as prescribed

• Keep all follow-up appointments with your dermatologist

Nail fungus can be stubborn. If you had a severe infection, its possible to clear the infection. A healthy looking nail, however, may be unrealistic, but you can expect the nail to look better and feel more comfortable.

Even with clearing, nail fungus can return. Youll find steps to reduce your risk in Tips: 12 ways to prevent another nail infection.

ImageGetty Images

ReferenceGold LFS and Rosen T. Onychomycosis: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. Dermatology News . March 2016:2-15.

When To See A Doctor About Toenail Fungus

If you are experiencing persistent toenail fungus or pain is present, you may need to see a specialist. A dermatologist or podiatrist may be able to assess your symptoms and send a small sample of the affected toenail or flesh to a laboratory to be analyzed as there are various types of fungi and yeasts that cause onychomycosis. Knowing the specific cause of your foot fungus can help identify what route to take to treat your condition.

Nail changes can also be caused by underlying conditions, like psoriasis and diabetes, so its important to seek professional medical advice if your condition persists or worsens. Bacterial and fungal infection of skin in diabetes patients often result in hospital admissions, and in severe cases, can result in amputations. If you are at a higher risk for infection, you should skip home remedies and seek professional medical treatment.

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Nail Fungus Treatments What Everybody Ought To Know

Nail fungus, otherwise known as Onychomycosis, has been recognized as being a very difficult type of fungal infection to treat. It is a cosmetic condition that most often affects the toenails. Risk factors for nail fungus include increased age, male gender, diabetes, nail trauma, hyperhydrosis, peripheral vascular disease, athletes foot, immunodeficiency, poor hygiene, and chronic exposure of the nails to water. There are many species of fungus that can infect the nail. Often in nail infections several types of fungus will be present at the same time. All nail fungus infections result in thickened, discolored, and distorted nails.

In the past, treatment options were limited and often not very effective. Now there are several treatment options available to cure nail fungus. It is important to see your health care provider to ensure that it is truly a fungal infection you are dealing with before any treatment starts. There are other disorders that can cause similar looking nail problems. Your doctor can verify if it is indeed a fungal infection by examining nail scrapings and clippings under a microscope and submitting these samples to a lab to be cultured.

Toenail Fungus Treatment Complications

Here are some things to think about when deciding on a nail fungus treatment.

If you have a disease like diabetes, your doctor will make sure you treat nail fungus. This illness often makes you more likely to have other problems from minor foot issues.

You may not be able to take antifungal pills because of side effects or because they donât work well with other drugs you take. If that’s the case, try a product that goes onto your nail. Your doctor will call this a topical treatment.

Be patient. Your nails may not look “normal” after treatment. It can take as long as a year to 18 months for your nail to grow out a fungus.

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Excilor Nail Fungus Treatment: The Best All

Price: £15 | Buy now from Lloyds Pharmacy

Excilor’s Nail Fungus Treatment solution is the most highly-praised anti-fungal nail treatment among verified online buyers, who hail it as the one that works when others fail. It’s very easy to use, too: brush it onto your infected nail twice a day, then forget about it. It dries very fast and penetrates into the nail without the need for filing, so it’s a quick and mess-free process that soon becomes automatic, like cleaning your teeth.

Don’t expect overnight results, or even over-fortnight results . It will support healthy regrowth of the nail, so you’ll see results when the nail starts to grow back. Meanwhile, Excilor keeps working on the micro-environment of your nail, making it hostile to fungal growth and preventing further infections.

Key specs Size: 3.3ml Format: Liquid Active ingredients: Amorolfine, ciclopirox

Price: £29 |

Unlike our other recommended treatments, which stop the infection and let your nail grow out, Canespro lets you take a sledgehammer to the infected nail. Well, a scraper.

It is a bit of a faff, but very powerful. First, you have to clean and soften the affected foot in warm water, dry it, apply the ointment and cover it all with a plaster. You do this once a day. After the first 24 hours, you can start scraping at the infected nail tissue, which will start to come away. After a couple of weeks of this fun, you’ll have removed the entire infected nail. Plasters and a scraper are included in the box.

Use Vicks Vaporub To Treat Toenail Fungus Infection

To treat toenail fungus with the help of Vicks VapoRub, first of all, wash the foot thoroughly and cut and trim the nail. When the foot dries completely, cover the toenail with Vicks vapoRub. Once done, cover it with a bandage or gauze. Wear socks after doing so. Repeat the process daily to see effective results. Depending upon the fungal infection, it will take ten to six weeks to recover.

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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.

How Should This Medicine Be Used

Ciclopirox comes as a solution to apply to nails and the skin immediately surrounding and under the nails. It is usually applied once a day. To help you remember to use ciclopirox, apply it around the same time every day, usually at bedtime. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use ciclopirox exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Ciclopirox is used to improve the condition of nails, but may not completely cure nail fungus. It may take 6 months or longer before you notice that your nails are getting better. Continue to use ciclopirox daily as directed. Do not stop using ciclopirox without talking to your doctor.

Ciclopirox topical solution will work best if you trim your nails regularly during your treatment. You should remove all loose nail or nail material using a nail clipper or nail file before you begin treatment and every week during your treatment. Your doctor will show you how to do this. Your doctor will also trim your nails once each month during your treatment.

Do not use nail polish or other nail cosmetic products on nails treated with ciclopirox topical solution.

Do not take a bath, shower, or swim for at least 8 hours after applying ciclopirox topical solution.

Ciclopirox topical solution may catch fire. Do not use this medication near heat or an open flame, such as a cigarette.

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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.