Treatment for toenails fungus
Treatment for toenails fungus is not a simple process. Unfortunately, toenails fungus is a stubborn condition, and as of today, western medicine doesn’t have the proper answer.
While toenail fungus is notoriously difficult to cure, you may need to perform the toenail fungus treatment for more than a few months to get rid of the toenail fungus. However, even after a successful cure, toenail fungus often returns.
A dermatologist (skin specialist) or podiatrist can explain your treatment options. If you have a mild illness that does not bother you, your doctor may recommend not treating it. In this article, Dr. Tsan will share his experience on how to get rid of toenail fungus.
Treatment for toenails fungus typically begins with your podiatrist clipping the infected toenails, cutting off each infected toenail where it attaches to the skin of a finger or foot. Your podiatrist can also scrape off the debris under the nail. This helps get rid of some fungi.
To get rid of the infection completely, most people also need one or more of the following treatments:
Topical treatment for toenail fungus
A medicine applied to the nails can clear the infection if you have a mild infection. This treatment helps keep new fungi out as the nails grow. Nails typically grow in four to six months. Toenails usually grow in a year or so.
The most challenging part of this treatment is remembering to use it as often as prescribed. Some treatments need to be applied every day. Others apply once a week. For best results, applying these medicines exactly as directed is essential.
Best over-the-counter treatment for toenail fungus
OTC remedies for toenail fungus include creams, ointments, sprays, and liquids. Ask your pharmacist for advice or find these ingredients and follow the directions carefully:
Toenail fungus medications
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the following toenail fungus medications you apply to your nails to treat nail fungus:
- Amorolfine
- Ciclopirox
- Efinaconazole
- Tavaborole
The side effects of the use of these medicines are typically mild. When applying for the medicine, possible side effects include redness and swelling, ingrown toenails, and a burning sensation. In clinical studies, none of these side effects caused patients to stop using the treatment.
Your podiatrist or dermatologist may prescribe antifungal pills if you need more aggressive toenails fungus treatment. They have a higher cure rate than the topical medications you put on your nails.
Antifungal pills also work faster than medications applied to your nails. Antifungal pills can clear up the infection under your nails for two months. Typically, a fungal toenail infection will heal within three months of treatment.
However, antifungal pills can cause side effects. Your dermatologist will monitor you closely. You will also need a monthly blood test to check for problems.
The FDA has approved the following systemic (whole-body) medications for the treatment of nail fungus:
- Fluconazole
- Griseofulvin
- Itraconazole
- Terbinafine
Combination Treatment for toenails fungus
Sometimes, nail fungus is difficult to get rid of. Studies show that taking antifungal pills and applying medicines to the nails may be more effective than using both treatments alone.
Nail Removal for Treatment of toenails fungus
If you have a severe infection or other toenails fungus treatment methods don’t work, your podiatrist may suggest infected toenail removal to clear the contamination. Your podiatrist will use one of the following techniques to remove the nail:
- Nonsurgical nail removal (chemical is applied to the nail)
- Surgical nail removal
Your dermatologist can perform both types of nail removal in a doctor’s office or clinic. With either method, the toenail will grow back. However, if the fungus is not cured, the podiatrist can apply the treatment to the nail to prevent it from growing back.
Laser toenail fungus removal
You’ve tried almost every over-the-counter product available, but none seem to cure your nail fungus. When home treatments don’t work, it can be frustrating and embarrassing (point to the Inside Out disgust!) – but it doesn’t have to last long. Laser fungus removal is a modern and safe treatment option to eliminate and prevent future fungal problems. Here, we will explore laser foot treatment as it relates to nail fungus treatment and prevention, as well as its effectiveness and next steps.
If you think you are suffering from nail fungus, we recommend you consult your doctor or podiatrist for a professional diagnosis.
Before scheduling an appointment for laser toenail fungus removal, your first question may be, “Is laser treatment for nail fungus effective?” Clinical studies show support for the effectiveness of this treatment, and laser treatments for toenails are approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. Looking at the data/facts from the clinical trials, laser treatment for nail fungus is effective.
- A 2016 FDA study found that patients who received laser treatment on their feet exhibited pale nails three and six months after treatment.
- A 2019 study published in the journal American Family Physician by the American Association of Family Physicians found that after 180 days of laser treatment for toenail fungus, patients had a 30% complete recovery rate and a 91% of significant improvement in their symptoms. The AAFP study also found that laser treatment is more effective at removing fungi than over-the-counter and prescription oral and topical antifungal medications.
- In 2018, Lasers in Medical Science published clinical study results about laser toenail fungus removal. These scientists stated a success rate of 83.7% amongst the patient with toenail fungus that involved at least two-thirds of the toenail.
Lasers used for toenails fungus treatment attack organisms under the nails without damaging the skin and tissue. Unlike topical therapies, light can penetrate the nail to reach the fungus.
Before the procedure, our technicians can file your nails to prepare the area for the laser. You should remove nail polish or decals before your appointment. Treatment is almost always painless, although you may experience heat or tingling in the nail bed during treatment.
The most successful toenail fungus treatment will depend on the patient’s symptoms and condition. Your provider will consider several factors before recommending a personalized treatment plan.
Overall, oral antifungal drugs may offer the most significant treatment potential. Combining oral medications with topical antifungal medications can make treatment more effective.
What is the outcome for someone who has onychomycosis?
With the proper treatment for toenail fungus, many people are getting rid of nail fungus. Even after the fungus is gone, the nail(s) may look unhealthy until the infected nail grows out. The nail grows in 4 to 6 months, and the toenail grows in 12 to 18 months.
For success in the treatment of toenail fungus, it is essential to:
- Use the treatment strictly as recommended
- Use (or take) the drug for as long as it is prescribed
- Keep all check-ups with a dermatologist
Nail fungus can be stubborn. If you’ve had a severe infection, you can remove it. Nevertheless, a healthy-looking nail due to traditional toenails fungus treatment may be unrealistic, and you can expect them to look somewhat better and feel more comfortable.
Even after cleaning, nail fungus may come back.
What is toenail fungus?
Toenail fungus is a well-known fungal contamination that affects the toenails. Less commonly, nail fungus infects the nails. Nail fungus is also called onychomycosis.
Toenail fungus occurs when fungus sneaks between the nail and the nail bed (the tissue just under the nail). This typically happens through a break or a cut of the skin-toe.
Toenail fungus is a prevalent medical condition, particularly in elderly people. Medical professionals assess that onychomycosis (the most common fungus that affects toenails) involves 1 in 10 people overall. That figure jumps to 1 in 2 (50%) for individuals over 70.
Many types of toenail fungus are pretty contagious. An infected person can transmit the fungus to another person through direct contact. You can also get nail fungus from touching an infected surface.
That’s why the treatment for toenail fungus is essential.
Nail fungus likes damp, muggy, warm, dark places. Lots of people get toenail fungus while
- Walking around the perimeter of the pools.
- Using a public dressing room, shower stalls, or bathtubs.
- Walking barefoot in a public area.
Onychomycosis does not usually spread beyond the toe.
Some dermatophyte fungi spread quickly on the skin. (Your skin and scalp also contain keratin.) When dermatophyte fungi affect the skin, it is called ringworm.
Nail fungus can spread to:
- Other nails.
- The skin between the toes (known as the athlete’s foot).
- The groin area (called groin pruritus).
- The scalp (the skin on top of the head).
Anyone can catch onychomycosis. It often affects the elderly, especially those over 60. Toenail fungus can look unsightly but is usually not painful. If your feet sweat or stay damp or damp, the chance for the fungus to grow on your toenails increases. Frequent exposure to warm, humid environments such as swimming pools, locker rooms, or even humid climates increases the risk of developing these types of infections. This is also why these infections are more common in the summer months.
It is known that men are more likely to develop these types of infections than women, as well as those with weakened immune systems – people with diabetes, circulatory disorders, and older adults. People who frequent nail salons can also put themselves at risk of developing and spreading fungal infections on their feet. Indications of a toenail infection are changes in the color of the nail, which can be white, yellow, brown, or even black. The nail can thicken, making it difficult for you to maintain the nail yourself. There may be a foul odor, brittleness, or even complete nail separation from the nail bed.
You may be at greater risk of developing onychomycosis if you have:
- Athlete’s foot.
- Diabetes
- Hyperhidrosis (a disorder that makes you sweat a lot).
- Nail trauma.
- Insufficient blood circulation in feet due to peripheral vascular disorders.
- Psoriasis
- A weakened immune system, such as an autoimmune disease or HIV.
Toenail fungus can change the appearance of toenails differently and make people uncomfortable. In many cases, this condition causes no pain or itch but affected people are looking for a treatment for toenail fungus just due to a bad look. Your toenail can:
- Change the color to white, yellow, or brown.
- In some places, they look chalky or cloudy.
- They thicken and possibly look misshapen.
- Split up from the nail bed (creating a space between the toenail and the skin below).
- Crack or crack in one or more places.
Your doctor will likely take a small sample under your nail for further analysis. Viewing the cells under a microscope can confirm the diagnosis of toenail fungus. If the initial test is negative, scraping may be sent to check if the fungus is growing in the culture. It will also help to determine the type of toenail fungus.
What causes toenail fungus?
More than one type of fungus can affect your toenails. To choose the proper treatment for Toenail Fungus, it is essential to understand the natural causes of toenail fungus in each patient—dermatophytes (a type of mold) cause most fungal nail infections.
Dermatophytes are fungal microorganisms (too small to be seen with the naked eye). They feed on keratin, a protein found in your fingernails and toenails. Keratin makes nails hard.
The main causes of toenail fungus are microscopic organisms that lead to fungal overgrowth. This can occur in, under, or on the toenail. More often than other parts of the human body, toenails develop fungus because they are typically located inside the shoes, where the warm, dark, and damp environment allows the fungus to bloom. The same fungus can also cause itching, athlete’s foot, and ringworm.
Symptoms of toenail fungus
It is vital to get professional help when diagnosing or diagnosing foot problems, but in general, fungal toenail infections are often characterized by the following symptoms:
- Discolored, brittle nails
- Nails become tender and painful
- Bad smell
- White markings and yellow streaks all over the nail
- Nails may become very hard or very weak
- Debris accumulates under the nail
- Chalk surface of nails
How to prevent toenail fungus
The best treatment for toenails fungus is prophylactic and prevention. Follow these guidelines to help keep your nails healthy:
- Wash your feet with washing powder, then wipe and dry them thoroughly after swimming.
- Wear shower shoes in locker rooms and public areas.
- Wear well-fitting shoes made of breathable materials.
- Get rid of wet socks or shoes immediately after they get soaked, then wipe and dry your feet.
- Disinfect nail clippers and home pedicure tools.
- If you do pedicures, ensure your salon follows the proper disinfection procedures and wash and dry your feet when you get home.
- Avoid applying varnish to infected nails.
- If you have an athlete’s foot, treat the infection.
Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus
Prescription oral antifungal drugs such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or fluconazole (Diflucan) have traditionally been used to treat toenail fungus. These treatments are often effective but can cause serious side effects, ranging from upset stomach and dizziness to severe skin problems and jaundice.
That’s why countless people prefer to use home remedies for toenail fungus.
Toenail fungus requires diligent diverse therapy to be effective. Early-stage nail fungus may respond to at-home treatments such as those listed below. Apply the treatment to the affected nail several times daily; you may need to treat it for six months or more to clear the infection.
Tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil: These two oils manifest antifungal effects, and the latest studies have discovered that this combination performed effective topical antifungal cures.
Ozonized Sunflower Oil:
A Brazilian clinical study learned that sunflower oil produced Treatment for toenails fungus infection caused by yeast.
Baking soda:
The researchers found that baking soda prevented mold growth in 79 percent of the samples tested. Put on a baking soda paste straight to the disturbed nail and let it lie for a minimum of 10 minutes before rinsing.
Vicks VapoRub:
A tiny study found that this minty ointment positively affected nail fungus. Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are similarly widespread Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus, but these two agents have not been tested enough to be recommended as practical based on clinical studies.
Homeopathic treatment for toenail fungus
Homeopathy for toenails fungus is a practical treatment approach. Homeopathic remedies are ideal for completely curing infected toenails while fighting the root cause. Being non-invasive and non-poisonous, this natural treatment for toenail fungus offers excellent results in fungal toenail infections. Furthermore, homeopathic treatment for toenail fungus is very safe and can be used for an extended time without any side effects.
Best homeopathic remedies for the treatment of toenail fungus.
ANTIMONIUM CRUDUM – Homeopathic Remedy For Fungi Causing Toenails And Deformed Toenails
I would say that homeopathic treatment for toenails fungus promises a safe and effective solution without side effects. The homeopathic medicine Antimonium Crudum is one of the best remedies for nail infections associated with thick horny calluses of the skin. Work well in patients with horny warts on the hands and soles of the feet. Antimonium Crudum provides relief to patients with dry, itchy skin. The toenails that can be treated with Antimonium Crudum are brittle and break apart easily. The original shape of the nails is deformed, and the nails become deformed. The patient seems to get unusually irritated at the slightest thing. The fingernails are split and grow at a prolonged rate.
SILICEA – homeopathic remedy for nail fungus with pus, infections, and acute pain in the toenails
Silicea is an excellent homeopathic remedy for the treatment of toenails fungus. I find it best recommended for patients with icy feet and palms. Their nails are infected and disfigured. The patient has foul-smelling sweat from the legs, arms, and armpits. It has also been associated with acute pain in the nails of the fingers and toes. The pain is unbearable; the patient seems very restless and irritable. Silicea can be prescribed to patients whose toenails grow inside and are enveloped by flesh and pus.
GRAPHITES – Homeopathic remedy when the nails crack
In my practice, I have learned that homeopathic Graphites are suitable for toenail ailments distinguished by internal toenail growth. The toenails tend to ulcerate, and the nearby tissues are swollen. Homeopathic Graphites can be advised when pain is deep, and a patient cannot tolerate touch. The affected parts are painful. Graphites can be given in case of thickened nails. In some cases, the nails may deform, which breaks easily. The homeopathic remedy Graphites can be administered to treat toenails fungus infection in people with cracked tips of toes.
BUFO RANA – homeopathic remedy for an infection that makes nails blue
Homeopathic Bufo Rana is a highly effective remedy to cure fungal infections of toenails that appear bluish or blackish. Bufo Rana can be recommended to patients with swollen skin around the nails. Toenail disorders are associated with a deep, nagging pain that ascends to the armpits.
FLUORIC ACID – A homeopathic remedy for rapidly growing and damaged nails
Homeopathic Fluoric acid provides positive results in cases where the nails proliferate and are crippled. People have fingernails with longitudinal stripes. Nail changes can be related to pain between the toes. A homeopathic remedy, Flouring acid, may also be prescribed for nail infections with corns that are painful to touch.
Natural Treatment for toenails fungus in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Holistic Clinic is the most advanced naturopathic facility in Brotherly Love. Under one roof, different specialists are ready to provide any available natural treatment for toenails fungus.
Our best weapons to fight toenails fungus are:
- Homeopathy
- Acupuncture
- Ayurvedic and Chinese herbs
and in each of these areas of medicine, our practitioners are the best.
When you schedule your appointment for a comprehensive holistic evaluation, you will meet Dr. Tsan, who will examine you and explain the best treatment approach for your case.
Contact Philadelphia Holistic Clinic at (267) 284-3085 or scan the QR code below to use our online scheduling system.
