Dr. Ioli, who is chief of the podiatry service at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital, suggested that daily applications of Vicks VapoRub might be at least as effective as most of the topical treatments for toenail fungus that are available by prescription or over the counter.
If you want to try this remedy, apply a bit of Vicks Vaporub to your affected toenails daily. It can still take several weeks to a couple of months for results to appear.
Terbinafine and itraconazole are the 2 medicines most commonly prescribed for fungal nail infections. These usually need to be taken once or twice a day for several months to ensure the infection has completely cleared up.
Topical treatment with Vicks VapoRub: The combination of camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol, the three main ingredients in Vicks VapoRub, is believed to stop the growth of certain fungi. Follow the same application process as for tea tree oil. Numerous readers swear by this.
Q: What was the recommendation for toenail fungus — Vaseline or Vicks VapoRub? A: Vicks VapoRub.
Don't go barefoot in public places. Use a spray or powder that fights fungus on your feet and in your shoes. Don't pick at the skin around your nails. Don't use nail polish or fake nails on your nails.
The best type of vinegar to treat toenail fungus is apple cider vinegar, a very acidic and strong solution that destroys toenail fungus at the source. To take full advantage of this, mix one cup of apple cider vinegar with at least 2 cups of water – this will dilute the vinegar so that it won't burn your skin.
Older age. Wearing shoes that make your feet sweat heavily. Having had athlete's foot in the past. Walking barefoot in damp public areas, such as swimming pools, gyms and shower rooms.
Studies show that taking antifungal pills and applying medicine to your nails can be more effective than using either treatment alone. Nail removal: If you have a severe infection or other treatments just don't work, your dermatologist may recommend removing the nail(s) to get rid of the infection.
Keep your feet and toes covered
Protect your partner from being exposed to fungus by covering your feet at night. If you wear socks to bed, there's no chance your bare feet will make contact with theirs.
If you let a nail fungus infection go for too long, several problems emerge. The infected nail can become misshapen and increasingly separated from your nail bed. Itching and pain are unpleasant side effects; if they're too severe, you can have trouble wearing shoes or walking.
Here are what strength of Hydrogen Peroxide for toenail fungus is recommended: A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution is safe for nail application and effective against fungus. Avoid higher concentrations, as they may cause burns or skin irritation.
Prescription toenail fungus treatments
These include creams, sprays, and gels like ciclopirox (Penlac), efinaconazole (Jublia), and tavaborole (Kerydin). These are best for surface fungus, as the products don't penetrate your nail bed. It may take a year of daily use before you see the fungus go away.
If your nail gets brittle and breaks easily, it's a sign the fungal infection is changing the composition of the nail. If it becomes soft and chalky and starts to crumble away, the infection is starting to become severe.
Advocates of this remedy suggest that applying Vicks to the feet allows the active ingredients to be absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly than if applied to other areas. Additionally, the warmth created by wearing socks may enhance the absorption process.
A: Although it is more common for fungal nail infections to affect your toenails, nail fungus can spread to your fingernails as well. Avoid touching and picking at toes and feet and ensure you complete the whole course of toenail fungus treatment recommended by your foot doctor.
Not washing your feet every day, going barefoot in public places, not drying your feet completely after showering, and sharing pedicure tools, are common causes of toenail fungus. Tip: Practice good foot hygiene by washing your feet with soap and water at the end of each day.
Can I wear nail polish if I have toenail fungus? You may feel tempted to cover up a discolored toenail with nail polish. But if you're using a topical antifungal, you probably shouldn't use polish. Your healthcare provider may tell you not to wear it in any case.
If your fungus doesn't clear up at home, you should check in with a dermatologist (a skin, hair, and nail specialist) or podiatrist (a foot doctor.) They may gently scrape under your nail to get rid of some of the fungus or send it to the lab for diagnosis. They can also prescribe stronger medicines. Topical medicines.
Baking soda: Researchers found that baking soda prevented fungal growth in 79 percent of the specimens tested. Apply a paste of baking soda and water directly to the affected nail and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.