Complications. A severe case of nail fungus can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails. And it may lead to other serious infections that spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.
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.
While rare, severe cases of toenail fungus can potentially lead to systemic infection, especially in individuals with compromised immune systems. In such cases, the fungus may enter the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body, including vital organs.
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.
Toe nail fungus can be a particularly serious situation if you are diabetic, have trouble walking, experience bleeding or painful swelling around the nail. If left to develop further, the fungal infection can discolor the nail and cause it to thicken and crumble at the edges.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hydrogen peroxide is widely known for its antiseptic properties, which help to kill bacteria and fungi. As a powerful oxidizing agent, it releases oxygen when it comes into contact with affected skin or nails, effectively killing the fungus that infects nails.
A severe case of nail fungus can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails. And it may lead to other serious infections that spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.
If you just finished treating nail fungus, throw away shoes, boots, skates, and other footwear that you wore before you started treatment. Put on a clean pair of socks every day and whenever your socks get sweaty.
Walk barefoot in a hot, humid place like a pool, public shower, or locker room. Wear tight-fitting, closed-toe shoes, especially if you have sweaty feet.
Ketoconazole will kill the fungus and prevent it from growing back. Alternatively, common shampoos, like Head and Shoulders, contain selenium sulfide, another antifungal agent. Do a bit of shopping and find an over-the-counter shampoo that works for you.
Terbinafine. The best pill for toenail fungus is terbinafine (Lamisil). Evidence suggests it works better than the alternatives and has the fewest side effects.
A prescription medication like terbinafine will work faster than a home remedy, but you'll still need to take it for about 12 weeks. How can I treat toenail fungus myself? You can try OTC antifungal creams, gels, and nail polishes or home remedies like Vicks VapoRub or tea tree oil.
Fungal infections tend to worsen over time, and your nails can become badly discolored and may grow abnormally thick. Nails suffering from fungal infections are often fragile and can develop serious and lasting cracks. The affected nail could also start to separate from the underlying nail bed.
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.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has antibacterial qualities that may be able to stop a toenail fungal infection from worsening. Apply the oil to a cotton ball or paper towel, and apply some to your nails two times a day. You may find after several weeks of daily application that the appearance of your toenails improves.
Vicks VapoRub
However, it may also be effective against toenail fungus. One small study showed that after applying it topically each day for 48 weeks, 27.8% of participants fully cured their nail fungus — and 55.6% of participants saw partial improvement. However, more study is needed.