Your health care provider might suggest temporary removal of the nail so that the antifungal drug can be applied directly to the infection under the nail. The most effective but least used option is surgery to permanently remove the nail and its root.
This is usually only considered as a last resort. If the toenail is removed, it must be followed up with antifungal therapy or the fungus will come back as the nail regrows.
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.
Athlete's foot.
Fungi can easily jump from the nails to the skin and back again, re-infecting the same (or new) nails.
Terbinafine. The best pill for toenail fungus is terbinafine (Lamisil). Evidence suggests it works better than the alternatives and has the fewest side effects.
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. If you stop taking the medication too early, the infection may return.
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.
Over time, your nail might thicken and even start to lift from your toe. Nail fungus doesn't go away by itself. And if you don't treat it, there's a chance it could get worse and cause pain when you walk. It could also spread to other nails or through your body.
In rare cases, toenail fungus can cause an infection called cellulitis. Without prompt treatment, cellulitis may pose a serious danger to your health. You should seek treatment guidance from a trusted healthcare provider if you have: Circulation problems.
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.
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.
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.
It may be hard to imagine anything remedying the situation. Outright removing your toenails, however, is the absolute last resort option for treating toenail fungus, and only performed in very rare cases.
Treatments available
Simply filing down the thickness of the nail can help with these issues. It is easiest to file them when the nails are dry. You should use a separate disposable emery board on the infected nail(s) to avoid spreading the infection to healthy ones.
The treatment, which lasts several months, is up to 80% effective. It can take from six to 18 months for complete results. And if you stop the medication too soon, the infection can rebound. More recently, the use of lasers to treat toenail fungus has grown in popularity.
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.
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.
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.
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.