Dealing with a nail fungus infection can be notoriously challenging to cure, yet a range of treatments, including home remedies, can offer assistance.
Enjoying the warmth of sand between your toes or wearing sandals in the summer is a delight unless you’re hesitant due to thickened, yellowish nails. Nail fungal infections, also known as onychomycosis, are prevalent, affecting up to 14% of the general population, and in advanced cases, nails may become brittle, crumbly, ragged, or even separate from the nail bed.
Although achieving a complete cure for these fungal infections is challenging, the appropriate treatments can deter the issue from spreading and enhance the appearance of your nails.
Is nail fungal infections only affect toenails?
Yes, fingernails can also be susceptible to infection. However, toenails are more frequently affected due to specific habits, such as wearing shoes. Therefore, the focus of this post will be on toenails.
How Toenail fungus Cause?
Toenail fungus is often acquired through favorable conditions for fungi, yeasts, and molds to thrive in the damp and sweaty environment of the feet, explains Dr. Abigail Waldman, a dermatologist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Exposure to fungi, specifically dermatophytes, can occur when walking barefoot in places like locker rooms, spas, or near swimming pools, or during a pedicure at a nail salon. This fungal overgrowth may initially infect the skin between the toes, leading to athlete’s foot, and subsequently spread to the toenails.
What makes toenail fungus hard to treat?
Toenail fungus poses a challenge to treat due to the resilience of nail tissue, which is harder and thicker, making it difficult for antifungal creams or drugs to penetrate effectively, according to Dr. Waldman. Even oral antifungal medications struggle to reach significant levels in toenails because of their slow growth and limited metabolic activity.
What counts as a toenail fungus cure?
Achieving a complete cure is elusive, with clinical studies reporting symptom absence in 60% to 80% of cases, but residual fungal spores often remain, leading to recurrent infections in about 10% to 15% of individuals. Despite this, various treatment approaches offer a reasonable chance of improving symptoms and enhancing the appearance of toenails.
What works for treating toenail fungus?
The efficacy of treating toenail fungus involves various options, beginning with Dr. Waldman’s recommended first-line approach, utilizing affordable products that may already be available in your home.
Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus
To enhance the penetration of a fungus-fighting agent, Dr. Waldman recommends soaking your toes in a mixture of one part white or apple cider vinegar with three parts warm water for at least 10 minutes (preferably up to 40 minutes). Alternatively, Listerine, containing thymol—the main compound in the thyme—can be used as it also possesses antifungal properties. After the soak, ensure your feet are thoroughly dry, and then apply an antifungal substance to all affected nails. While crushed garlic is an option, over-the-counter drugstore products are likely more convenient for most individuals.
How to Deal with Thick, Discolored Toenails
Dealing with a nail fungus infection can be notoriously challenging to cure, yet a range of treatments, including home remedies, can offer assistance.
Enjoying the warmth of sand between your toes or wearing sandals in the summer is a delight unless you’re hesitant due to thickened, yellowish nails. Nail fungal infections, also known as onychomycosis, are prevalent, affecting up to 14% of the general population, and in advanced cases, nails may become brittle, crumbly, ragged, or even separate from the nail bed.
Although achieving a complete cure for these fungal infections is challenging, the appropriate treatments can deter the issue from spreading and enhance the appearance of your nails.
Is nail fungal infections only affect toenails?
Yes, fingernails can also be susceptible to infection. However, toenails are more frequently affected due to specific habits, such as wearing shoes. Therefore, the focus of this post will be on toenails.
How Toenail fungus Cause?
Toenail fungus is often acquired through favorable conditions for fungi, yeasts, and molds to thrive in the damp and sweaty environment of the feet, explains Dr. Abigail Waldman, a dermatologist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Exposure to fungi, specifically dermatophytes, can occur when walking barefoot in places like locker rooms, spas, or near swimming pools, or during a pedicure at a nail salon. This fungal overgrowth may initially infect the skin between the toes, leading to athlete’s foot, and subsequently spread to the toenails.
What makes toenail fungus hard to treat?
Toenail fungus poses a challenge to treat due to the resilience of nail tissue, which is harder and thicker, making it difficult for antifungal creams or drugs to penetrate effectively, according to Dr. Waldman. Even oral antifungal medications struggle to reach significant levels in toenails because of their slow growth and limited metabolic activity.
What counts as a toenail fungus cure?
Achieving a complete cure is elusive, with clinical studies reporting symptom absence in 60% to 80% of cases, but residual fungal spores often remain, leading to recurrent infections in about 10% to 15% of individuals. Despite this, various treatment approaches offer a reasonable chance of improving symptoms and enhancing the appearance of toenails.
What works for treating toenail fungus?
The efficacy of treating toenail fungus involves various options, beginning with Dr. Waldman’s recommended first-line approach, utilizing affordable products that may already be available in your home.
Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus
To enhance the penetration of a fungus-fighting agent, Dr. Waldman recommends soaking your toes in a mixture of one part white or apple cider vinegar with three parts warm water for at least 10 minutes (preferably up to 40 minutes). Alternatively, Listerine, containing thymol—the main compound in the thyme—can be used as it also possesses antifungal properties. After the soak, ensure your feet are thoroughly dry, and then apply an antifungal substance to all affected nails. While crushed garlic is an option, over-the-counter drugstore products are likely more convenient for most individuals.
For milder toenail infections, prescription topical products like amorolfine (Loceryl, others), efinaconazole (Jublia), tavaborole (Kerydin), and ciclopirox (Penlac) are recommended. These clear lacquers are applied once daily, typically for months, with clinical cure rates ranging from 35% to 60% and results often taking up to a year to manifest.
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For milder toenail infections, prescription topical products like amorolfine (Loceryl, others), efinaconazole (Jublia), tavaborole (Kerydin), and ciclopirox (Penlac) are recommended. These clear lacquers are applied once daily, typically for months, with clinical cure rates ranging from 35% to 60% and results often taking up to a year to manifest. Buy Nail Health Supplement.
Nail Infection Supplement
Metanail Complex Serum – Enriched with nutrients, this formula possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties, promoting the nourishment and overall well-being of your nails.
Kerassentials Nail Supplement
In cases of more severe infections, oral prescription drugs such as fluconazole (Diflucan), griseofulvin (Grifulvin), itraconazole (Sporanox), and terbinafine (Lamisil) may be more effective. Taken daily in pill form for three months, these drugs boast higher clinical cure rates of around 80%, but they come with more side effects, including stomach upset, diarrhea, and rare cases of liver damage.
Kerassentials, a distinctive combination of oils boasting antibacterial properties, serves as a powerful asset for nurturing skin health. It enhances skin strength, fortifies its vitality, and promotes a youthful appearance, ensuring receptiveness to skincare treatments. With a focus on both toe and surrounding skin care, Kerassentials delivers dual benefits, particularly catering to those who prioritize appearance and fragrance.
Laser Treatment Therapy
Another treatment option is laser therapy, where lasers penetrate and break down nail tissue to eliminate the fungus. While clinical cure rates vary, some reports suggest success rates ranging between 60% and 75%.
Guidance on toenail clippers, nail polish, new footwear, and more:
Dr. Waldman recommends using separate sets of toenail clippers during and after treatment, emphasizing the importance of avoiding fungal spread. Post-treatment, investing in new shoes is advised to prevent reinfection, and a diluted vinegar soak once or twice a week can help thwart any lingering fungus from reflecting the nails, according to Dr. Waldman.