Effective Relief: Do Over-The-Counter Fungus Treatments Work?

There is no single best over-the-counter (OTC) treatment for nail fungus. OTC products are available to treat fungus on the skin around the nail bed, but are not very effective at treating the hard nail bed. Prescription medicines, which you either take by mouth or apply to the nail, are more effective for nail fungus. Oral antifungal medicines tend to work better than topical ones, but are associated with greater side effects and drug interactions.

Over-the-counter treatments for nail fungus

There is no single best over-the-counter (OTC) treatment for nail fungus. Fungal nail infections occur most frequently in the toe nails, but can occur on the fingernails too. Effective antifungal products like creams or sprays for athlete's foot can be found over-the-counter. However, OTC products are available to treat fungus on the skin around the nail bed, but are not very effective at treating the hard nail bed. Prescription medicines, which you either take by mouth or apply to the nail, are more effective for nail fungus.

Mild fungal infections in your fingernail may not require medical treatment. However, if a doctor does recommend treatment, consider discussing the following frequently asked questions with them. Nail scraping is thought to work by gradually removing parts of the affected nail every day over the course of 2 to 3 weeks. This involves using an over-the-counter (OTC) kit with urea paste to help soften the nail, as well as a scraping device. Urea (Kerasol) can help to soften and improve the appearance of brittle, yellow nails, but it does not treat the nail fungus.

Once you’ve treated fingernail fungus, it’s important to take steps to help prevent the infection from returning or spreading to other nails. You can reduce your risk by:

• Treating any athlete's foot (tinea pedis) you may have as these can worsen or lead to fungal nail infections.
• Using antifungal products.
• Nail scraping.
• Consulting a doctor for medical treatments, such as prescription antifungals.

Prescription medicines for nail fungus

Fungus growing under your nails can appear as a white, yellow, brown or black color with a crumbly texture. Fungal nail infections occur most frequently in the toenails, but can occur on the fingernails, too. Over-the-counter (OTC) nail fungus medicines include urea (Kerasol) which can help to soften and improve the appearance of brittle, yellow nails, but it does not treat the nail fungus. There isn’t a single best OTC treatment for nail fungus. To truly get rid of the underlying infection, you will need to consult a doctor for medical treatments, such as prescription antifungals. Prescription medicines, which you either take by mouth or apply to the nail, are more effective for nail fungus. Oral antifungal medicines tend to work better than topical ones, but are associated with greater side effects and drug interactions. Effective antifungal products like creams or sprays for athlete's foot can be found over-the-counter. Treatment for nail fungus can take months, but not all people need to be treated. While the nail fungus may not fully clear up, in many people it may not cause any long-term effects, either.

Home remedies for nail fungus

There is no single best over-the-counter (OTC) treatment for nail fungus. While effective antifungal products like creams or sprays for athlete's foot can be found over-the-counter, OTC products are not very effective at treating the hard nail bed. Prescription medicines, which you either take by mouth or apply to the nail, are more effective for nail fungus. Oral antifungal medicines tend to work better than topical ones, but are associated with greater side effects and drug interactions.

Home remedies are not considered 100% effective in clearing up a fingernail infection, but nail scraping is thought to work by gradually removing parts of the affected nail every day over the course of 2 to 3 weeks. This involves using an over-the-counter (OTC) kit with urea paste to help soften the nail, as well as a scraping device. Urea (Kerasol) can help to soften and improve the appearance of brittle, yellow nails, but it does not treat the nail fungus.

Once you’ve treated fingernail fungus, it’s important to take steps to help prevent the infection from returning or spreading to other nails. You can reduce your risk by:

• Treating any athlete's foot (tinea pedis) you may have as well, as these can worsen or lead to fungal nail infections.
• Maintaining good foot hygiene.
• Keeping your feet and nails clean and dry.
• Avoiding tight, closed-toe shoes.
• Using public showers and pools sparingly.
• Wearing socks made of natural, breathable fabrics.
• Changing your socks daily.

While the nail fungus may not fully clear up, in many people, it may not cause any long-term effects, either. A mild fungal infection in your fingernail may not require medical treatment. However, if a doctor does recommend treatment, consider discussing the following frequently asked questions with them:

• What are the treatment options and their effectiveness?
• What are the potential side effects of the treatment?
• How long will the treatment take, and what can I expect during that time?
• What can I do to prevent the infection from returning or spreading to other nails?

Fungal nail infections

• Keeping your feet clean and dry
• Wearing socks and shoes that allow your feet to breathe
• Avoiding sharing towels, socks, or shoes with others
• Treating any athlete's foot (tinea pedis) you may have as well, as these can worsen or lead to fungal nail infections

Nail fungus treatment side effects

There is no single best over-the-counter (OTC) treatment for nail fungus. Over-the-counter medicines can be used to treat fungus on the skin around the nail bed, but they are not very effective at treating the hard nail bed. Prescription medicines, which you either take by mouth or apply to the nail, are more effective for nail fungus.

Fungal nail infections occur most frequently in the toenails, but can occur on the fingernails, too. Fungus growing under your nails can appear as a white, yellow, brown or black color with a crumbly texture. A mild fungal infection in your fingernail may not require medical treatment. However, if a doctor does recommend treatment, consider discussing the following frequently asked questions with them.

Urea (Kerasol) can help to soften and improve the appearance of brittle, yellow nails, but it does not treat the nail fungus. Effective antifungal products like creams or sprays for athlete's foot can be found over-the-counter. Treatment for nail fungus can take months, but not all people need to be treated.

Prescription medicines commonly used to treat nail fungus (onychomycosis) include oral and topical treatments, such as:

• Oral antifungal medicines
• Topical antifungal medicines
• Liquid medicines applied to the nail
• Laser treatments
• Nail removal

Once you’ve treated fingernail fungus, it’s important to take steps to help prevent the infection from returning or spreading to other nails. You can reduce your risk by:

• Treating any athlete's foot (tinea pedis) you may have
• Using an over-the-counter (OTC) kit with urea paste to help soften the nail, as well as a scraping device
• Gradually removing parts of the affected nail every day over the course of 2 to 3 weeks

Researchers have stated the need for alternative remedies for nail fungus to reduce medication side effects. To date, however, there isn’t a lot of evidence backing up various home remedies, and they may not clear up the infection. They also don’t work any quicker than medical treatment prescribed by a doctor.

Frequently asked questions