Ava Monroe
Fungal nail infections are characterised by thick, discoloured, brittle nails that are prone to breakage. While not a serious condition, it can take a long time to treat. Treatment options include antifungal pills, creams, gels, sprays, patches, nail lacquers, and laser treatments. Antifungal pills can be more effective than topical treatments, but they also have more side effects. Topical treatments with nail polish may take up to a year to be effective, while antifungal pills typically need to be taken for several weeks or months. In some severe cases, nail removal may be recommended to get rid of the infection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken for a new nail to grow back | 4-6 months for a fingernail; 12-18 months for a toenail |
| Time taken for antifungal pills to work | Several weeks or months |
| Time taken for topical treatments with nail polish to work | Up to one year |
| Time taken for antifungal creams to work | 14 days for the initial treatment, followed by 4 weeks of bifonazole cream treatment |
| Time taken for laser treatment to work | At least 2 months from the first treatment |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Antifungal pills and nail medicine
Antifungal treatments for nail infections include pills, creams, gels, sprays, patches, nail polishes, and prescription medications. While antifungal pills are more effective than topical treatments, they also have more side effects. For this reason, some people opt for laser treatment, which involves heating up the nail layers where the fungus is located and destroying its genetic material. However, this treatment option is not covered by insurance and requires multiple sessions.
Antifungal pills are typically taken for several weeks or months. They inhibit the growth of fungi or kill them and are available by prescription only. Examples include terbinafine and itraconazole, with the former being preferred if the nail fungus is caused by a skin fungus (dermatophyte).
Topical treatments, on the other hand, can take up to a year to be effective. An example of a topical treatment is a cream containing bifonazole, which has an antifungal effect. The affected toe or finger is soaked in warm water for ten minutes, dried, and then covered with the cream and an adhesive bandage for 24 hours. This process is repeated for 14 days, after which the infected part of the nail is scraped away, and the skin beneath is treated with bifonazole cream for another four weeks.
In addition to creams, antifungal nail medicine can be applied to the nails in the form of a brush-on or paint-on solution. This type of treatment may need to be used for 6 to 12 months and may not be suitable for individuals under 18, pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Overall, while there are various treatment options available for nail fungus, none are ideal, and medicine applied to the nails has a low cure rate.
Silk Wrap Nails: How Long Do They Last?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Laser treatment
There are several types of laser treatments available, including CO2 laser therapy and the 1064-nm Nd: YAG laser, and the treatment is generally safe. Some people report mild discomfort and a feeling of heat during the procedure, which typically lasts about 30 minutes. Most people will not feel any discomfort and do not need any recovery time, allowing them to return to their usual activities immediately. However, it can take about two months to notice the results of the procedure, as you will need to wait for the new, fungus-free nail to grow in, which can take six to twelve months. Typically, four treatments are recommended, but this may vary depending on individual cases and the advice of the podiatrist.
It is important to note that more research is needed to assess the effectiveness of laser treatment for nail fungus. While studies have shown success in clearing fungal infections, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) notes a lack of research on the safety and effectiveness of this treatment method.
Press-On Nails: Making Them Last
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Nail removal
Antifungal pills are an effective treatment for nail fungus. They work more quickly than medicine applied to the nails, and have a higher cure rate. Typically, two months of treatment can cure an infection under the fingernails, whereas toenail infections usually require three months of treatment. Antifungal pills can cause side effects, so a doctor will monitor you closely and may request monthly blood tests.
In some cases, nail removal may be necessary to treat a fungal infection. This is usually done under local anaesthetic. There are two types of nail removal procedures, both of which can be performed in a medical office or clinic. Firstly, a doctor may trim and file the nail, removing dead layers to help the product penetrate deeper. They may also take a sample of the nail to send to a lab to confirm the presence of fungus and identify the type.
If the infection is severe or deep, a doctor may recommend removing all or part of the nail. This involves first numbing the area with a shot, then loosening the skin around the nail with a special tool before removing the nail from the toe. This procedure is rare and the nail usually grows back, but it may take up to a year. While the nail is growing back, a doctor will likely prescribe a cream or other treatment to keep the nail bed free of fungus.
Another treatment option involves the use of urea cream to soften the nail, which is then scraped off. This is followed by the application of bifonazole cream, an antifungal medication. This treatment is carried out over 14 days, and the skin beneath the nail is then treated for another four weeks.
While nail removal can be an effective treatment for fungal infections, it is important to note that none of the available treatments are ideal. Researchers are actively working on developing new and better ways to treat nail fungus, including the use of lasers and light treatments.
Healing Nails: Biting Recovery Timeline
You may want to see also
Explore related products
OTC antifungal treatments
While there is no single "best" over-the-counter (OTC) treatment for nail fungus, there are a variety of OTC products available to treat nail fungus. These include:
Oral antifungal medicines
Oral antifungal medicines are typically more effective than topical treatments, but they may also cause more side effects and drug interactions. Examples of oral antifungal medicines include terbinafine and itraconazole, which are prescription-only medications.
Topical antifungal treatments
Topical antifungal treatments are applied directly to the nail and the surrounding skin. They may be less effective than oral treatments, but they can still be useful in treating nail fungus. Examples of topical antifungal treatments include:
- Nail polishes and creams containing antifungal ingredients such as amorolfine or ciclopirox.
- Urea-based creams, which can help soften and improve the appearance of brittle, yellow nails, but do not treat the underlying nail fungus.
- Bifonazole cream, which has an antifungal effect and is applied after using a urea-based cream to soften the nail.
- Tolnaftate, which is available as a cream, powder, spray, or liquid, and is effective against athlete's foot, ringworm, and jock itch.
- Vapor rub, which has been shown in a small study to be effective against toenail fungus.
- Tea tree oil, which has been shown to be as effective as clotrimazole, an ingredient in many OTC treatments.
It is important to note that even with treatment, nail fungus can be stubborn and difficult to clear. In some cases, it may be necessary to combine treatments or consider more invasive procedures such as nail removal in severe cases. Additionally, treatment for nail fungus can take a significant amount of time, with fingernails taking 4 to 6 months to grow out and toenails taking 12 to 18 months.
Dip Powder Nails: How Long for a Manicure?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Prescription medication
Nail Polishes and Creams
Nail polishes and creams are available in pharmacies without a prescription. These products contain the growth-inhibiting and antifungal ingredients amorolfine or ciclopirox. Amorolfine is applied one to two times a week, while ciclopirox products are applied every other day in the first month, at least twice a week in the second month, and once a week from the third month onwards. It is important to note that while these treatments improve the condition of nails, they may not completely cure nail fungus.
Tablets
If pharmacy treatments are ineffective, your general practitioner (GP) may prescribe antifungal tablets. They will first take a sample of your nail to test the type of infection and may also perform a blood test to check your liver function. Antifungal tablets are typically taken once a day for three months. The specific medication depends on the cause of the infection. Terbinafine is used if the nail fungus is caused by a skin fungus (dermatophyte), while itraconazole is used if the infection is caused by yeast or mold. These tablets can be taken continuously or with breaks between treatments. However, they may interact with other medications and have side effects, so it is important to consult a doctor before use.
Nail Melanoma: Understanding the Prognosis and Survival Rates
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Toenail fungus treatment can take at least 6 months to as long as 18 months. Over-the-counter antifungal treatments may take months to work, and prescription medications like terbinafine will work faster, but you'll still need to take them for about 12 weeks. Laser treatments take about 30 minutes, and you usually need at least two treatments 5-6 weeks apart.
Fingernails take much less time to recover than toenails, with a recovery time of 4 to 6 months.
It may take a few months before you start to see an improvement. You will know the infection is cured when you see healthy nail growth at the base.
