Noah Sinclair
Fungal nail infections, also known as onychomycosis, are characterised by thick, discoloured, and brittle nails. While not a serious condition, fungal nail infections can take a long time to treat and may require several months of medication. Treatment options range from over-the-counter antifungal creams and lotions to prescription-strength topical medications and oral antifungal pills. In severe cases, toenail fungus laser treatment or nail removal may be recommended. Recurrence rates for fungal nail infections are high, and prevention is key, especially for those with chronic diseases such as diabetes or circulatory issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Treatment time | Varies depending on the treatment method and severity of the infection. Can take a few months to a year or more. |
| Treatment methods | Antifungal pills, medicine applied to the nail, mentholated salve, laser treatment, nail removal, home remedies (e.g. tea tree oil, baking soda, vinegar) |
| Side effects | Antifungal pills can cause side effects and interact with other medications. Medicine applied to the nail may cause redness, swelling, ingrown toenail, stinging or burning. |
| Recurrence rate | Can be as high as 40%. |
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What You'll Learn
Home remedies
While medical treatments are the only known methods to effectively treat nail fungus, home remedies may help alleviate symptoms. There is little scientific evidence that home remedies work, and they may not work any faster than medical treatments. However, they can be useful for treating mild-to-moderate toenail fungus, especially as they tend to have fewer side effects.
There are several home remedies that you can try, which may help to relieve symptoms. Firstly, Vicks VapoRub has been shown to have a "positive clinical effect" in treating toenail fungus. It should be applied topically every day, although there are no established instructions for treating fungal nail infections. Another option is tea tree oil, which has antimicrobial and antifungal properties. You can also try over-the-counter antifungal creams, gels, and nail polishes.
Some other home remedies include using baking soda, which can be made into a foot soak or a paste to apply to the toe. One small study found that treating affected nail samples with baking soda stopped fungal growth in 79% of cases and reduced it in 17% of cases after 7 days of treatment. Listerine mouthwash is another possible remedy, as it contains thymol, which has antifungal properties.
While using home remedies, it is important to keep your nails trimmed and thin your nail bed by filing it down to reduce pressure and pain. It is also recommended to see a doctor if you think you have a toenail fungus, as home remedies may only treat the symptoms and not the infection itself.
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Over-the-counter treatments
Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments are best for mild toenail fungus and may take months to work. While using them, file or cut off any white markings on your nails. Soak your nails in water and dry them off before applying the medicated cream.
OTC treatments include antifungal creams, gels, ointments, sprays, liquids, and patches. Creams and gels are available without a prescription, but terbinafine pills require a prescription. Tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil have antifungal properties and perform as well as some OTC treatments. A paste of baking soda and water can be applied directly to the affected nail and left for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.
Topical treatments with nail polish may take up to a year to work. Before applying the nail polish, the affected nail must be cut and filed down as much as possible. The nail polishes contain the growth-inhibiting and antifungal ingredients amorolfine or ciclopirox. Ciclopirox has been shown to be effective after one year of treatment.
Oral antifungal treatments are much more effective than topical treatments, but they have more side effects. They are typically taken for two to three months, but the fungus may not be completely gone for 10 months or longer.
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Oral antifungal medication
The possible side effects of oral antifungal medications include liver toxicity, headaches, dizziness, stomach and bowel problems, and rashes. These medications can also interact with other drugs, including cholesterol-reducing medications, blood-sugar-lowering medications, and certain sleeping pills. It is important to inform your doctor about any medications you are currently taking to avoid potential drug interactions. Additionally, oral antifungal medications may not be suitable for individuals with certain conditions, such as liver or kidney disease, or for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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Topical medication
Topical treatments for fungal nail infections include creams, ointments, gels, sprays, patches, nail lacquers, and liquids. These treatments are applied directly to the affected nail. Topical treatments are usually recommended for children because most oral medications are not suitable for them. They are also more suitable for mild infections and may be recommended for early-stage toenail fungus.
Topical treatments are available over the counter or by prescription. Prescription-strength topical medications may be recommended if over-the-counter treatments have not worked. Ciclopirox (Penlac), efinaconazole (Jublia), and tavaborole (Kerydin) are examples of prescription topical treatments.
Topical treatments may need to be applied several times daily and for six months or more to clear the infection. It may take a year of daily use before the fungus goes away. It is important to follow the directions carefully and apply these medicines exactly as directed.
Some natural home remedies that have antifungal properties include tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, ozonized sunflower oil, and baking soda.
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Nail removal
Fungal nail infections are usually treated with antifungal medications, which can take a long time to work and may have side effects. If conservative treatments fail to resolve the infection, or if the infection is causing severe pain, surgery may be considered as a last resort.
After the procedure, you can expect the area around your nail to remain numb for a few hours. Subsequently, you may experience pain, throbbing, swelling, bleeding, or fluid discharge from the wound. It usually takes at least 2–3 weeks for the nail bed to heal, and your doctor will advise you on when you can resume normal physical activities.
Keep in mind that nails grow back slowly. It typically takes about six months for fingernails to regrow and up to 18 months for toenails.
While nail removal surgery is not a common procedure, it can be performed in your doctor's office. It's important to remember that fungal nail infections are not serious, but they can be challenging to treat.
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Frequently asked questions
Over-the-counter treatments for fungal nail infections include creams, ointments, sprays and liquids. You'll need to use this regularly for a few months before you start to see an improvement.
Antifungal pills are prescribed by doctors for severe infections. Studies show that taking these pills for two to three months can cure an infection. However, you may need to take them for up to six months.
Home remedies for fungal nail infections include tea tree oil, mentholated ointments, baking soda, and vinegar. You will need to apply these treatments to the affected nail several times daily for six months or more.
Laser treatment is a fairly new method of treating fungal nail infections. There is currently no conclusive evidence on how long this treatment should be carried out.
