Noah Sinclair
Toenail fungus is a common condition that can take a long time to go away. It often starts as mild nail discolouration or lifting, but without treatment, it can thicken, become brittle, and cause nail loss. The timeline of fungal progression typically involves a few weeks to a few months to eradicate the underlying infection, and it may take 12 to 18 months for a nail fungus infection to completely clear up and for fresh growth to fully replace the damaged nail.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken for nail fungus treatment to start working | A few months |
| Time taken for nail fungus to completely clear up | 6 months to 18 months |
| Time taken for fresh growth to fully replace the damaged nail | 12 to 18 months |
| Time taken for antifungal pills to work | 12 weeks |
| Time taken for home remedies to work | A few months |
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What You'll Learn
Toenail fungus treatment
Toenail fungus is a common condition that can take a long time to go away. It is characterised by mild nail discolouration or lifting, and can cause nails to thicken, become brittle, and fall off without treatment. It is important to differentiate between the time it takes to "treat" or "cure" toenail fungus, and the time it takes for a new, healthy nail to fully emerge.
Treatment Options
There are various treatment options available for toenail fungus, including:
- Antifungal tablets or creams: These can help stop the progression of the fungus and prevent it from growing and destroying the nail.
- Oral antifungal medications: These are often used to treat fungal infections, but some patients may prefer not to take medicine.
- Home remedies: Some people may choose to use home remedies such as tea tree oil, vinegar, or Vicks VapoRub. However, it is important to note that home remedies may not be effective for more severe infections.
- Topical treatments: Creams, sprays, and gels like ciclopirox (Penlac), efinaconazole (Jublia), and tavaborole (Kerydin) are best for surface fungus. Antifungal nail medicine that you brush onto the nail may also be recommended.
- Prescription medication: A doctor may prescribe medication such as terbinafine, which works faster than home remedies but still needs to be taken for about 12 weeks.
- Surgical or non-surgical nail removal: If the infection is deep and has been present for a long time, a doctor may recommend removing all or part of the nail.
Prevention
To prevent toenail fungus, it is recommended to wear shoes or sandals in public places like locker rooms or pool decks, as the fungus thrives in damp, dark, and crowded environments. Keeping your toenails shorter than the end of your toes and cleaning your nail clippers can also help prevent the fungus from entering through torn nails.
Timeline for Improvement
It is important to remember that even with treatment, toenail fungus can take a long time to improve. It may take a few months of treatment before you start to see any improvement, and the fungus may not be completely gone for 10 to 18 months. In addition, killing the fungus will not repair a nail that has already been damaged, so you will have to wait for a new, healthy nail to grow out naturally, which can take several months.
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Home remedies
While medical treatments are the only known methods to effectively treat nail fungus, home remedies can be used to complement them. It's important to note that home remedies are not 100% effective in clearing up nail fungus and may not work any faster than medical treatments.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has traditionally been used as an antiseptic to kill germs, and it has been researched for use on skin conditions like acne. In one study, tea tree oil was applied to the affected nail twice a day for six months, and the cure rate for toenail fungus was found to be comparable to using the cream clotrimazole. However, another study that ran for only eight weeks showed no improvement with tea tree oil treatment.
Vicks VapoRub
Vicks VapoRub contains camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol, which have antifungal properties. While it is commonly used to soothe coughs, some believe it can also help treat toenail fungus.
Vinegar
Vinegar does fight fungus, but no studies have been conducted to determine its effectiveness in curing toenail fungus. If you wish to try it, mix one part apple cider vinegar with three parts warm water and soak your feet for at least 10 minutes, with longer soaks being more beneficial (up to 40 minutes).
Baking soda
Baking soda is more likely to prevent fungi than kill it. In one small study, treating affected nail samples with baking soda stopped fungal growth in 79% of cases and reduced it in 17% of cases after seven days of treatment. You can make a foot soak or a paste to apply to the affected toe, or simply sprinkle baking soda on your feet to absorb moisture.
It's important to remember that even with successful treatment, nail fungus can return. To prevent toenail fungus, consider wearing shower shoes or flip-flops in public places like locker rooms or swimming pool decks.
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Antifungal medication
Topical treatments
Topical treatments are applied directly to the nail. These include creams, gels, sprays, nail polishes, and patches. Topical treatments may take several months or up to a year to work. They are best for mild toenail fungus. Most over-the-counter (OTC) topical treatments are not strong enough to cure moderate or severe cases.
Topical treatments with antifungal ingredients like bifonazole, amorolfine, or ciclopirox can be applied as nail polishes. Amorolfine is applied one to two times a week. Ciclopirox products are usually applied every other day in the first month, at least twice a week in the second month, and once a week starting from the third month.
Oral treatments
Antifungal pills like itraconazole (Sporanox) and terbinafine (Lamisil) are more effective than topical treatments, but they can cause side effects and may not be suitable for people with certain conditions. You usually take these pills for 12 weeks, but the fungus may not be completely gone for 10 months or longer. Antifungal pills can also take two to three months to cure a fingernail infection and three to six months to cure a toenail infection.
Combination therapy
Taking antifungal pills and using topical treatments at the same time can be more effective than using either treatment alone.
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Oral medication
Oral antifungal pills usually need to be taken for 12 weeks, but the fungus may not be completely gone for 10 months or longer. In some cases, it can take up to 18 months to see your nail return to normal. It is important to continue taking the medication as prescribed, even if the fungus appears to have gone away. Stopping treatment early could cause the infection to return.
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Prevention
While toenail fungus is usually not a serious condition, it can take a long time to treat and may cause discomfort. The infection can spread to other nails and even other parts of the body, leading to issues like athlete's foot or jock itch. Therefore, it is important to take preventive measures to avoid contracting toenail fungus.
- Keep your toenails trimmed and short, especially in public places like locker rooms or swimming pools. Avoid rounding the edges and trim them straight across.
- Wear breathable shoes or sandals that allow air circulation and prevent moisture buildup.
- Choose socks that are made of acrylic or other materials that wick away sweat. Sanitized, acrylic socks are often better than cotton for keeping your feet dry.
- When visiting a nail salon, ensure that they sanitize their nail tools to prevent the spread of infection.
- Clean your nail clippers and other nail care tools regularly to avoid the buildup of fungus.
- Soak your nails in warm water before cutting them, or cut them right after a shower when they are softer.
- Avoid ripping or tearing your nails, as this can create entry points for fungus.
- Wear shower shoes or flip-flops in public places like locker rooms, swimming pools, or communal showers to avoid direct contact with potentially contaminated surfaces.
By following these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of contracting toenail fungus and avoid the lengthy treatment process associated with this condition.
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Frequently asked questions
Toenail fungus won't go away without treatment. It can take at least 6 months to as long as 18 months to see your nail return to normal.
Treatment options include antifungal tablets, creams, sprays, gels, and nail polishes. Oral antifungal medications are often used to treat fungal infections, but some patients prefer home remedies such as tea tree oil and vinegar.
Toenail fungus often starts as subtle nail discoloration or lifting, but it can thicken, become brittle, and cause nail loss without treatment.
