Liam Carter
Fungal nail infections are unsightly and can be difficult to treat. They usually affect toenails, but can also occur in fingernails. The nail becomes thick, discoloured, distorted, and easy to break. Treatment options include over-the-counter products, prescription drugs, laser treatment, and surgical or non-surgical nail removal. Home remedies such as foot soaks with baking soda or salt, or topical applications of urea cream, can also help. It is important to practise good foot hygiene and take preventative measures to avoid fungal nail infections, such as wearing shower shoes in public places.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance of fungal nail | Thickened, discoloured (white or yellow), distorted and easy to break |
| Causes | Fungi that cause athlete's foot; walking barefoot in places like communal showers and gyms; wearing trainers for long periods, making feet hot and sweaty |
| Treatment | Over-the-counter products, prescription drugs, laser treatment, surgical or non-surgical nail removal, antifungal tablets (if other treatments don't work) |
| Prevention | Wear shower shoes or flip-flops in public places like locker rooms or pool decks; trim nails short and straight across; avoid rounding the edges; keep toenails shorter than the end of toes |
| Home remedies | Soak nails in warm water before cutting; use urea cream to soften nails; make small cuts with nail nippers; file nails with an emery board; use baking soda in foot soak or as a paste |
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What You'll Learn
Soak nails in warm water before cutting
Soaking your nails in warm water is a good way to soften them before cutting. This is especially important for fungal nails, which tend to become thick, distorted, and brittle. Soaking the nails makes them easier to trim and reduces the risk of accidentally ripping them, which could provide an entry point for further infection.
It is recommended that you soak your nails for at least 10 minutes, but longer soaks are beneficial, with some sources recommending up to 40 minutes. Soaking your nails in warm water can be combined with other treatments. For example, you can add apple cider vinegar to the water, as vinegar has antifungal properties. The recommended ratio is one part vinegar to three parts warm water.
Baking soda is another popular additive for nail soaks. While it may not kill the fungus, one small study found that treating infected 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 also make a baking soda paste to apply directly to the affected nail.
After soaking your nails, trim them straight across, keeping them shorter than the end of your toes. This helps prevent the fungus from spreading further. It is important to use sharp, clean nail clippers and scissors and to file away any white markings on the nails, which indicate the presence of fungus.
In addition to soaking your nails in warm water, it is recommended to keep your feet dry and wear shower shoes or flip-flops in public places like locker rooms and swimming pool decks to prevent the spread of fungal infections.
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Cut nails short and straight across
Toenail fungus is a common condition that can take a long time to go away. It is caused by a fungus that also causes athlete's foot, which can multiply in warm, dark, and moist places like the feet. The infection often starts at the edge of the nail and spreads, causing the nail to thicken and turn white or yellow.
If you have a fungal nail infection, it is important to cut your nails short and straight across. Here are some detailed instructions to do so:
- Soak your nails in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften them before trimming. You can also add a teaspoon of salt for every pint of water to help soften your nails further.
- Alternatively, apply a urea cream to your nails and cover them with a bandage for up to 24 hours to soften them.
- Use nail nippers meant for cutting toenails, as regular clippers may not be strong enough to cut through thicker, infected nails.
- Make small cuts straight across your nails, starting at the outer corner and moving inward. Do not round the edges, as this can lead to ingrown nails.
- Keep your nails shorter than the ends of your toes to prevent the fungus from spreading further.
- File down any sharp edges with a nail file or emery board to smooth the nail and prevent catching.
It is important to note that if trimming your nails causes pain or if you are unable to cut through them on your own, you should visit a doctor. Additionally, if you have a severe infection, your doctor may recommend removing all or part of the infected nail.
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Treat athlete's foot to prevent nail fungus
Fungal nail infections are unsightly and can cause nails to become thickened, discoloured, distorted, and easy to break. Most fungal nail infections are caused by the same fungus that causes athlete's foot. Therefore, treating athlete's foot promptly is crucial to preventing nail fungus.
Athlete's foot is a contagious fungal infection that causes itchy skin on the feet. The fungus thrives and spreads easily in warm, moist places, such as locker rooms, swimming pools, and sweaty feet. It can also spread to other areas of the body, including the hands, and the toenails, causing a fungal nail infection.
To prevent athlete's foot from spreading to the nails, it is important to practise good hygiene and keep shared spaces clean. This includes cleaning floors and bedding with bleach, which is effective in killing the fungus. Additionally, when in public places like locker rooms or swimming pools, wear shower shoes or flip-flops to reduce the risk of contracting the fungus.
Treating athlete's foot promptly can help prevent it from spreading to the nails. Over-the-counter treatments are available for mild cases, but prescription medications are usually required for moderate to severe infections. Oral antifungal medications may be prescribed, but they are not suitable for those with liver or kidney disease, or for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals. In some cases, surgical or non-surgical nail removal may be necessary for severe infections.
To summarise, treating athlete's foot effectively and promptly is crucial to preventing nail fungus. Practise good hygiene, keep shared spaces clean, and seek appropriate medical treatment to reduce the risk of nail fungus caused by athlete's foot.
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OTC products are best for mild toenail fungus
Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a common condition that affects about 40 million Americans. It causes the nail to become discoloured, thickened, distorted, and easy to break. It is usually caused by the same fungus that causes athlete's foot, which thrives in warm, dark, and moist places like the feet.
If you have a fungal nail infection, over-the-counter (OTC) products are a good option for treating mild cases. OTC treatments are also suitable for those who cannot take oral medications. While these may not be as effective as prescription drugs, they are easily accessible and can help manage the infection. It is important to note that most OTC products are not strong enough to cure moderate or severe cases of toenail fungus.
There are several OTC options available for treating mild toenail fungus. One popular option is Lamisil, which can be purchased over the counter as a cream, gel, spray, or powder. It has been found to be effective in treating toenail fungus, although it may take a few months to see full results. Another option is tolnaftate, which is a common ingredient in OTC products for athlete's foot and comes in various forms such as cream, powder, spray, or liquid.
In addition to these products, there are also natural remedies that may be effective in treating mild toenail fungus. For example, baking soda has been found to prevent and reduce fungal growth in nail samples. It can be used as a foot soak or applied directly to the toe as a paste. Sunflower oil is another natural remedy that has been found to fight against the yeasts that cause foot fungus, without any observed side effects.
While OTC products can be helpful for mild toenail fungus, it is important to consult a doctor if the infection persists or becomes more severe. In some cases, prescription medications or surgical procedures may be necessary to treat the infection effectively.
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Surgical or non-surgical nail removal
Fungal nail infections cause the nail to become discoloured, thickened, distorted, and easy to break. They usually affect toenails, but fingernails can also be affected. The infection often spreads to the entire nail, and sometimes nail removal is necessary. This can be done surgically or non-surgically.
If the infection is deep and has been present for a long time, a doctor may recommend removing all or part of the nail. Surgical nail removal is typically only performed when a large portion of the nail is diseased and damaged, or if the nails are very painful. The procedure is done under local anaesthesia. The doctor will first inject your finger or toe to prevent pain, then use a tool to loosen the skin around the nail and separate it from the skin. If only part of the nail is diseased, only that portion is removed. To prevent regrowth and future infection, the doctor may destroy the nail matrix by applying a chemical to the cuticle area. After removing the nail plate, an ointment is applied to the wound, which is then covered with gauze and tape. It is important to keep the area clean to reduce the risk of infection. A new nail usually grows back, but it may take up to a year or longer, and its shape and appearance may be abnormal.
Non-surgical nail removal is another option for treating fungal nail infections. This involves applying urea ointment to the infected nail surface and wrapping the nail in plastic and tape. The ointment softens the nail bed, allowing the doctor to remove the infected nail or cut away the diseased portion after about 10 days. This method does not require anaesthesia and is less invasive than surgical removal.
There are also over-the-counter (OTC) treatments available for mild toenail fungus, although they may not be strong enough to cure moderate or severe cases. These treatments often involve soaking the nails in warm water and cutting away any white markings. Prescription drugs, such as antifungal tablets, may be necessary for more severe infections, although they may not be suitable for individuals with certain conditions, such as liver or kidney disease, or for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. In addition, home remedies like baking soda soaks or pastes, and laser treatments can be used alongside prescription medications to help speed up the treatment process.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, but only after soaking your nails in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften them. Make small cuts straight across your nails with a pair of nail nippers meant for cutting toenails.
Keep your toenails shorter than the end of your toes. Avoid walking barefoot in places like communal showers and gyms. Treat athlete's foot promptly to avoid it spreading to your nails.
Over-the-counter (OTC) products are best for mild toenail fungus. Soak your nails in water and dry them off before applying a medicated cream. You can also try a foot soak with baking soda, or apply a paste made from baking soda to your toes.
See a doctor if you think your toenail fungus has returned or if trimming your nails causes pain. If the infection is deep and you've had it for a while, your doctor may recommend removing all or part of your nail surgically or non-surgically.
