Toenail fungus is an unpleasant and often debilitating condition. Symptoms can include discolored and thickened nails, loss of strength and pain in the affected area, and a change in nail shape or color. Treatment options at: AnkleAndFootCenters.com vary from home remedies to prescription-strength oral and topical medications.
The most effective treatments have a high success rate and are safe for the entire family. A doctor can help you decide which treatments are right for you.
Prevention
Keeping your feet dry and clean can reduce the risk of developing toenail fungus. This includes wearing shoes that allow your toes to breathe and not sweat excessively, changing socks frequently, and avoiding frequent contact with public showers, locker rooms, or swimming pools.
It is important to use a foot-care product that contains an antifungal agent, such as neomycin or miconazole nitrate, at all times. These products can be used directly on the affected toenails or rubbed into the skin around the infected toenail.
Essential Oils
Some essential oils are known for their antifungal properties, according to the National Institutes of Health. Some, such as thymol in oregano oil and tea tree oil, may be particularly helpful against nail fungus.
Applying a few drops of these oils directly to the infected nails can be an easy and effective way to get rid of toenail fungus. However, it is recommended that you test these oils on a small patch of skin to ensure that they do not cause any allergic reactions.
Another option is to soak the infected toenails in a solution of vinegar or Listerine mouthwash. These contain menthol, thymol, and eucalyptus, which are known to have antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Medicated Nail Polish
Your doctor may prescribe an antifungal nail polish that is painted on your infected toenails and the surrounding skin once a day for seven days. The medication in the polish helps to kill the fungus and prevent it from growing back.
Medicated Nail Creams
Your healthcare provider can also prescribe antifungal creams to treat your toenail fungus. These creams are usually applied after soaking the toenails and can be worn on your toes for up to a year.
Oral Medication
Some prescription drugs can also be effective in treatment for foot fungus. These medications are designed to target the fungus by traveling through your bloodstream and destroying it. These pills are usually taken for a few weeks to a few months and can be paired with other types of medication to boost their effectiveness.
Nail Removal
If you have a very severe case of toenail fungus, your doctor may recommend completely removing your toenails. While this will not eliminate the fungus, it will greatly reduce the severity of the infection. It may take a few months for a new, healthy nail to grow in place of the removed one, but this process usually happens within six to twelve months.
While many people swear by home remedies for toenail fungus, most of these methods have not been proven by research to be effective. You will likely need to try at least a few of these home remedies before finding one that works for you. For more information related to this topic, click here: https://www.britannica.com/facts/athletes-foot.
