Toenail fungus is a common problem that begins with a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail. Nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken, and crumble at the edge as the fungal infection goes deeper. It can attack any nail. You may not need a treatment if your condition is light and not disturbing you. If the nail fungus becomes painful and makes the nails thickened, home remedies and medications may be effective. Nail fungus usually comes back even if the treatment is successful. Read on to know the symptoms nail fungus and methods on how to get rid of it:
Symptoms
Although the fungus mainly affects the toenails, nail fungus can affect any fingernail. If properly treated, fungal nail infections don’t usually lead to serious long-term problems. However, in certain individuals who have diabetes or a weakened immune system, they may be more serious. There is no pain associated with the infection, but if you find your nails thickened or show discoloration from white to yellowish brown, you may have fingernail fungus. Nails becoming brittle, crumbly, ragged or distorted in shape are also its symptoms. Debris may build up under the nail and make the nail dark. Sometimes, the nail may generate a slightly foul smell.
Treatment
- Medications
Usually, doctors prescribe antifungal medications that you can take orally or apply to the nail for fingernail fungus treatment. In some cases, the oral and topical antifungal therapies may be combined. - Oral Antifungal Medication
This is the best toenail fungus treatment as it clears the infection more quickly than anything else. However, the treatment success rates with these medications appear to be lower in adults over age 65. These medications stimulate a new nail to grow free of infection by slowly replacing the infected part. Typically, these drugs are prescribed for 6 to 12 weeks. Until the nail grows back completely, you won’t see the end result of treatment. To eliminate the infection entirely, it may take four months or longer. Despite its results, it may cause side effects ranging from skin rash to liver damage. Therefore, these medications are not recommended for people with liver disease or congestive heart failure. Occasional blood tests are necessary to check how you’re doing with these types of medications. - Medicated Nail Polish
Another most prescribed and the best toenail fungus treatment is applying an antifungal nail polish. Such nail polishes are painted on your infected nails and surrounding skin once in a day. You wipe the piled-on layers clean with alcohol and begin fresh applications after seven days. For almost a year, you have to use this type of nail polish daily to see the results. - Medicated Nail Cream
Antifungal cream prescribed by the doctor is rubbed into your infected nails after soaking. If you first thin the nails and then apply these creams, it may work better. The medication gets through the hard nail surface to the underlying fungus. You may apply a non-prescription lotion containing urea to thin nails or your doctor may thin the surface of using a file. - Surgery
Your doctor might recommend temporary removal of the nail to apply the antifungal medication directly to the infection under the nail. For some people, the fungal nail infections won’t respond to even the best toenail fungus treatment. In such cases, your doctor might advise permanent nail removal if the infection is severe or extremely uncomfortable.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Some of the best toenail fungus treatments at home are as follows:
- There are several over-the-counter antifungal nail creams and ointments available. Try over-the-counter antifungal nail creams and ointments. If you notice any white mark on the surface of your nails, file them off, soak your nails in water, and apply the medicated cream or lotion after drying them.
- Trim the nails and make them thin as this helps to reduce the discomfort by reducing pressure on the nails. Also, do this before applying an antifungal as this helps in reaching deeper layers of the nail. Soften the nails with urea-containing creams before trimming or using a nail file to thin thick nails. Get the help of a health care provider to trim your nails if you have a condition that causes poor blood flow to your feet and you can’t trim your nails.
If fingernail fungus is diagnosed and treated early, it is likely to clear and regrow a healthy nail. Early treatment will also help in preventing the fungus from spreading to other parts of your body and to other people. The treatment for each individual depends on the severity and the type of fungus causing it. Even the best toenail fungus treatment takes months to see the results and repeat infections are common even if the nail condition gets better.
