Toenail Fungus | Treatment of Toenail Fungus

Treatment of Toenail Fungus

Filed Under Toenail Fungus Cures and Remedies | 49 Comments

If you’ve contracted toenail fungus or fingernail fungus, you have probably been trying to find a nail fungus cures or treatment. Prescription drugs are one of your options as well as medication that can be found at your local drug store. Various natural or home remedies are also a possibility. What should you choose? What nail fungus cure is right for you? You should resign yourself to a rather extended term of treatment as these treatments, especially home remedies for nail fungus treatment, tend to take a long time to work – that is, if they work at all.

Not everyone looking for a nail fungus cures actually has the condition. Several other things happen to nails as you age. Imperfections can be caused by psoriasis, bacteria, bruises and other trauma to your nails. Toenails that are infected with fungus are usually found to be yellow or brown and have become abnormally thick. In some cases, they may become crumbly and your toenail may also separate from the nail bed. Your doctor can make a positive diagnosis so if you want to know for certain if you have nail fungus, see your doctor.

Due to moisture and other ideal conditions, toenails are generally impacted first by nail fungus. Toenail fungus can spread, however, so be aware you will have to take caution not to get it in your fingernails as well. Your first move should be to learn how to make conditions less ideal for the fungus to speed up its departure and discourage it coming back after treatment, if you choose that option. Toenail fungus loves to feed on dead tissue. Dead skin cells and the keratin in nails will result in the fungus flourishing when conditions are moist. Clean and dry is the key to keeping toenail fungus away and at bay. When you are done exercising, or when you get out of the pool or leave the shower, make sure you dry your feet appropriately.  A hair dryer might help as well. If your feet get wet, dry them.

Eventually, you will have to choose between a home remedies for nail fungus, over the counter remedies, or prescription drugs. Commonly prescribed drugs for toenail fungus cures are itraconazole, terbinafine, and fluconazole. They are effective because they are circulated throughout your body and can attack the fungus from within. You’ll find they are quite expensive however and you should also research the appropriateness of taking these medications for you due to potential side effects.

Ciclopirox is a medication that treats the toenail fungus from the top.  It is brushed on like a nail polish. It is only effective if the toenail fungus isn’t overly advanced.

Oils, lotions, and creams applied topically are generally the approach of over-the-counter medications.  They are only marginally effective. Nails with advanced fungus are usually thick and lotions will have a difficult time penetrating your nail tissue to treat the fungus.  Simply put, if they can’t get to the fungus growing underneath your nail, they can’t treat it.

Over the years, many home remedies for nail fungus have cropped up.  Although some are tedious, many people infected are certain they work. Most home cures involved soaking or softening the nail prior to or during treatment.  Popular home remedies include tee tree oil, PineSol, oregano oil, vinegar, and Vicks rubs.  A beer and vinegar solution has become more popular of late. Your results are going to be mixed at best with home treatments.  Remember, there are chemicals in solutions such as PineSol and those chemicals will penetrate your skin. Do your research prior to trying home remedies that contain chemicals which may be harmful.  Proceed with caution.

A new treatment for toenail fungus is a product called Leucatin.  It is both internal and external so it can attack fungus on both sides of your nail.  It also boosts your internal anti-inflammatory abilities as well and your natural resistance to infection.  Leucatin has been found to be quite effective.  It can destroy the fungus entirely.

Whether to use prescriptions drugs, home remedies for nail fungus, or over-the-counter treatment is a question only you can answer.  There is no right answer for anyone. Many people have found home remedies a very effective treatment solution.  Others prefer to see a doctor to make a positive diagnosis.  Still others are willing to live with toenail fungus as it doesn’t significantly reduce their quality of life – it is only unsightly.  No matter what you decide, there certainly are options and you should be able to find an option that work for you.

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