Studies show that taking antifungal pills and applying medicine to your nails can be more effective than using either treatment alone. Nail removal: If you have a severe infection or other treatments just don't work, your dermatologist may recommend removing the nail(s) to get rid of the infection.
Toenail removal may be recommended if your toenail is thickened and painful. Sometimes, the doctor may recommend this as part of a complete fungal treatment plan. Toenail fungus actually lives not only on the nail but also on the nailbed itself.
There are procedures that use lasers or light therapy to kill the fungus, but doctors need more research to find out how well they really work. So, at this point, your doctor may suggest surgery to remove the nail. It's not a common surgery, but it's an option when all else fails.
If you get a nail fungal infection, you may still be able to wear nail polish, but you should not wear artificial nails because it will be hard for your doctor to monitor your improvement. Artificial nails also can create an environment that allows fungi and bacteria to grow more easily.
Don't go barefoot in public places. Use a spray or powder that fights fungus on your feet and in your shoes. Don't pick at the skin around your nails. Don't use nail polish or fake nails on your nails.
It can take between 6 and 18 months for the appearance of the affected nail to return to normal, and in some cases the nail may not look the same as before the infection.
If toenail fungus is left untreated, it can spread to the surrounding skin on the foot, causing another condition known as athlete's foot. An athlete's foot is a condition resulting in itchy, red, and cracked skin, which can become very uncomfortable.
What are some other conditions that might lead to toenail removal? Ingrown toenails: This gives your toes the chance to grow back in the right shape and direction. Toenail tumors: Nail removal is the best way to treat these tumors. Trauma to the nail: If your toenail has broken, it might be best to remove it.
Most fungal nail infections are not serious. However, some people may experience pain or be bothered by the appearance of their nails. Fungal nail infections may cause nails to become discolored, thick, fragile, or cracked. The nail may also become separated from the nail bed.
One type, distal subungual onychomycosis, can be a lifelong infection and hard to treat. Another type, white superficial onychomycosis, can be easily treated. Even after treatment, your nails may continue to look irregular in shape and appearance. It can take a year or longer before they return to normal.
Essential oils are also a way to clear the fungi from your nails. Most contain antibacterial and antifungal properties. Some of the best include Tea Tree oil, Clove oil, Jasmine oil, Lavender oil, Eucalyptus oil, Cinnamon oil, and more.
You'll know that the medication is working and the toenail fungus is dying when your toenail changes back to its natural color, decreases in thickness, shows healthy new growth, and you see a clear delineation between the infected part of the toenail and your new nail growth.
Toenails may take 12 to 18 months to grow back. The area exposed by the nail removal should be kept clean. You may cover the area with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage.
Podiatrists will treat toenail fungus by using topical creams, removing part of the nail, and or using more modern methods like laser therapy to eliminate the infection.
It's normal to worry about how painful nail surgery might be. Reassuringly, the only slightly painful part is the injection used to administer anaesthetic - very similar to the one you may have in your gums at the Dentist. Once the toe is numb, you will not experience any pain while the nail is removed.
Vicks has a little impact on toenails. Vicks Vaporub softens and lightens toenails. This makes it look like the fungus is being treated. Vicks may have some antifungal qualities, but it is unable to penetrate the toenail well enough to cure the infection.
Best Overall
We chose the Lamisil Terbinafine Hydrochloride AntiFungal Cream as our top pick because it works to address a variety of infections, including toenail fungus. The prescription-strength cream comes highly recommended by Dr. Lipner because it can treat athlete's foot before it spreads to the toenails.
Clear color. Many times, the color on the nail indicating fungus (yellow, black, brown, etc.) will begin to diminish as it grows out and dissipates. Delineation. Over time, the yellowing of the nail should be restricted to the part of the nail that's growing out, giving way to a clear nail at the base of the nail bed.
Toenail fungus can be tough to get rid of because it can get into and in between those layers. It may also sit on top of the nail or grow underneath it. In some cases, fungus can get into the cells that make the nail, called the nail matrix.
Causes of Toenail Fungus
Just like with other health conditions that stem from gut-related problems, when you don't have enough good bacteria living within your gut, you wind up developing high levels of yeast and fungus (bad bacteria) in your body that can show up on your skin.
Although the fungus affects the appearance of the nails, it actually lives on the layer directly beneath the toenail. That's why it's so difficult to treat. Your nails are made up of keratin, a tough, fibrous protein. The same hard shell that protects your toes is giving shelter to the fungus.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Thiamine is synthesized by bacteria, plants, and fungi but not by animals.
Your health care provider may prescribe an antifungal cream, such as efinaconazole (Jublia) and tavaborole (Kerydin). You rub this product into your infected nails after soaking. These creams may work better if you first thin the nails.