What kills toenail fungus best?

Your health care provider may prescribe antifungal drugs that you take by mouth (orally) or apply to the nail.
  • Oral antifungal drugs. These drugs are often the first choice. ...
  • Medicated nail polish. Your health care provider may prescribe an antifungal nail polish called ciclopirox (Penlac). ...
  • Medicated nail cream.

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What is the number one cure for toenail fungus?

Lamisil Terbinafine Antifungal Cream treats fungus all over the body, including athlete's foot, making it the best overall choice.

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How do you cure toenail fungus fast?

You can try:
  1. Over the counter antifungal creams or ointments. File or cut off any white markings on your nails. Soak your nails in water and dry off before you put on the medicated cream.
  2. Special nail care. If you keep your nails trimmed, it can reduce the pressure and pain you feel.

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Can toenail fungus be completely cured?

Fungal nail infections typically don't go away on their own, and the best treatment is usually prescription antifungal pills taken by mouth. In severe cases, a healthcare professional might remove the nail completely. It can take several months to a year for the infection to go away.

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What kills toe fungus the fastest?

Medications
  • Oral antifungal drugs. These drugs are often the first choice. ...
  • Medicated nail polish. Your health care provider may prescribe an antifungal nail polish called ciclopirox (Penlac). ...
  • Medicated nail cream.

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What are the Best Treatments for Fungal Toenails - Seattle Podiatrist Larry Huppin

21 related questions found

Should I cut off toenail fungus?

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.

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How does Vicks cure toenail fungus?

Vicks VapoRub

A 2011 study found that Vicks VapoRub had a “positive clinical effect” in treating toenail fungus. To use, apply a small amount of Vicks VapoRub to the affected area at least once a day. Shop for Vicks VapoRub online.

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Does vinegar heal toenail fungus?

The antifungal properties also make vinegar soaks a good idea for people who have toenail fungus. Soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes daily in a vinegar bath until the infection subsides. You can increase the length of time in the soak gradually. It may take two to three weeks or longer to see improvement in symptoms.

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What's a good home remedy for toenail fungus?

Tea Tree Oil

It's a popular treatment for many conditions, including foot fungus. Research shows it works as well as clotrimazole, which is found in many OTC treatments.

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Is tea tree oil good for toenail fungus?

When used topically, tea tree oil is believed to be antibacterial. Tea tree oil is commonly used to treat acne, athlete's foot, lice, nail fungus and insect bites.

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Why can't they cure toenail fungus?

Toenails are made up of multiple layers stacked on top of each other. 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.

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How do you dissolve toenail fungus?

Topical antifungal medications often are effective in treating mild to moderate toenail fungus. Topical solutions may include medicated nail polishes or liquid medications. Penlac (ciclopirox), Kerydin (tavaborole), and Jublia (efinaconazole) are among the top prescription drugs for toenail fungus.

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Does Epsom salt help toenail fungus?

Soaking your feet and toes in a bath containing Epsom salts can help dry out fungal infections by killing fungal spores. Add 1–2 cups of Epsom salt to a footbath of warm water and soak for 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can add 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt to 2 cups of water and soak a cotton ball in it.

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Can you put apple cider vinegar directly on toenail fungus?

Despite its rather rancid scent, vinegar can prove to be quite useful in a wide variety of situations. The best type of vinegar to treat toenail fungus is apple cider vinegar, a very acidic and strong solution that destroys toenail fungus at the source.

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How does Listerine and vinegar cure toenail fungus?

How it works
  1. Find a tub that fits the length and depth of your feet. ...
  2. Fill the tub with Listerine along with two parts of warm water. ...
  3. Instead of water, you can also mix in equal portions of white vinegar. ...
  4. Place feet in the solution for 45 to 60 minutes at a time.

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How long does it take VapoRub to get rid of toenail fungus?

“Applying Vicks VapoRub to fungus-infected toenails can clear up the notoriously hard-to-treat condition. Michigan State University clinicians found that applying the product daily to the infected nail cleared the condition in 32 of 85 patients, though it took anywhere from 5 to 16 months…”

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How do you use tea tree oil for nail fungus?

Add five drops of tea tree oil to a half-ounce of carrier oil, mix them, stir into a bucket of warm water, and soak your feet for 20 minutes. Keep your nails neat and nicely trimmed during the healing process. Use clean nail clippers, scissors, or a nail file to remove any dead nails.

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How did I get toenail fungus?

Many people pick up the fungi when they have skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a fungal infection such as athlete's foot or ringworm on their hands. Another common way to get a fungal nail infection is by walking barefoot in a warm, moist area such as a pool deck or locker room.

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What happens if you have toenail fungus for too long?

A severe case of nail fungus can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails. And it may lead to other serious infections that spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.

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Is it OK to paint toenails with fungus?

Nail polish gives fungus an environment to thrive in. Non-medicated nail polish can be applied over antifungal nail polish. But it is best to avoid non-medicated nail polish entirely when you want your fungal infection to clear up. Non-medicated nail polish will make the antifungal treatment penetrate the nails slower.

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Does filing down a fungal nail help?

Prescription topical treatments.

Filing down the surface of the nail may enable them to penetrate more deeply into the nail or the nail bed. In studies, their cure rate averaged around 35%.

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Does baking soda help toenail fungus?

Baking soda.

In addition to treating the fungal infection, it can also help with neutralizing foot odor. To use baking soda correctly as a treatment for toenail fungus, start by mixing a half-cup of it—along with a half-cup of Epsom salt and a quarter-cup of hydrogen peroxide (3%)—in four cups of hot water.

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How long does it take for hydrogen peroxide to get rid of fungus?

Kill mold and mildew

To kill them without having to breathe in toxic bleach fumes, spray with undiluted 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and allow it to sit for 30 minutes. Rinse. The peroxide will kill the mold and mildew, but you may still need to remove the stains they left behind.

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How long does fungus live on nail clippers?

Fungal spores can live on all kinds of surfaces, including metal toenail clippers for months. When you cut your fungal nail with your clippers, you can easily transmit the fungi to your other toenails or reinfect yourself. In fact, the CDC recommends properly disinfecting all nail tools before every use.

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What is the best thing to soak your feet in for toenail fungus?

Mix a half-cup of baking soda, a half-cup of Epsom salt, and one-fourth cup of hydrogen peroxide (3%) in four cups of hot water before adding one-fourth cup of white vinegar. Soak for about ten minutes, and then wash with clean water and thoroughly dry your foot/feet.

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