Need to cure onychomycosis?
Onychomycosis affects the hard material (keratin) that makes up your nails. It’s also known as a fungal nail infection.
The condition can affect all or part of your nails, including the nail bed, nail plate and the root of the nail.
Treatment is not always necessary for mild cases of onychomycosis. However, if your symptoms are causing you distress, you can cure onychomycosis in the following ways:
1. Antifungal tablets
Oral antifungal medications, such as terbinafine and itraconazole, reach your nail through your bloodstream. To cure onychomycosis, you may have to take the tablets for several months. If you stop taking the tablets too early, your infection may return.
Oral antifungal side effects include headaches, itching, nausea and diarrhea.
2. Antifungal nail paint
Antifungal nail paint is painted onto the infected toenails. It works its way through your nails until it reaches the source of the infection. To cure onychomycosis in this way, you may have to use the paint for up to 12 months.
In some cases, it can be difficult for the paint to reach all of the infection. As a result, the treatment may not be as effective as oral medication. However, it is a viable option if you are unable to tolerate the side effects of oral antifungal medications.
3. Chemical nail removal
Chemical nail removal painlessly removes your infected nail plates with the aid of a paste containing 40% urea. It allows you to avoid taking oral antifungal tablets for several months.
You will need to apply the paste to the affected nails, before covering them and leaving them overnight. Wash the paste off in the morning and repeat the process each night. To make the most of this treatment option, you will usually need to apply the paste every day for at least two weeks.
4. Surgery
Surgical nail removal involves the removal of the infected nail. Your doctor will administer a local anesthetic to prevent you from feeling any pain. He or she will then loosen the skin around your toenail before separating the nail from your skin.
Following surgery, your doctor will apply an antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover it with a dressing. While a brand new nail will grow in the place of your old nail, it could take around 12 months for your nail to completely grow back.
You should only undergo nail surgery if you have exhausted all other treatment options.
5. Laser treatment
Laser treatment uses high doses of light energy, killing the fungus instantaneously. As your nail grows out over the course of six to 12 months, you will begin to see a clear nail.
Research shows that laser treatment is a safe and effective procedure. Many studies report extremely high success rates after just three months of treatment.
You must follow the aftercare instructions provided by your health care practitioner. Reinfection is always a possibility.
Maintaining good foot hygiene and wearing well-fitting shoes improve your chances of staying fungus-free for life.
