The internet is choked with toenail fungus remedies. But which ones actually work?
Toenail fungus or onychomycosis is an infection that usually occurs beneath the surface of the nails. An infected nail could develop a foul smell and change color to a darker hue. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), fungal infections are common in adults.
Today, onychomycosis affects about 35 million people in the United States alone. Fortunately, you can fight the infection using the following proven remedies:
Oral Medications
Doctors use various oral medications to treat toenail fungal infections. Examples of such medications include ketoconazole, itraconazole, and terbinafine. Although these medications are quite effective in treating onychomycosis, they need time.
For example, a patient has to be on terbinafine for between eight to 12 weeks for the drug to work. People taking oral drugs may experience side effects such as:
• Vomiting
• Skin rash
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Nausea
Topical Medications
Topical medications come in gels, liquids, lotions, creams, and lacquers. Patients apply such medications to infected nails. But, they may be unable to penetrate and clear toenail fungi hiding deep underneath nails. But, researchers and scientists have come up with effective topical drugs in the form of nail lacquers.
A lacquer usually consists of an antifungal agent, volatile solvent, film forming lacquer vehicle, and a penetration enhancer. Antifungal nail lacquers that you could use include ciclopirox and amorolfine. According to the National Institutes of Health, topical applications may not be as effective as oral medications.
Surgical Removal of an Infected Nail
In some cases, it may be necessary to remove infected nails surgically. Only a well-trained healthcare professional like a podiatrist should carry out surgical nail removal.
Your physician/podiatrist could partially remove an infected nail in a process called debridement. Or, a podiatrist could fully remove an infected nail (avulsion). If you want to avoid fungal infections in the future, your doctor will apply a chemical to the cuticle area to destroy the nail matrix. This ensures your nail will never grow again.
Non-Surgical Nail Removal
After examination of your infected nails, your podiatrist could recommend non surgical nail removal.
This involves the application of an ointment onto an infected nail to soften and dissolve it. After about seven to 10 days, your doctor will remove it by cutting or picking it up from the nail bed.
Unlike surgical nail removal, this procedure is painless. It only gets rid of the diseased nail part while the healthy part remains. It is advisable to keep an exposed nail area dry for about two weeks to give it time to heal. A new nail will grow back although this could take anywhere from six to 18 months.
Laser Treatment
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of lasers to treat toenail fungus. The Wall Street Journal reported that lasers are less risky than oral medications. Lasers avoid health complications such as liver damage. Laser treatments last anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. You may need up to four follow up sessions depending on the severity of the toenail fungus infection.
The Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association found that 85% of laser patients experience new nail growth, without fungal infection.
Overall, onychomycosis can cause discomfort and pain in the toes making it hard to wear closed shoes. Toenail fungus remedies that work include:
• Popical medications
• Oral drugs
• Surgical nail removal
• Laser treatment
• Non surgical nail removal
