How to Tell if You Have a Fungal Infection in Your Toenail?

Do you have a Fungal Infection in Your Toenail?

Fungal infections of the toenail are very common. Fungal infections that affect toenails affect between 10 to 12% of Americans.

A fungal infection in the toenail is caused by microscopic organisms, known as fungi, that wedge themselves in the tiny cracks around the toenail and around the cuticle. Since your feet are typically inside shoes, which are dark and damp, fungal spores can easily become a problem. Symptoms of fungal infections of the toenail are pretty consistent across the affected population.

The first noted symptom is typically a whitish, or yellowish, spot on the nail. This is only the beginning of the infection. The spot can be very small, and unless you pay attention to your feet, it may be easy to miss. Over time, this spot will grow and cover more and more of the toenail. Most people do not notice any pain or discomfort. Some people do not notice it simply because their nail is covered with nail polish.

Over time, the infection will cover the entire toenail. Some people have reported a dark spot, either where the infection originally started or around the edge of the toenail. This is normally only with severe cases though. Sometimes, the infection gets bad enough that the nail actually breaks away from the nail bed.

Other Changes In The Nail

There are a lot of changes that occur in a fungal infected nail. One of these changes is that the nail will become thicker and yellow. Sometimes, the nail flakes or crumbles when the disorder is at a point considered severe.

Only a doctor can determine whether your symptoms are nail fungus or a disorder that looks like nail fungus. There, he or she will be able to take a sample of your toenail and look at it under a microscope. A second portion may be sent out to a lab for more tests. Let your doctor know if you spend a lot of time barefoot in wet, public areas such as pools or locker rooms.

Talking to your Doctor

After your doctor and laboratory has been able to examine your toenail, you will have a chance to discuss what treatment would be best for your specific case. The type of fungus plays a huge role in what treatment is used to best eradicate it. Realize that the infection is not going to go away immediately. Toenail fungi can be extremely hard to get rid of.

While you may feel the need to run out and get an over the counter treatment, there are a lot of disorders that can mimic nail fungus. It is important to work with your doctor to ensure that the problem you are facing is a fungal infection and to come up with the best treatment.

Over the Counter Nail Fungus Treatments

Fungi prove to be the strongest strain of the microorganisms. Bacteria are much harder to kill than viruses. Dermatophytes, molds, and yeasts can burrow deep into your nail and shield themselves with keratin. What makes this difficult to treat is that powerful antimycotic medications are not always effective. Due to this, we question if any over-the-counter fungus treatment are worth the time and money.

Unfortunate facts show us that prescription and over-the-counter treatments do not completely help with curing nail fungus infections.

Amorolfine

Amorolfine is a topical drug proven to be effective in clinical trials. Amorolfine is sold without a prescription in only a few countries such as, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Also known by the name Loceryl, the treatment is applied as a nail polish on the nail.

It continues to penetrate into the nail after drying, continuously working. It needs reapplying once a week.

Amorolfine helps treat infection by breaking down the cell membrane of the fungus. This treatment only works on subungual onychomycosis. It does not treat proximal onychomycosis or white onychomycosis. Because of this, it is important to know what type of fungus you have.

Amorolfine has very few side effects, and with proper usage these very rarely occur. There have been reports of some burning after applying but that goes away shortly after applying. A 5 ml tube can cost around $100.00-$150.00. Although you cannot acquire amorolfine in the United States, online pharmacies are becoming more popular and you may eventually be able to obtain it through these.

There are a few over-the-counter anti-fungal treatments that don’t help kill off the nail fungus.

Lamisil is a tablet prescribed for onychomycosis that also comes in an over-the-counter topical cream. This medication has not proven an effective nail fungus treatment.

Lotrimin (also known as clotrimazole) is not effective for nail fungus but is very good at treating athlete’s foot and jock itch.

Tolnaftate (or Tinactin) does nothing for nail fungus but works extremely well for skin fungi.

Two papers, one from 1965 and the other from 2008, show that undecyclenic acid combined with cyanoacrylate and hydroquinone have positive effects. Even so, there have been no studies proving that undecyclenic acid works on its own.

Tea Tree Oil
has proven to have some positive effects against nail fungus. It is a natural fungicide and insect repellent. Applying a 100% concentration to the infected area has shown to have a 20% cure rate. While using Tea Tree Oil on the infected area, two thirds of the patients said the appearance of the nail fungus had improved.

Studies have shown that a Tea Tree Oil application two times a day with a 1% solution of clotrimazole was a more effective nail fungus solution.

Topical Products or Removing the Nail

The above topical products were applied to a nail before it had been taken off. There are times where removing the nail is necessary before improvement can occur. This can be done either mechanically or chemically. Removing the nail allows the medication to be applied directly to the infected area. If a doctor removes the nail, ask about any follow-up on your nail fungus treatments.

Even if you don’t want to go the way of surgery, you will still need to take an oral medication that can only be prescribed by your doctor. These will help cure the nail fungus.

Where Toenail Fungus Starts

Where Toenail Fungus Hides

The nail fungus likes to work its way under the nail where it’s moist and warm. The nail acts as a shield for the fungus, making it difficult to kill off. Also, since it is harder to clean under the nail, the fungus can easily re-grow after any treatment you undergo.

How does a Nail Fungus Grow?

A fungus is like a mushroom. It prefers living in the dark, spreading through spores and having roots that it grows from. The spores that spread the fungus do so in dark and damp places. The number one way of getting nail fungus is shoes. This is due to people not having more than one pair of shoes to alternate every other day. Shoes keep your feet in darkness, and due to sweat and humidity help fungi survive. With your body temperature and not allowing your shoes to air out or dry, it’s the perfect breeding ground for the nail fungus. Fungus also loves flip-flops because they can stay wet a lot of the time. This is why you should have more than one pair of shoes that you can alternate every day. This allows your foot protection to stay dry and not become the breeding ground for your feet’s worst enemy.

Remedies to Treat Nail Fungus

Ointments and solutions for nail fungus are the best first option, since anti-fungal medications having risky side effects associated with them. The most commonly used treatment is mixing Tea Tree Oil and Mineral Oil. You then soak the surrounding nail in the solution. These remedies are both an anti-fungal and an antiseptic. Treating fungus can take a while but will work if you keep up with it regularly. You must also keep up with it like oral antibiotics. Use it until it is fully gone and the fungus does not return.

Gyms Are a Breeding Ground for Nail Fungus Infections

The Danger of Gyms for Nail Fungus

People go to the gym to become healthier and build muscle. They want to lose weight, feel that adrenaline rush, and feel better about themselves. It rarely crosses anyone’s mind that the gym and public pool are a breeding ground for fungus and nail fungus infections to spread.

So, why are they the perfect place? Most gyms and public pools have a place to change. This place may be a dressing room, a locker room equipped with a shower, or an open place to rinse off after your work out. These places have tile floors to make cleanup easier. However, grout is the perfect place for fungus to breed.

When you walk barefoot over this grout, you are risking having the spores from other people’s fungal infections stick to your feet and slowly work their way up under your nails. It is terrible that one of the places that you go to take better care of yourself and to feel better about yourself can lead to you developing an infection, no matter how hard the gym works to keep the shower floors clean.

How To Prevent Toenail Fungal Infections

The place to start when you are trying to prevent toenail fungal infections is what you wear on your feet. Gym shoes that are older and worn can be a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria and fungus by themselves. This means that if you do get fungal spores on your feet, they are sure to breed in your shoes and become an out of control fungal infection in no time.

It is advisable, for the gym and in your everyday life, to have at least two pair of shoes. Never wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. This allows one pair to dry out between uses so that you are not breeding fungus that is just waiting to attack your feet. Either way, make sure that your feet stay dry. Wear clean, breathable, cotton socks so that moisture is wicked away.

If you still feel at risk, use an anti-fungal spray in your shoes between uses and allow them to dry completely before you put them back to help prevent contamination.

If you use the shower at your local gym, do not do so barefoot. Rubber flip-flops, shower shoes, or water shoes are a great way to ensure that you are not exposed. As with your other shoes, make sure that these shoes are completely dry before you put them back on. You may also want to spray them with anti-fungal spray between uses (after they dry) to ensure that any fungal spores that you pick up from the shower floor are eliminated before you wear them again. Another option is to place them in your clothes dryer and use high enough heat to kill the fungal spores.

What To Do In Case Of Infection

When you first notice any sign of infection, it is important to begin treatment. This means that you need to catch it when your toenail begins to change color, or looks different than it normally does. It is important to catch it before your nails become brittle or start to get thick.

If caught early, start soaking your toes in a vinegar solution twice daily for about 20 minutes. This solution should consist of 1 part vinegar to 1 part water. Continue this treatment until the affected toenails have cleared up.

Vinegar gets rid of the infection by changing the pH of the growing environment, which makes the nail uninhabitable to the fungus.

The fungus will then quit breeding, and when the existing spores die off, the fungus should be completely gone.

The choice between apple cider vinegar and white vinegar is up to you. Both are shown to work, so whichever you have on hand will work great.

Brittle Nail Disease – Onychorrhexis

Onychorrhexis, its Symptoms & Treatment

What is Onychorrhexis?

Onychorrhesis is a condition where fingernails and toenails break easily because they are weak.

Why is it?

Keratin is composed of protein, and as the nail grows the thickness is determined by your body. The thickness of your nails is genetically chosen and is already set at birth.

What Causes it?

A common cause is humidity around the base of the nail. If you soak your hands in water, take a long bath, do dishes for a prolonged period of time, and perform these tasks on a regular basis, you can develop weak nails. Some people notice that as they grow older their nails become weaker. They also become more prone to breaking. There are some diseases and conditions that cause nails to become more brittle and fragile:

Low levels of thyroid hormones
Reynaud’s Syndrome
Skin disorders
Poor diet

Signs Of Onychorrhexis

Parts of the nail flaking off
The nail breaking in places
The nail falling off

Basic Treatment

As a rule of thumb, if you have brittle nails, don’t spend a lot of time with your hands wet. Also be careful about the type of soap you use and only use mild hand soaps.

Right after washing, use a moisturizer that softens the skin or a healing moisturizer that softens and provides herbal or medicinal remedies. This acts as a barrier between the nail and water.

Preventative Measures for Brittle Nails

Wear gloves or protective covering when immersing hands or feet in water.
Do not participate in sports or activities that involve being submerged in water.
Avoid irritating chemicals.
Ensure that you are get enough vitamins and minerals in your diet.

Side Effects of Brittle Nails Treatment

The only possible side effect to the above treatment is an allergic reaction to specific moisturizers.

Living With a Nail Fungus Infection

How to Live with a Nail Fungus Infection

Note from the start that having a nail fungus infection does not single you out. In truth, it makes you one of 20% of people who are also affected by this disease. Even though it is visually unappealing, it is possible to live with and cure if you are willing to put in the effort to do so. Chances are, if you are reading this, you are probably already affected by nail fungus, and you are not alone. Here, we have composed some information to help you.

Nail fungus is considered a microorganism. Once you are exposed to it, it grows on or under your nail. It occurs in both fingernails and toenails. It does not discriminate by type of nail, race, creed, gender, or any other circumstance. It will happily grow anywhere that is accommodating to its strange taste in living environment. It prefers warm, damp, dark areas and the finger and toenails provide the perfect habitat. The biggest problem with nail fungus is that it can do a lot of harm. This is because it is not immediately noticeable. It starts as a discolored spot that is easy to overlook and easy to ignore. By the time the person realizes that it is a problem, it is already out of control and can be difficult to treat.

Typically, by the time the fungus is noticed, it has already worked its way under the nail and into the nail bed. Once it reaches the nail bed, it is harder to get to for treatment. Your goal is to get your healthy, beautiful nails back. This means that as soon as you notice the fungal problem, you need to start treating it immediately.

Avoiding Nail Fungus Infections

The best way to avoid nail fungus infections is to not get one at all. Unless you are equipped with the right information, it can be difficult to avoid. There are a lot of precautions you can take to ensure that you do not get a nail fungus infection.

Consider locations in your life that may carry the infection. Nail fungus prefers wet environments like public bathrooms, public pools, public showers, and places like this. When you do use these areas, make sure to wash your hands with antibacterial soap. If you must come into contact with these areas, like a public shower at the gym, wear something on your feet at all times. A great choice is flip flops or shower shoes.
Do not wear wet clothes. If you get wet in the rain, dry off and change clothes as soon as you get the chance. If you have been swimming, remove your bathing suit as soon as you can. If you have been working out and sweating, make sure to shower, put on dry clothes, and dry shoes and socks before leaving the gym. One of the main reasons that people contract nail fungus is that they do not change clothes, shoes and socks after a workout.
Keep your body healthy. Make sure to eat right and take supplements on a daily basis. If you have a disease like diabetes, make sure to keep your blood sugars under control because your body cannot fight off a fungal infection as well as someone with a healthy immune system.

The Best Nail Fungus Treatments

The Best Treatment for Nail Fungus

Our mission at ToeNailFungus.Center is to assist those suffering from nail fungus find relief. We have created this entire site for the purpose of education of nail fungus and the treatments available for this disorder. Here, you will find information on the causes, symptoms, treatments, and trends associated with nail fungus. After browsing this website, you will be a giant step closer to having fungus-free nails that are beautiful, healthy, and vibrant.

Treatment For Nail Fungus

This website is the #1 resource for information that pertains to nail fungus. We take a lot of pride in the effort we have put forth to provide you the most up-to-date information on the best Nail Fungus Treatments available today.

As you can imagine, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of treatments available for treating nail fungus. As we were searching for the various treatments for nail fungus, we took into account a lot of factors. Our top priority is to provide treatment options that meet the following nine criteria.

Effectiveness
Speedy results
Quality of ingredients
Product safety
Excellent customer service of the company
Excellent Reorder rate
Excellent Return policy
Excellent success rate of the product
Excellent Customer feedback

What Nail Fungus Really Is

Nail fungus, medically known as onychomycosis, is really an infection under the nail, inside the nail bed. It can occur in both fingernails and toenails. Because of the infection, the nail appears dark, yellow, and thickened, sometimes to the point where it is difficult to cut. The top of the nail may appear crumpled.

The fungus that causes this disorder breeds in warm, dark, damp places, just like any other fungus. The main reason this fungus occurs on the feet is because shoes make the perfect breeding ground for it.

At first, the fungus appears as a white or yellow spot on the nail. Over time, it begins to spread and make its way along the nail bed to the cuticle area. Once it spreads into the nail bed, it can be very difficult to get rid of.

The affected area of the nail may begin to crumble or the edges may become flaky. This can make you very self-conscious and make you embarrassed to go barefoot or wear sandals, which is unfortunate. One of the main treatments is to avoid wearing constrictive shoes by wearing open-toed shoes and sandals whenever possible.

What Causes Nail Fungus?

Nail fungus is more common the older we get. This is due to lower blood circulation. Nails naturally get thicker as you age. This makes it more difficult to manage the fungus growing under nails and makes you an easier target for nail fungus. If you are immune compromised, it can lead to the increase of nail fungus and make it more difficult for your body to fight off the infection.

Any type of damage to the nail can cause the nail to be more susceptible to developing this type of fungal infection. Damage such as hitting your nail on something or stubbing your toe can make a fungal infection appear extremely fast. It can also allow the infection to spread to the nail bed a lot easier.

Common Nail Fungus Locations

The most common location for nail fungus is on your toes. This is because your feet spend a lot of time in the dark, damp environment of your shoes. This is especially true if you have spent any time barefoot in a public shower, locker room, or swimming pool, basically anywhere a lot of barefoot people frequent.

People who spend a lot of time with their hands in water or gloves develop fungus under their fingernails a lot easier than those who keep their hands dry.

Also, those who have their nails done on a regular basis have a higher incidence of fingernail fungus. This is because many nail salons do not clean their equipment between uses.

Always ensure that the nail salon you go to sanitizes their equipment between customers so that you are not exposed to nail fungus from other people. This also applies if you have your toenails manicured at a salon.

Treatment For Nail Fungus

Nail fungus can be very hard to treat, especially if it has been around for a while. The human nail grows very slowly. Nail fungus lasts as long as it takes for the nail to grow out. If left untreated, it can last for many nail growth cycles.

If the infection is caught early, it can be treated a lot more easily and more effectively. Doctors tend to prescribe very strong medication. Most of this medication is taken by mouth and is extremely strong. Unfortunately, medications like Lamisil, Sporanox, and many others can have undesirable effects on the liver, sometimes even toxic effects.

To make matters worse, they have to be used for a long time before you see any result from using them. Also, those who have a heart condition or other disorders cannot take these medications because they could cause the preexisting condition to become out of control, or they may not mix well with the medications that are currently being taken. Taking these medications does not mean that you will have a healthy nail right after you finish taking the drug. Most of the time, it takes over 9 months for a healthy nail to replace one that is affected by a fungal infection.

Are Prescriptions Necessary?

If a fungal infection is caught early in the process, a doctor may prescribe a paint-on nail lacquer that has anti-fungal effects. This treatment paints on like nail polish and is known as ciclopirox or Penlac. For a great deal of people this does work and clears the infection up pretty quickly. Among these people, are typical complaints that it causes irritation to the skin around the nail, or that it does not get deep enough into the nail to get rid of the fungal infection completely.

Because of the disadvantages associated with breaking through the nail to take care of the infection, your doctor may use a machine that looks similar to a dremel to grind the nail and make it thinner so the lacquer will penetrate the nail and take care of the infection.

Surgical Remedy For Nail Fungus

Some patients may face surgical removal of the nail. This is especially true if the infection is deep in the nail, or if it is causing the patient a lot of pain. Many doctors believe that the best approach to treating a severe infection is to remove the entire nail and allow a new nail to grow in its place.

Not only is the surgery painful, but the nail takes a long time to grow back and the area where the nail was removed from can be very sensitive until it does grow back.

Preventing Nail Fungus

The best way to prevent nail fungus is to avoid it and the things that cause it. Unfortunately, this is not always possible.

Learn how nail fungus breeds. All fungus breeds in dark, damp places. Keep your hands and feet dry. Make sure that there is some point during the day when your feet are outside of your shoes and socks, especially when at home. Expose your feet to light and clean, fresh air as much as possible.
- Always have an extra pair of shoes and socks available. If your shoes and socks get wet, either from sweat or an external source, change as soon as possible.
- Wear shoes that are loose enough that your feet get air.
- Do not go barefoot in public places. Wear some form of protection on your feet if you are in public, wet places like pools, locker rooms, or showers.
- Ensure that your nails are properly trimmed. Longer nails can allow fungus to get under the nail.
- Take your own tools to a manicure or pedicure. While it might seem strange, or make you feel as though you are going to receive dirty looks, it ensures that the tools used on you are clean and sterile. If you cannot do this, make sure those who serve you change their equipment with fresh, sterilized equipment.
  - Another option is to check that the salon practices good hygiene and uses an autoclave to sterilize its equipment.
    This is a special machine guaranteed to clean materials to a medical quality.
  - It is your body, and you are a paying customer. Do not be afraid to ask the nail technician to clean the wash tub with bleach and water before you put your feet into it.

Nail Fungus Risk Factors

Being older
People who sweat a lot — especially true if your hands and feet sweat a great deal.
Those who have skin conditions
Those who wear tight shoes
People who do not take their shoes off
Those who walk around in public showers, locker rooms, and public pools barefoot
People who have athlete’s foot
Persons with decreased circulation
Immune-compromised persons
Diabetics

When To Get Treatment For Nail Fungus

Just like with any other medical condition, seek medical treatment as soon as you notice a problem. This means as soon as you feel any difference in the way your nail feels or looks. As soon as you see discoloration, you should seek treatment.

If at any time you notice that your nail is becoming brown or appears to be turning black,
seek medical advice right away.

Other Indications To Seek Medical Treatment

The nail pulling away from the nail bed
Yellowish, brown, grey, or black nails
What appears to be fragments under the nail
The nail has a foul odor.
The nail and area around it hurts.

There are so many excellent treatment options out there. Some work very slowly and others, have been know to be totally ineffective. the key to eradicating fungal infections quickly is to find an effective solution. As well as all the useful tips we have mentioned, such as walking around without socks and shoes on, allowing your feet to breathe, we suggest finding a treatment that contains clinically proven ingredients such as undecylenic acid or tea tree. We have also seen many treatments suggesting that you can use an emery board to scratch the surface of the infected nail prior to applying the treatment, which allows the ingredients to be absorbed more efficiently, rendering speedier results.

Common Symptoms and Solutions to Nail Fungus

Nail Fungus: Common Symptoms and Solutions

Many people are affected by nail fungus. While not painful in most cases, it can be embarrassing and cause affected people to hide their nails. This is especially true when it comes to toenails since they are easy to hide in socks and shoes. This is why more people seek a physician more often for fingernail fungus than they do for toenail fungus.

Unfortunately, the common solution of hiding your toes in your socks and shoes leads to the spread and worsening of the fungal infection. There are a lot of treatments offered by various companies. However, some of them do not work, while others make the problem worse. Some people suffer from poor health, which can lead to chronic infection. This is difficult to fight, especially after prolonged treatment. The fungus can become immune to the product they are using before they can successfully clear up the infection.

Causes of Nail Fungus

Each and every day, we cross the path of microbes, microorganisms and bacteria. Encountering these type of microscopic creatures is a never-ending fact of life. Unfortunately, some of these are nail fungus spores. Most of these are washed away and are harmless. But sometimes, they manage to get under your nails where they become a problem.

When a fungi spore enter a warm, dark, moist place they can make a home. Commonly, underneath your nails becomes such a home since in other places they are washed away easily. But under your nails fungi can grow and reproduce. The nail is a great place because it provides a great shield from the world around it. When they begin to grow, they cause a nasty look of yellowing and cause the nail to become thick. This is the appearance commonly associated with nail fungus.

As the nail fungus gets worse, other symptoms begin to develop. The nail begins to look different and is eventually disfigured. At some point, it may begin crumbling or flaking away. A fungal infection this severe typically occurs in toenails since they are a better breeding ground than fingernails because people spend so much time in shoes.

How to Treat Nail Fungus Infection

There are a lot of natural remedies on the market, as well as a ton of home remedies. Home remedies are a preferable first treatment before you are prescribed the more aggressive, oral antifungal medications. This is because antifungal medications taken orally pose serious risks to your liver. Here are some of the most recommended suggestions for treating nail fungus:

Tea Tree Oil – Tea Tree Oil is a natural essential oil. You can purchase it at most health food stores. This treatment involves rubbing the oil into the nail and the skin at least three times per day. The antifungal properties eventually kill the nail fungus.
Good Nail Hygiene – It is a good idea to practice correct nail. Trim them right at the edge of the toe. Always use a file to clean out from under your nails. Always make sure that no dirt can permanently lodge itself under the nail. Make sure your feet stay dry. If you have been sweating a lot, change your socks, and if your shoes are damp, change them too. Avoid wearing closed-toed shoes as much as possible.

Vinegar – Soak your toes in vinegar and water on a regular basis and dry them thoroughly to increase the pH under your nails. This makes the environment unfit for fungal spores to live in.

If you are affected by nail fungus and you have tried the solutions or others we mentioned here on this website, and nothing has worked, consult your physician. If you have not had any response from over-the-counter treatments or natural remedies, you may need to try a prescription treatment.

Make sure to tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking, both prescription and herbal. Let them know what treatments you have tried in regard to your fungal infection. Be sure to maintain proper finger and toe nail hygiene during treatment. This will increase your body’s response to treatment and help the healing process. It will also prevent the fungus from spreading to other toenails.

There are many solutions available that will treat the problem. You can search the internet for various alternatives before you commit to a treatment: natural, herbal, or oral antifungal medications. This is especially true if the person with the infection is a child. Perhaps the most important aspect to consider is the purity and potency of the ingredients used within a formula. One should consider if such ingredients have been clinically proven for effective eradication of fungal infections – these could include ingredients such as undecylenic acid, tolnaftate or tea tree oil.

Prescription Drugs and Curing Toenail Fungus

Using Drugs to Cure Toenail Fungus

With advancements in modern medicine, curing toenail fungus has become become a regular occurrence. Toenail fungal infections can spread really easily, both from nail to nail and from person to person. This is why treating it as early as possible is a great concern.

What Does a Toenail Infection Look Like?

The most common, and first symptom is a discolored nail. The color of the nail is typically white or yellowish. After the infection reaches the nail bed, it can easily turn dark yellow and develop brown spots. The nail becomes thick and brittle as the fungus reaches further into the nail or into the nail bed. This is because the fungus’s sole goal is to spread as fast as possible to keep itself alive.

A nail fungus infection begins when people are exposed to the spores of the fungus. This is easier than you may think. All it takes is being barefoot, especially in areas that are dirty or used by a lot of barefoot people. This can happen fairly easily if your shoes are dirty or damaged, especially if you have sweaty feet or live in a humid area.

Nails can easily become discolored if you have any damage to the nail, especially if it rubs on a shoe or if you have a skin condition. Always see your doctor whenever you have any discoloration of your nail. This lets you work with your doctor to come up with the best possible treatment for you and your specific needs, given your prior health history.

Topical Medications

A frequently prescribed medication for a toenail fungus infection is Penlac, also known as ciclopirox. This approach uses paint-on nail polish that has to be applied to the nail once or twice daily. Over time, it kills the fungal infection. Typically, it takes a few months to completely kill off the infection.

Side Effects

This medication has been known to cause irritation and itching in the skin surrounding the nail.

Oral Anti-fungal Medications

There are many commonly prescribed oral medications for getting rid of toenail fungus. These medications are Lamisil, Sporanox, and Itraconazole. These drugs typically take at least 12 weeks to completely kill a fungal infection. After this, it can take up to 9 months to regrow a healthy toenail.

All of the oral medications that can be prescribed pose risks of side effects. If at any time during your treatment you have abdominal pain, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or anything else that is unlike your typical function, stop taking the medication and call your doctor immediately.

These prescriptions are not advised for people who have a history of liver or heart problems. Let your doctor know if you have a history, or if you have a family history of these problems.

Modern medicine has made it easier to cure toenail fungus and has provided a great deal of anti-fungal medications. Treating this disorder is of really high concern, especially since it can spread so easily.

Nail Fungus Treatment Questions

Nail Fungus Treatments

Nail fungus is a problem that affects people on a global scale. A lot of people don’t understand how nail fungus is contracted and how to prevent themselves from getting nail fungus infections.

There are eight main questions below, answered so that you can better understand what nail fungus infections are and what causes them.

What Is a Nail Fungus Infection?

A nail fungus infection is characterized by dermaphytes. Dermaphytes are microscopic organisms and a form of fungus. They do not require light to grow. They are spores that cause this type of infection, which cause the nails to be thick and yellow.

Why Is the Nail Such a Perfect Place for Fungal Organisms to Live?

Fungus prefers areas where it is dark, damp, and warm. Socks and shoes provide the perfect place for these organisms to live because they fit these criteria.

Is Everyone at Risk for Developing Nail Fungus?

Yes, everyone can develop nail fungus. The older you are, the more likely it is for you to suffer from nail fungus infections.

Is It Contagious?

Nail fungus infections are contagious. It is more likely for a person to contract a nail fungus infection if they have damaged nails or skin. A great place for it to be contracted is a public area such as pools, locker rooms, and other public areas that are damp, warm and people are barefoot regularly.

Are Fingernails or Toenails Affected More Often?

While fingernails can contract nail fungus, toenails are more likely to contract the infection. This is because it is more likely for toenails to develop the infection. This is because they are enclosed in shoes and socks, and shoes are a dark, damp environment.

Are Fungal Infections Dangerous?

Nail fungus infections are not dangerous by themselves. However, the infection can become very serious if it is not treated. The disease itself can be dangerous if the patient has other medical problems that make nail fungus infections easier to develop.

Can I Still Wear Nail Polish?

No, it is recommended, while you are undergoing treatment for nail fungus, not to use nail polish of any kind. Your nails need to breathe and nail polish creates a barrier between your nail and the air around it. It also seals in humidity which makes the nail fungus more likely to spread.

Will Nail Fungus Go Away By Itself?

Nail fungus will not go away on its own. However, the sooner you are able to determine the infection is present, the easier it is for you to get treatment. The longer the fungal infection is allowed to go, the more likely it is that the infection will get worse and the less likely you will be able to use over the counter treatments to get rid of it.