Treating Toenail Fungus: The Best Solutions for Healthy Nails

Toenail fungus is a common issue that can cause nails to become discolored, thickened, and brittle. It is caused by a variety of fungi, including dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds. Fortunately, there are several treatments available to help get rid of the infection and restore the health of your nails. The most common treatment for toenail fungus is antifungal medications.

These drugs are usually the first choice for treating the infection, as they can help a new nail grow without infection, slowly replacing the infected part. This type of medication is usually taken every day for 6 to 12 weeks. Another option is to apply oregano oil to the affected nail twice daily with a cotton swab. Some people use oregano oil and tea tree oil together for added effectiveness.

You can also buy antifungal creams, gels, and nail polishes in stores and online without a prescription. These products may work to treat early superficial fungal infections because they remove fungus from the surface of the nail. Filing the surface of the nail may allow them to penetrate deeper into the nail or nail bed. Prescription oral antifungals, such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or fluconazole (Diflucan), are traditionally used to treat toenail fungus. Effective products include efinaconazole (Jublia), tavaborol (Kerydin), and ciclopirox (Penlac).

They all require daily applications, and it may take up to a year to see a noticeable improvement. If you stop taking the medication too soon, the infection may come back. Some people also rely on home remedies, such as menthol cream, tea tree oil, mouthwash, or snake root extract. Knowing the specific cause of foot fungus can help identify the best treatment for toenail fungus. Soaking your feet in an all-natural homeopathic blend may be beneficial in reducing or eliminating toenail fungus.

Home remedies may take longer to get rid of toenail fungus than prescription topical medications or oral systemic antifungals. Although studies show conflicting results on home remedies, some people find them effective. For example, camphor and eucalyptus oil are active ingredients in cough suppressants that can help treat toenail fungus. Tea tree oil has antifungal properties and can be a safe and effective treatment for nail fungus. Another study found that ozonized sunflower oil was more effective in treating toenail fungus than prescription topical antifungal ketoconazole (Xolegel).If natural remedies don't work, there are other effective treatments available at the local pharmacy.

In a study, ozonized oil was found to be an effective home remedy for toenail fungus caused by certain strains. Men are known to get fungal toenail infections more than women, as are people with weakened immune systems, people with diabetes, circulation problems, and older adults. Only a laboratory test with a scraping of the toenail can show with certainty that fungi are responsible for the distortion of the nails. If you have persistent toenail fungus or are in pain, you may need to schedule an appointment with a specialist. Misdiagnosing toenail fungus can cost you time and money when trying over-the-counter products that don't work.

The Best Solutions for Treating Toenail Fungus

As an expert in SEO optimization I recommend using antifungal medications as your first choice when treating toenail fungus.

These drugs can help a new nail grow without infection and slowly replace the infected part when taken every day for 6-12 weeks. You can also apply oregano oil, tea tree oil or other antifungal creams/gels/nail polishes available over-the-counter without a prescription. Filing the surface of the nail may allow them to penetrate deeper into the nail or nail bed. Prescription oral antifungals such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or fluconazole (Diflucan) are also effective treatments for this condition. Other products include efinaconazole (Jublia), tavaborol (Kerydin), and ciclopirox (Penlac). However, it may take up to a year before you see any noticeable improvement.

Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus

Home remedies such as menthol cream, tea tree oil, mouthwash or snake root extract may also be used as an alternative treatment for this condition.

Soaking your feet in an all-natural homeopathic blend may be beneficial in reducing or eliminating toenail fungus. Camphor and eucalyptus oil are active ingredients in cough suppressants that can help treat this condition while tea tree oil has antifungal properties which make it an effective treatment for nail fungus.

When To See A Specialist

If natural remedies don't work or if you have persistent pain due to your condition then it's best to schedule an appointment with a specialist who can diagnose your condition accurately through laboratory tests.

Conclusion

Toenail fungus is a common problem that can cause nails to become discolored, thickened and brittle but fortunately there are several treatments available that can help get rid of this infection and restore your nails' health. Antifungal medications are usually the first choice when treating this condition but oregano oil, tea tree oil and other antifungal creams/gels/nail polishes available over-the-counter without a prescription can also be used. Prescription oral antifungals such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or fluconazole (Diflucan) are also effective treatments while home remedies such as menthol cream, tea tree oil, mouthwash or snake root extract may be used as an alternative treatment. If natural remedies don't work then it's best to schedule an appointment with a specialist who can diagnose your condition accurately through laboratory tests.