Toenail fungus usually is caused by a microscopic organism called dermatophyte fungus. Published 2018 Jul 24. doi:10.3390/jof4030087, The 7 Best Toenail Fungus Treatments of 2021, Ⓒ 2021 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved. Maybe it doesn't hurt, and the yellow, thick nails don't bother you. “The most common presentation of toenail fungus is a white/yellow discoloration of the nail that is thick and filled with yellow/white keratin debris. Prescription orals and topicals are the most effective way to treat toenail fungus, but there are products over-the-counter that can also address mild fungal infections. Tea tree oil works to soothe the skin while peppermint balances the body’s natural oils. If you’re looking for an all-natural route to treat toenail fungus, then this foot soak could be for you. Because nail fungus (see the symptoms here) is a very common reason for toenail removal, look at these different options for how to safely and effectively treat toenail fungus. ", Toenail fungus is a common fungal condition that often starts after a rash on the foot spreads to the nails. Winston, J. If you’re looking for a treatment to target fungal growth under the nails, we recommend Fungi Nail Antifungal Ointment. Wear ones that breathe and don't fit too tight. Topical antifungal drug products. Oral medication: prescription pills are available which can address nail fungus… Soak your nails in water and dry off before you put on the medicated cream. Toenail fungus may start out as a small annoyance, but it can spread and progress into something much more serious. Fungal nail infections. How Do I Know Whether It’s A Fungal Nail Infection or Something Else? For this type of treatment, CO2 lasers or yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) lasers with wavelengths of 870 nm, 930 nm, or 1320 nm are used to increase the localized temperature. Nail removal. If you’re looking for something stronger to treat your infection, Terbinafine is also available as a prescription oral medication–a recommended route for more severe toenail fungus. Laser treatment. Wear sweat-absorbing socks or change your socks throughout the day. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. File or cut off any white markings on your nails. J Fungi (Basel). You might want to try one of them first if the infection doesn't look bad. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 1996. Arishine is made of natural ingredients and does not conduct animal testing. For over 10 years, Jennifer Nied  has reviewed products, interviewed experts, scrutinized ingredients, and pored over research studies and claims, to help readers like you understand what works for your specific conditions. If the toenails are thick, yellowed, and left untreated for a long time, that could indicate you need either a prescription-strength product or to seek help from a board-certified dermatologist. Moisturize your nails after washing. Fungal nail infections are common, especially among older adults. These ingredients soothe the skin while addressing foot and toenail fungus. Some home remedies and natural treatments may help treat toenail fungus, such … A longstanding rumor among those who suffer from fungus-ridden feet contends that over-the-counter Vicks VapoRub has a hidden podiatric power: it allegedly cures toenail fungus. This illness often makes you more likely to have other problems from minor foot issues. Ariella Nail Fungus Treatment for Toenail and Fingernail, Maximum Strength Antifungal Nail Treatment Hydrates, Renews Yellow, Cracked and Split Nails 4.3 out of 5 stars 4,538 $25.99 If that's the case, try a product that goes onto your nail. But the company also says that more severe infections can take up to a year to heal because of how long it takes for nails to grow. Prescription medications. When used in the treatment of onychomycosis, the laser is directed so that the heat will penetrate through the toenail to the nail bed where the fungus is present. (You can and should also ask your doctor about any preferred or ideal treatments, and be sure to involve him or her whenever undertaking self-treatment … If topical treatment isn’t doing the trick, your doctor may prescribe one of … Toenail Fungus Treatment Complications. If you notice white markings on the surfaces of the nails, file them off, soak your nails in water, dry them, and apply the medicated cream or lotion. Then the smaller applicator works to get around the nail cuticles and underneath the nail. Disinfect your nail clippers after each use. Nail fungus — known by the scientific name of onychomycosis — is a fungal infection of the nail. Laser treatment isn’t covered by insurance, though, and it can cost a lot. Tschen, E. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, February 2013. They also come with side effects like nausea, vomiting, and headaches. “If left untreated over time more and more of the nails gets taken over by the thick yellow white debris of the fungus making pedicures unmanageable,” says Orit Markowitz, MD, founder and CEO of OptiSkin treatment center in New York City. A toenail fungus treatment provides a simple, convenient way for people to address fungal infections of the toenail. To treat the same, there is a home remedy for toenail fungus; bleach. Additional reporting for this story by Jennifer Nied. Benefits of the soak also include healing cracked feet and soothing aches. You might have success getting your toenails zapped with targeted lasers. While it's coming back, your doctor will likely give you a cream or other treatment to put on your nail bed to keep fungus away. They may also take a piece of your nail and send it to the lab to make sure it’s really a fungus and to find out what type it is. Type: Toenail fungus treatments can come in a variety of forms, but oral, topical, and homeopathic medications are the most commonly used for treating toenail fungus. 2018;4(3):87. Laser devices emit pulses of energy that produce heat. Here are a few of the best over-the-counter toenail fungus treatments on the market. The Global Nail Fungus Organization was founded with one goal: Fight Nail Fungus. “The compound interferes with the synthesis of the fungal cell membrane,” Dr. Lipner says, which essentially kills the fungus. Throughout her career, Danielle has interviewed a variety of experts in the medical and health fields while reviewing dozens of products. For best results, apply twice a day to clean, dry feet. © 2005 - 2021 WebMD LLC. It works by killing the fungus and preventing its growth. If the infection is deep and you’ve had it for a while, your doctor may want to remove all or part of your nail. Better Nail - Maximum Strength 25% Solution for Anti Fungal Nail Support | Nail Restoring Solution fo… 3. But if left untreated, the fungus can grow severe by hardening the nails and spreading to other toes.. Diagnosing the fungal infection early is key to make treatments effective. ", Best System: Probelle 2-Step Fungal Nail Renewal System at Amazon, "Combines approaches for a twice-daily, two-step system. Natural fungal nail gel treatment. There are a number of ways to take care of it, including: Nonprescription options. This helps the product penetrate underneath the nail bed to address the fungus. Ask about antifungal pills. About Onychomycosis, Toenail Fungal infections of the toenails, causing thickening, roughness, and splitting, often caused by Trichophyton rubrum or T. mentagrophytes, Candida, and occasionally molds. The Remedy Soap specifically addresses fungal infections by combining all-natural ingredients: tea tree oil, aloe, peppermint, and eucalyptus. For optimal results, apply the solution on the cuticles and skin surrounding the nail. ", American Podiatric Medical Association: "Toenail Fungus. The Probelle treatment system doesn’t just use a unique combination of washes, polishes, and gels to achieve results, it also harnesses the benefits of coconut oil lauric esters.