How To Cure Toe Nail Fungus

There is a broad range of options with varying success rates

In that location is a broad range of options with varying success rates

Other than keeping your toenails trimmed and maybe painted, you lot may not pay much attending to them — unless a problem develops. Healthy toenails are pinkish, shiny and smooth, but a fungal infection can crusade them to become discolored, thick, brittle and fifty-fifty painful.

Toenail fungal infection, known as onychomycosis, is a common but challenging condition; toenail fungus treatments include a broad range of options with varying success rates.

Causes of toenail mucus

Fungal blast infections are usually caused by fungi called dermatophytes that infect the peel beneath the nail; yeast is another common culprit. Toenails are particularly vulnerable to infection when your bare feet contact damp surfaces such as showers, swimming pools and locker rooms. If y'all take athlete's human foot, the infection can spread to the nails.

Wearing closed shoes such as athletic shoes for extended periods as well can contribute to infection if your shoes and/or socks are clammy from perspiration or rut. Moreover, if your shoes fit snugly enough to put pressure on your toes, they can damage the boom bed, making it more susceptible to infection.

People with chronic diseases, such as diabetes or circulatory problems, besides may be more prone to toenail infections.

Symptoms of toenail mucus

Toenail fungus symptoms tin develop slowly over fourth dimension and may get unnoticed at offset. Symptoms can include:

Yellowish discoloration at the top of the smash
Darkening or clouding of nails
White spots on nails
Nail thickening
Distorted nail shape
Brittle or crumbling nails
A lack of shine
Pain in the tips of toes
Foul aroma
Blast separates from the nail bed

"If your symptoms are astringent or cause hurting, or your toenail turns chocolate-brown or black, it'due south best to make an appointment with your primary intendance doctor or podiatrist instead of trying to treat it yourself," says Stacie Ly, Dr., an internal medicine physician at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Carlsbad.

Toenail mucus treatments

Toenail fungus infections oft require diligent treatment to exist successful. Early-stage toenail fungus may respond to home treatments, such as those listed beneath. Apply the treatment to the affected nail several times daily; you may need to treat for vi months or more to clear the infection.

Tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil: Both oils take antifungal properties, and studies plant they performed besides as some over-the-counter and prescription topical antifungal treatments.
Ozonized sunflower oil: A Brazilian report plant that sunflower oil worked to treat toenail fungus infection caused by yeast.
Blistering soda: Researchers found that baking soda prevented fungal growth in 79 percentage of the specimens tested. Apply a paste of baking soda and water direct to the affected nail and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.
Vicks VapoRub: A very small-scale study constitute that this mentholated ointment had a positive effect on toenail fungus.
Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide as well are popular dwelling house remedies for toenail fungus, but take not been shown to be effective in clinical studies.

Over-the-counter treatments for toenail fungus include creams, ointments, sprays and liquids. Ask your pharmacist for a recommendation or look for these ingredients, and follow the directions carefully:

Tolnaftate
Clotrimazole
Terbinafine (brand name: Lamisil)

When to see a dr. for toenail mucus

If your symptoms do not get improve with home treatment, make an appointment with your primary care dr. or a podiatrist. They may recommend a prescription-forcefulness topical medication, or an oral anti-fungal pill that you accept for 2 or three months. Oral handling is ordinarily more than constructive but may interact with other medications. Also, oral treatment can affect the liver, so you may need to take liver function tests while taking the medication.

Toenail fungus laser handling can temporarily better the nail but has a lower cure rate than oral medication.

In severe cases that do not respond to treatment, the infected nail may exist surgically removed in order to treat the nail bed; a healthy nail can so grow back. A chronically infected and painful nail may be permanently removed.

Unfortunately, toenail fungus tin be stubborn — the recurrence rate can be as high every bit 40 per centum.

"If your toenail mucus keeps coming back despite taking preventive measures, come across your master intendance doctor or podiatrist," says Dr. Ly. "Something else may be causing it, or you may demand a different arroyo. Your doctor tin get to the root of the problem and make up one's mind the best course of action."

Preventing toenail fungus

Follow these guidelines to help go on your toenails healthy:

Launder your anxiety with soap and water and dry them thoroughly later pond.
Clothing shower shoes in locker rooms and public areas.
Wear shoes that fit well and are made of breathable materials.
Remove wet or damp socks or shoes as soon as possible and dry your anxiety.
Disinfect boom clippers and home pedicure tools.
If you get pedicures, ensure that your salon follows proper disinfection procedures, and launder and dry out your feet when y'all return habitation.
Avoid applying smooth to infected nails.
If y'all have athlete's foot, care for the infection.