Nail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a very common problem. Toenail fungus, in particular, can be very stubborn and difficult to get rid of completely. For many people, the goal is management rather than a complete cure.
Because of the difficulty in treating nail fungus, many people have searched for a simple, at-home remedy. One of the questions that comes up frequently is: Can acetone kill nail fungus?
This article will explore what nail fungus actually is and what properties acetone has. We’ll evaluate whether acetone can realistically be expected to work as a treatment, and we’ll also discuss treatments that have been shown to be effective.
So, does acetone kill nail fungus? Keep reading to find out.
Understanding nail fungus (onychomycosis)
Nail fungus is an infection that causes your toenails (or sometimes fingernails) to get thick, discolored, or even painful, which can sometimes lead people to consider options like Listerine for fingernail fungus. The medical name for nail fungus is onychomycosis.
Here’s what you need to know:
What is nail fungus?
Nail fungus happens when fungal spores get under your nail, usually through the nail bed. These spores love warm, damp environments, like the inside of your shoes.
If you have nail fungus, you might notice:
- Discoloration (yellowish or brownish nails)
- Thickening of the nail
- Brittleness or crumbling
- The nail separating from the nail bed
Causes and risk factors
Fungal spores thrive in warm, moist conditions, like sweaty socks and shoes. Some things that make you more likely to get nail fungus include:
- Poor hygiene
- Nail trauma or injury
- Diabetes
- A weakened immune system
- Older age
Why proper diagnosis matters
It’s important to get a proper diagnosis from a doctor if you think you have nail fungus. That’s because other conditions can look like nail fungus, and you don’t want to waste time and resources on the wrong treatment.
A lab test is usually needed to confirm that a fungus is causing your nail problem.
Acetone: Properties and Potential Antifungal Effects
What is Acetone?
Acetone is a chemical solvent often found in nail polish remover. It’s highly flammable and evaporates quickly, which is why you can smell it so easily.
Besides removing nail polish, acetone is used as a cleaning agent and as a solvent in a variety of industries.
Does Acetone Have Antifungal Properties?
This is where things get tricky. I don’t have access to a scientific journal database to tell you definitively whether acetone has antifungal properties. It’s possible that some research has been done in test tubes (in vitro) or in living organisms (in vivo) to explore this, but I can’t say for sure. It’s also possible that acetone could disrupt fungal cell membranes or inhibit fungal growth in some way, but again, I would need to see research to back that up.
Limitations of Using Acetone as a Treatment
Even if acetone had some antifungal properties, there are reasons to be cautious about using it to treat nail fungus:
- It’s hard to reach the infection: Nail fungus lives under the nail, and acetone may not be able to penetrate the nail plate effectively to get to the fungus.
- It can irritate your skin: Acetone is known to dry out and irritate the skin around the nail. This could actually make the fungal infection worse or lead to other problems.
- There’s no proof it works: Most importantly, there’s no solid scientific evidence to support the use of acetone as a nail fungus treatment. Just because something might have antifungal properties doesn’t mean it’s a safe or effective treatment.
Proven treatments for nail fungus
Unfortunately, acetone isn’t a proven treatment for nail fungus. If you think you have nail fungus, it’s best to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment advice. Here are some of the treatments that are proven to work.
Topical treatments
For mild cases of nail fungus, you might consider a topical treatment. These are medications that you apply directly to the affected nail. You can find some over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal medications at your local drugstore. Your doctor can also prescribe stronger topical treatments, such as ciclopirox or amorolfine.
Ciclopirox nail polish, for example, has been shown to be effective in about 30 out of 100 people after one year of use. And about 7 out of 100 people felt good about the appearance of their nails after using ciclopirox.
Topical treatments don’t always work, and it can take a long time to see results—sometimes up to a year. But they can be a good option if the infection is limited to a small area of the nail, or for children, or for a type of nail fungus called superficial onychomycosis.
Oral medications
If your nail fungus is more severe, your doctor may prescribe an oral medication, such as terbinafine, itraconazole, or fluconazole. Terbinafine is often the preferred choice for fungal infections caused by dermatophytes.
Oral medications are usually recommended for infections that affect multiple nails, infections that start at the base of the nail, or severe cases of nail fungus.
About 76 out of 100 people who took terbinafine showed no signs of fungal infection after three months of treatment. Itraconazole was effective in about 43 out of 100 people after three months.
While oral medications can be more effective than topical treatments, they can also have significant side effects, including liver damage and potential interactions with other medications.
Other treatment options
Other options include laser therapy to kill the fungus. In severe cases, surgical removal of the nail may be necessary.
Home remedies and prevention
Debunking home remedies
People try all sorts of things to get rid of nail fungus, and you’ve probably heard about some of them. Unfortunately, many common home remedies, like tea tree oil or vinegar soaks, just don’t have enough science behind them to prove that they work.
What’s worse, some remedies can actually be harmful. Some people react to tea tree oil, for instance, with skin irritation. And while vinegar is often considered a safe substance, it hasn’t been shown to be effective against nail fungus.
Prevention strategies
It’s always better to prevent a problem than to treat it. You can take steps to keep from getting nail fungus in the first place.
- Practice proper foot hygiene. Keep your feet clean and dry.
- Wear appropriate footwear. Wear sandals or flip-flops in public shower rooms at gyms or pools. Choose shoes that allow your feet to breathe and don’t press on your toenails.
- Avoid sharing personal items. Never share socks, shoes, or nail clippers.
- Maintain healthy nails. Keep your nails trimmed and avoid injuring them.
Here are some other preventative measures you can take:
- Wear socks that wick away perspiration. Acrylic socks are better than cotton.
- Use antifungal foot powder daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to starve nail fungus
You can’t “starve” nail fungus in the literal sense. Nail fungus thrives in the keratin of your nails. However, maintaining good hygiene, keeping your feet dry, and avoiding occlusive footwear can make the environment less hospitable for fungal growth, complementing other treatment strategies.
What happens if you have toenail fungus for too long
Prolonged toenail fungus can lead to thickened, discolored, and brittle nails. It can also cause pain and discomfort, making it difficult to walk or wear shoes. In severe cases, the infection can spread to other nails or even the skin. Untreated fungal infections can also become more resistant to treatment over time.
What kills fingernail fungus the fastest
There’s no instant cure for fingernail fungus. Prescription oral antifungal medications generally offer the fastest results, but they also come with potential side effects and require monitoring by a doctor. Topical treatments are safer but take longer to work. Laser therapy is another option with varying degrees of success.
What gets rid of nail fungus permanently
Complete eradication of nail fungus can be challenging, and recurrence is common. Oral antifungal medications offer the best chance of a permanent cure, but even they aren’t 100% effective. Consistent adherence to treatment and preventative measures is crucial for long-term success.
Will acetone remove fungus
Acetone is a solvent commonly found in nail polish remover. While it can help dehydrate the nail and potentially kill some surface-level fungus, it’s unlikely to penetrate deep enough to eradicate the infection. Acetone should not be considered a primary treatment for nail fungus and can be very drying to the surrounding skin.
To Conclude
There’s no evidence that acetone can treat nail fungus. In fact, there’s no scientific reason to believe that it would work. If you have nail fungus, acetone is unlikely to help and could potentially make the problem worse.
If you think you have nail fungus, you should talk with a healthcare professional to get a diagnosis and discuss treatment options. The best treatment will depend on how severe the infection is, your age, your overall health, and any medications you’re already taking. Your doctor can help you weigh the pros and cons of different treatments and choose the one that’s right for you.
Proven treatments for nail fungus include topical medications that you apply directly to the nail and oral medications that you take by mouth. You can also take steps to prevent nail fungus from spreading or coming back, such as keeping your feet clean and dry, wearing breathable socks and shoes, and avoiding walking barefoot in public places.
Nail fungus can be a stubborn condition, and it’s not always possible to get rid of it completely. But with the right treatment and prevention strategies, you can control the infection and improve the appearance of your nails. It’s important to have realistic expectations and to work with your doctor to find a management plan that works for you.