Toenail fungus, also called onychomycosis, is a common infection that can affect one or more of your toenails. It’s often unsightly and can be uncomfortable, so you’re probably looking for ways to get rid of it.
The good news is that there are many different ways to approach removing fungus toenail, from simple home remedies that you can try yourself to prescription medications to surgical procedures.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of toenail fungus, discussing what causes it, how to treat it, and what you can do to prevent it from coming back.
Understanding toenail fungus
Toenail fungus is a common condition that can be unsightly and uncomfortable.
Causes and risk factors
Toenail fungus is caused by microscopic organisms, including yeasts, molds, and bacteria. These organisms thrive in warm, moist environments.
There are several risk factors that make you more likely to get toenail fungus, including:
- Diabetes
- Poor foot hygiene
- Wearing shoes that keep your feet hot and sweaty
- Walking barefoot in public places, such as locker rooms and swimming pools
- Having a nail injury or skin condition that affects the nail
Symptoms and severity
Toenail fungus can cause nails to become:
- Thickened
- Discolored (yellowish or brownish)
- Brittle
- Distorted in shape
If left untreated, toenail fungus can spread to other nails and even to the skin around the nails. In severe cases, it can cause pain and make it difficult to walk.
Diagnosing Toenail Fungus
Before you start any treatment for toenail fungus, it’s important to get a professional diagnosis from your doctor. Why? Because several other conditions can look like toenail fungus but require completely different treatments. You want to make sure you’re actually dealing with a fungal infection before you start attacking it!
The diagnostic process usually involves a visual examination of the nail. Your doctor will likely take nail clippings to send to a lab for testing. This will help them identify the specific type of fungus, if any, and rule out other potential causes of the nail’s appearance.
Treatment Options: An Overview
First, it’s important to know that you don’t always need treatment for a toenail fungus, especially if it’s a mild case. Sometimes, good self-care practices will resolve the problem on their own.
That said, if you do need treatment, there are several options available. These range from topical treatments you apply directly to the nail (creams, gels, sprays, and even antifungal nail polish) to oral medications, laser therapy, and even surgical nail removal.
Whatever treatment you and your doctor decide on, patience is key, because it can take months – or even years – to completely get rid of the fungus.
Prescription Medications
If home treatments don’t clear up your toenail fungus, a visit to the doctor may be in order.
Oral Antifungal Drugs
Your doctor may suggest oral antifungal drugs like terbinafine and itraconazole. You’ll take these medications for about 12 weeks, but it can take 10 months or more after that for the fungus to go away completely.
Prescription treatments like terbinafine and itraconazole can be effective, but they can also cause side effects like liver issues and nausea. Your doctor will monitor you carefully while you’re taking them.
For people over 65, these drugs may not work as well.
Topical Antifungal Treatments
Another option is antifungal nail polish (ciclopirox) or creams (efinaconazole, tavaborole). You may need to apply this kind of nail polish every day for almost a year.
Depending on your particular situation, topical treatments may be a better choice for you.
If you’re using a topical medication, thinning the nail first can help the medication penetrate and work better. Your doctor can advise you on how to thin your nails safely.
Other treatment methods
Nail removal
If the infection is deep or has been present for a long time, a doctor may recommend removing the nail surgically or using a non-surgical method.
About 10 days after the procedure, the doctor can remove the infected nail from the nail bed or cut away the diseased portion of the nail. After the procedure, you’ll need to keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection and promote healing.
Laser treatment
Laser treatment involves using a special laser to target and kill the fungus in and under the toenail. The laser emits energy that heats and destroys the fungus without harming the surrounding tissue.
But the American Academy of Dermatology says that while laser treatment sounds “promising,” more research is needed to confirm how safe and effective it is. Studies have had mixed results about how well laser treatments work.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Treatments
If you’ve got a mild case of toenail fungus, you might be tempted to try an over-the-counter treatment. They’re certainly convenient, but keep in mind that they’re usually only effective for very mild infections. Don’t expect miracles, okay?
Also, OTC treatments take forever to work. Even if they do help, you’re looking at months and months of consistent application before you see any real improvement. So, be patient, and don’t give up after just a few weeks if you don’t see results right away.
Home remedies and lifestyle changes
Sometimes, you can treat toenail fungus at home with over-the-counter remedies. You can also make lifestyle changes that support the healing process.
Home remedies
Some people have good results using tea tree oil, Vicks VapoRub, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, or even coconut oil to treat toenail fungus. Some research shows that tea tree oil has antifungal effects, and one study found that treating affected nail samples with baking soda stopped fungal growth in 79% of cases and reduced it in 17% of cases. This was after 7 days of treatment.
But keep in mind that results from home remedies are mixed, and you may need to use them in conjunction with prescription medications to see real results.
Lifestyle changes
Taking care of your feet, making some changes in your hygiene, and even exposing your feet to sunlight can also help treat toenail fungus.
It’s important to:
- Keep your feet clean and dry.
- Soften your nails with urea-containing creams before trimming or filing them.
- Soak your nails in warm water before trimming.
- Trim your nails short and straight across.
- Change your shoes and socks daily, and make sure you disinfect your socks from toenail fungus effectively.
- Use breathable shoes that aren’t too tight.
Preventing toenail fungus
Once you’ve gotten rid of toenail fungus, you probably want to avoid getting it again! Here are some tips for keeping your feet fungus-free:
- Keep your feet clean and dry. Good foot hygiene is key to preventing fungal growth.
- Wear shower shoes in public areas. Protect your feet from picking up fungus in communal showers, gyms, and pools.
- Sanitize nail tools. Make sure your nail salon properly sanitizes its tools, or bring your own. If you do your own nails at home, clean your nail clippers regularly.
What to Expect During and After Treatment
No matter which treatment option you pursue, be prepared to wait. It can take anywhere from six months to a year and a half to see your nail fully return to normal. It takes time for the healthy nail to grow and replace the damaged portion.
You’ll know the treatment is working when you start to see new, healthy nail growing in at the base. Keep an eye on it!
Unfortunately, toenail fungus can come back. If you think your fungus has returned, see a doctor to re-evaluate your treatment.
In Conclusion
Toenail fungus is a common infection that can be treated with prescription or over-the-counter medications, home remedies, or even surgery in some cases. If you think you have a toenail fungal infection, talk with your doctor to figure out the best way to treat it.