Quick Toenail Fungus Treatment
Effective toenail fungus treatments are available in non prescription and prescription strength; herbal remedies are also a popular toenail fungus treatment option. Before using any treatment, individuals should understand what toenail fungus is to keep it from reoccurring.
Toenail fungus or onychomycosis, occurs when a fungus penetrates the nail through a crack in the nail. Nail infections are highly contagious and are often spread in swimming pools, locker rooms and spa settings because these warm wet places allow bacteria to thrive. Though nail fungus can happen in the fingernails, the toenails are much more commonly affected. Individuals with toenail fungus are easy to spot because their toenails often swell up and become thick. The nail may become yellow, brown or black. Odor around the infection, pain in the toe and crumbly brittle looking nails are possible symptoms to look out for.
Generally, people with toenail fungus are ashamed by their unsightly problem, and stress over what others may think of them. They fear people think that they have bad hygiene or do not care about what they look like. With toenail fungus treatment, the infection can be cured and soon, a healthy nail will grow in its place. For home toenail fungus treatments, many natural or herbal cures are advisable, although the results will differ with each person.
Submerging feet in a tub of same parts vinegar and water for half an hour per day is a favorable remedy because the acidity in vinegar makes an atmosphere where the fungus cannot survive. As well, a liberal amount of vinegar can be applied over the nail a few times a day. Natural antiseptics and antifungal remedies such as lemon, tea tree oil, garlic and iodine are known to be a great natural toenail fungus treatment.
Although these natural remedies are somewhat effective, mild and difficult toenail fungus will require the help of prescribed medications. Seeing a medical professional will as well give you the opportunity for testing to be conducted so the fungi can be diagnosed and the ideal toenail fungus treatment for the particular type of fungus you are suffering from can be picked.
Oral antifungal medications such as fluconazoleare or terbinafine are commonly prescribed for toenail fungus treatment. Prescriptions are commonly taken for duration of about 12 weeks; however, it may take months before a healthy nail grows in the place of the infected one. For some individuals though, the side effects of oral antifungal medicines outweigh the advantages because skin rashes, liver damage or failure may happen. Oral antifungal medications can irritate kidney functions as well as cause heart failure and include other grave side effects when mixed with alcohol and other medications.
Terinafine used as a topical solution and other topical toenail fungus treatments can be used instead of or in conjunction with oral antifungal treatments. Due to cost, some people might decide to take over the counter versions of Terinafine or other nonprescription topical nail fungus treatment.
Doctors however, consider these treatments to be more appropriate for prevention than treatment of toenail fungus. Even after getting rid of a toenail infection, reinfection may occur. For those suffering from serious nail infections or suffering from reoccurring infections, removal of the infected nail may be required.
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