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Cures for Nail Infections

Nail infections are easily picked up from moist places like a pool area, spa or gym-locker room. Nail infections are caused by fungus much like athlete's foot. Although they are easy to catch, they are at times very difficult to cure. There are many approaches to curing nail infections, but they all boil down to medical-drug intervention or natural remedies.

  1. Traditional Medicine

    • The most common drugs used to treat nail infections by prescription tend to be expensive, yet very effective. Some of the medications come in lotion form, applied topically while others are a pill that is orally ingested. Most of the prescribed drugs have adverse side effects such as: headaches, nausea, dizziness, allergic reactions, liver damage and mental confusion. The most common drugs used are Griseofulvin, Ketoconazole and Lamisil.

    Natural Remedies

    • The most-common natural remedy for nail infections is tea tree oil. One-hundred percent tea tree oil can be purchased at any natural/health-food store for around $12. Tea tree oil is made from an Australian tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, which naturally contains antifungal properties. The oil needs to be directly applied to the infected nails three times a day until the nail fully grows out. This can take anywhere from three months to one year. Another common natural-home remedy is vapor rub. Vapor rub contains thyme and eucalyptus oil, which are both natural antifungal herbs. This should be applied every other day until the symptoms of the infection subside.

    Time Frame

    • Traditional medicines usually take up to two weeks to effectively kill the nail infection---but could take up to six weeks. Natural remedies take much longer to work, but don't have any side effects. Natural remedies typically take anywhere from six weeks to over one year, depending on the natural remedy you choose to use.

    Function

    • The function of cures for nail infections is to kill the fungus causing the infection and to kill the infection that resulted from the fungus. Each medication and/or natural remedy works differently, but their function is the same. Once the fungus is killed, the infection will naturally begin to subside. Medications are taken even after the fungus is killed in order to prevent it from returning. This is why it is recommended to take all of the prescribed medication that has been suggested--- or the fungus may return.

    Complications

    • If the nail fungus is not treated, it can spread to other fingers and parts of the body. The feet and groin area are the two most susceptible areas causing athlete's foot, jock itch or a yeast infection. Nail infections are highly contagious, so you can easily infect other people with whom you interact.

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