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Best Remedy for Toenail Fungus

The medical term for toenail fungus is onychomycosis. Toenail fungus is caused by microscopic organisms that get under the nail and into the nail bed. Although the condition can become painful if allowed to progress, toenail fungus usually causes more embarrassment than physical pain. Infected nails become thick and yellow and may emit a foul odor. A fungal infection can spread from one toenail to another and can move to the fingernails. The fungus also can spread from one person to another via shared showers or nail care instruments.

  1. See the Doctor

    • Toenail fungus can be extremely difficult to get rid of, so it is wise to see a podiatrist as soon as you realize you have it. Your doctor may prescribe oral anti-fungal medications, a topical medication or a combination of both. These prescription treatments are more effective than over-the-counter medications. To cure toenail fungus, it is important to trim and file the infected nails and keep them as short as possible. Your doctor may trim and file the nails for you during your visit, but it is important to keep trimming the nails at home. In extremely bad cases, it may be necessary to have the toenail surgically removed and allow new, healthy nail tissue to grow in its place. This is the only way to be 100 percent certain the fungus doesn't come back, but most people do not need to resort to this particular treatment.

    Prevention

    • Prevention truly is the best medicine for toenail fungus. Because fungus that has been treated often recurs, you should take preventative measures even after you have had an infection. Always wear shower shoes when using a public shower. It is also a good idea to wear shower shoes at home while you have an active infection. This will prevent others in your home from contracting the infection and can help you avoid re-infecting yourself. Replace or disinfect nail clippers or files used on infected toenails. Dry your feet thoroughly after showering or bathing and always wear shoes that help your feet breathe. Use foot powder to help reduce moisture from sweating feet. Nail polish can actually lock fungus into the nail, so don't use nail polish on infected toenails unless it is an anti-fungal polish prescribed by your doctor.

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