Toenail fungus affects approximately 10% of Americans, with older men and women being the primary victims. Toenail fungus is a contagious infection caused by fungi, with dermatophyte being the most common.
Saying Goodbye to Toenail Fungus
Common signs of toenail fungus include yellow, thickened toenails with unsightly white streaks and spots. The untreated fungus can spread to other toenails, the groin area, and the scalp and also cause athlete’s foot. Toenail fungus is a bit stubborn to treat, but the following are proven treatments.
Orally-Administered Antifungal Drugs
When diagnosed with toenail fungus, the podiatrist will mostly prescribe oral antifungal drugs. Antifungal medication helps a new, infection-free nail to grow, replacing the infected one. Itraconazole is the most popular antifungal drug, often taken daily for around 12 weeks. Basically, it can take a few months for the medicine to eradicate the infection. However, oral antifungal medications aren’t effective among seniors over 67 years.
These drugs are notorious for causing rashes and liver damage when used extensively. Therefore, your podiatrist won’t recommend antifungal medications if you have congestive heart failure, liver disease, or high blood pressure.
Fungus Eliminator Supplements
The Fungus eliminator is slowly gaining traction as the perfect treatment for toenail fungus. The inclination towards non-chemical ways to treat health problems has bolstered the campaign for all-natural and safe supplements. This products uses well-known naturally-extracted ingredients, including caprylic, turmeric, and wormwood, to kill toenail fungus quickly and curb spreading. With such supplements, you’ll safely deal with unsightly toenail fungus and prevent further spreading of the infection.
Medicated Topical Nail Creams
Medicated nail creams are a popular treatment for toenail fungus and are highly recommended by healthcare providers. Popular nail creams for treating fungal infections include tavaborole and efinaconazole. Users will need to soak their nails before rubbing the cream on to increase absorbency. Soaking the infected nails before applying the cream enables the medication to penetrate the hard nail surface easily. It’s important to note that medicated toenail creams may cause side effects such as rash and discomfort.
Laser Treatments
In cases where the toenail fungal infection has eaten deep into your nails or caused athlete’s foot, the healthcare provider will have to use more advanced treatment. In this care method, the surgeon will apply a laser beam to remove the fungal infection. However, you must realize that as per FDA-approved standards, laser treatments are only suitable for the temporary removal of the fungus. They are not as effective for curing toenail infection as the other recommended treatment options. Getting a laser treatment won’t guarantee a cure, as is the case with oral and topical medications.
Conclusion
Multiple factors will affect the treatment your healthcare provider will recommend for toenail fungus. Usually, the doctor will check the medical situation and symptoms. After diagnosing and analyzing your toenail condition, the podiatrist will create a customized treatment plan. In most cases, they will start with the standard oral antifungal medications and topical antifungal medication. If they fail, the doctor may have to recommend specialized supplements.
At the end of the day, it’s always a good idea to seek some help from Mother Nature. In this case, there’s no harm in making all-natural supplements your first treatment choice.