Medicines for Toenail Fungus: What is the Best Option?

Many people are interested to know the best medicines for toenail fungus. It’s a common condition in the toenails caused by the growth of a fungus. Different fungi species can trigger skin problems such as bumps and rashes. However, it’s more common in the toenail. The fungus that causes the toenail infection thrives on damp surfaces, such as public showers and swimming pools.

The best medicines for toenail fungus will depend on the type of infection you have. That’s why proper diagnosis from the doctor is a must. Your doctor can examine your fungal nails and take a sample by scraping some portions. The specimen will be sent to the lab to check your infection type. Once the doctor receives the result, your doctor will decide the best treatment. Sometimes, the condition may only be due to psoriasis and is only mistaken as a fungal infection. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to get tested with your doctor.

What Is the Best Treatment for Toenail Fungus?

To determine the best med for toenail fungus, seek medical advice from health professionals. There are different medications that the doctor can prescribe for the treatment of toenail fungus. But the type of medication will depend on the kind of nail fungus you have and the severity of the infection.

Over the Counter Medications

Over-the-counter drugs are some of the best medicines for toenail fungus. They work to prevent infection and prevent the growth of toenail fungus. Usually, they come in the form of creams and topical gels that you can apply directly to the affected area.

There are also over-the-counter foot powders and foot sprays that can help prevent the growth of foot fungus before it gets into the toenails. These are the best products to treat mild cases. However, otc nail fungus treatment cannot penetrate deep into the cuticle and may not treat the infected nail fully. When it comes to this, you may be required to take prescription medicine or try a good all natural supplement.

Oral Medications

When you see a doctor for the treatment of your toenail fungus, your doctor will most likely prescribe you oral medications. They are usually the first choice for nail fungus med since they can help clear the fungal infection more quickly, unlike topical drugs.

The oral medications work by causing new nails to grow, replacing the infected nail. These medications have to be taken orally for six to twelve weeks, depending on the severity of your infection. Sporanox and Lamisil are some of the most popular oral medicines for toenail fungus.

Topical Medications

Prescription topicals are also some of the most common medications used to treat toenail fungus infection. But it’s only recommended for those infections that are not widespread but do not seem to go away with over-the-counter drugs. These medicines can come in the form of nail polish or cream.

Using the medicated nail polish as a med for nail fungus is easy. Just like with using regular nail polish, you just paint it directly into the affected nail using a brush. You should layer it for about a week. After a week, you can wipe the layers clean and start the process again. If you prefer the topical medication cream, you have to apply the cream directly to the affected toenail. Leave the cream for a few minutes to allow it to seep through the skin and kill the fungus that causes the infection.

Surgery

In the most extreme cases, your doctor might require you to undergo surgery, especially if none of the medicines for toenail fungus will work for you. There are also cases when the infection can make your toenails extremely painful. In this case, the doctor might consider removing the nail completely and will require you to apply the anti-fungal medication directly under the skin.

Home Remedies

Most of the toenail fungal infections come with only mild symptoms and will eventually go away on their own. If your infection is only mid, there are some home remedies for toenail fungus that you can try at home to eliminate the infection.

Trim and thin – regular trimming and thinning your nails can help to minimize the pain and inflammation brought by the toenail fungal infection. After trimming your nails, consider applying over-the-counter med for nail fungus for more effective results.

Footbath – a footbath is among the most effective home remedies for toenail fungal infections. For this, you can use baking soda, apple cider vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or Epsom salt. Mix them with warm water and soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes. These home remedies have been proven to be effective in treating all kinds of toenail fungus.

Antifungal essential oils – certain types of essential oils have also been found to contain powerful antifungal properties that can help treat toenail fungus infection. Some of the best essential oils for toenail fungus are clove oil, tea tree oil, jasmine oil, sage oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, ylang-ylang oil, cinnamon oil, lemongrass oil, and lemon oil. Prepare a footbath by mixing any essential oils with warm water and soaking your feet in the mixture.

Self-Care

While you can easily treat most toenail fungal infections, and there are many effective medicines for toenail fungus out there, prevention is always better than cure. If you do not want your toenails to be infected, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Keep your toenails trimmed at all times. Make sure they are clean, dry, and short.

If one of your toenails is infected, use a different nail clipper to trim it. Avoid using the same clipper for the rest of the toenails, or the infection will spread.

Always wear a pair of breathable shoes.

Keep your feet dry at all times. Wear socks made of cotton and change them regularly.

Always maintain good feet hygiene.

Wear shower shoes when using a communal bathroom.

Conclusion

If you are struggling with getting rid of your toenail fungus, see your doctor immediately. Your doctor will prescribe the most effective medicines for toenail fungus to help get rid of the infection. You can also give the home remedies a try if your symptoms are only mild. alternatively, you can also use a good all natural supplement as a best toenail fungus treatment option.

Lamisil for Toenail Fungus

Before using Lamisil for toenail fungus, you need to do enough research about this antifungal medication. Just like the other medicines for fungal infections, Lamisil can come with harmful side effects. You must not use it if you are allergic to Terbinafine drugs or suffer from liver problems and have a weakened immune system. Only use prescription toenail fungus medications if you must. If you can treat your nail fungus with all natural supplements, it will always be the best option.

Lamisil is used to treat a wide variety of fungal infections, but the most common of these is toenail fungus. Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. In most cases, the symptoms are mild, causing only cosmetic concerns. However, some people could suffer from changes in the nail structure which may even lead to pain. 

There are also cases where toenail fungus can become notoriously difficult to treat, mainly because the fungus will thrive throughout the nail, including in the nail bed. In addition, the structure of the nail has made it hard for some topical medications to penetrate. One of the most common treatments for toenail fungus is Lamisil. But it would be best to see a doctor before using Lamisil for toenail fungus. 

What Is Lamisil?

Lamisil is a medication used to treat different types of fungal skin infections, including athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch. It is also used to treat some skin conditions, such as pityriasis, a fungal infection that causes the skin on the neck, arms, chest, or legs to darken. When you use Lamisil for nail fungus, it works by preventing the growth of the fungus on your nails. You can buy Lamisil toenail fungus over the counter. However, the Lamisil tablets require a prescription from the doctor.

You must apply Lamisil topical on the nails or skin only. Before applying, make sure you clean the affected area and dry it thoroughly. Apply a thin layer of Lamisil on and around the infected area. It can be used once or twice daily, depending on your doctor’s directions or according to the product label.

If you have any questions about using Lamisil for toenail fungus, better talk to your doctor or pharmacist. After using, wash your hands thoroughly unless the area being treated includes your hands. Never wrap, cover, or put a bandage on the affected area unless directed by your doctor.

Safety Precautions When Using Lamisil for Toenail Fungus

It’s always a good idea to consult with medical experts if you decide to use Lamisil for toe fungus. The doctor can diagnose your toe to confirm if it’s due to a fungal infection and will determine if the Lamisil is safe for you to use or not. One of the most common reasons why treatment of nail infections often fails is that people immediately assume it is due to fungus, even if it’s not. By working with a doctor, specifically a podiatrist, you will not only confirm that the cause is due to fungus, but the doctor can also identify the type of strain that has caused the infection. From this, the doctor can then decide which medication is more suitable for you.

Generally, using Lamisil topical for toenail fungus is safe. It’s also safe to use for other types of fungal infections. Just avoid applying it on your nose, eyes, mouth, or inside the vagina. But if you have accidentally applied the cream to those areas, clean them immediately with plenty of water. In addition, avoid applying the medication on your scalp unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

The length and dosage of Lamisil for toenail fungus will depend on the type of fungal infection you have. That’s why it’s a good idea to see your doctor instead of self-medicating with Lamisil. Avoid applying Lamisil more often, or longer than the doctor recommends, as this could put you at risk of harmful side effects. To get the most benefits, use Lamisil regularly. If possible, use it at the same time every day. Continue using until the full treatment period is over, even if your symptoms have already disappeared after a few days. The infection could return if you stop the medication early on.

Your condition should improve after the full treatment of Lamisil. Depending on the severity of the condition, it could take several weeks for the infection to completely heal. Inform your doctor if your condition worsens or will not improve even after your period of using Lamisil for toenail fungus is over.

Side Effects of Using Lamisil for Toenail Fungus

Although rare, you could suffer minor side effects such as itching, irritation, or burning sensation on the infected area when using Lamisil for toenail fungus. If any of these symptoms persist or get worse, inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately. If your doctor has advised you to use Lamisil, remember that your doctor has assessed that the benefit is far greater than its side effects. But in most cases, this medication should not cause any severe side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if you suffer from severe but unlikely side effects such as swelling and blistering on the affected area. Some people could suffer from allergic reactions, but it’s very rare. However, seek immediate medical attention as you start developing symptoms of rashes, itchiness, swelling, severe dizziness, and difficulty breathing.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Using Lamisil for Nail Fungus

Before using Lamisil for toenail fungus, inform your doctor if you are allergic to it or other anti-fungal medications. Your doctor will usually ask you if you have any allergies to specific medicines, in most cases. Lamisil could contain inactive ingredients that can trigger allergic reactions and other issues to some people. Discuss with your doctor what other alternatives are safer for you to use.

Those suffering from any health problems must also exercise utmost precaution when using this product. For pregnant women, this medication must only be used when extremely needed. Also, if you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Lamisil for toenail fungus. Some ingredients from the medication could be passed into the milk if taken by mouth and could harm your child.

For more available options on treating toenail fungus, read our best toenail fungus treatment post.