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.