White Toenail Fungus: White Toenail Fungus Treatment

Onychomycosis, or white toenail fungus, is a common nail disorder that affects millions worldwide. This condition results from a certain type of fungus known as dermatophytes. These parasites feed on keratin, the protein that makes up the nails. Dermatophytes are anaerobic organisms, which means they can survive even without oxygen. This type of fungus can also cause other infections, such as jock itch and ringworm. 

Onychomycosis is characterized by the thickening and discoloration of the nails due to the overproduction of keratin that’s meant to replace the ones eaten by the fungus. The white nail fungus infection will usually start at the nail bed before spreading and growing to cover the entire nail. 

Different Types of White Toenail Fungus 

Toenail fungus can come in several different types. Here are some of them: 

• Distal Subungual Onychomycosis – this is a type of nail fungus characterized by an infection that occurs between the skin and the tip of the nail, as well as on the sides of the nail. If you have this type of fungal infection on your toenails, you will notice that your nails have become yellowish. 

• White Superficial Onychomycosis – white superficial onychomycosis is characterized by the white and powdery specs that will appear on the surface of the nails. Aside from the white under toenail, the affected nails will also get flaky and brittle. This infection is highly curable compared to the other types of white toenail fungus. 

• Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis – this is a rare form of toenail fungus characterized by white under toenail spots. Sometimes, the spots are yellowish and will appear on the cuticle before eventually spreading throughout the other parts of the nail. 

People often have the impression that onychomycosis is merely due to a cosmetic problem. But people suffering from white toenail fungus will sometimes experience severe pain due to the nails growing inward. The condition could affect the patient both physically and mentally as the discomfort could make them unable to perform their normal daily tasks, such as running and walking. Onychomycosis can also make patients feel embarrassed and refrain from socializing since the condition can make their nails look horrible. There’s also the fear that they could spread it to other people since it’s highly contagious. Another common form of toenail fungus is athlete’s foot toenail fungus.

What to Look for in a White Toenail Fungus Treatment 

If your white toenail fungus is left untreated, it can become a challenge to treat. The severity of your condition is an important factor to consider when determining the proper treatment. If the toenails have become thick and yellowed and were left untreated for a long time, you will need a medication prescribed by a doctor. Here are the other factors to consider when it comes to the white toenail fungus treatment. 

• Location of the infection – usually, the toenail fungus will manifest as an athlete’s foot. It will begin with some rashes appearing on foot before spreading to the toenails. The treatment for an athlete’s foot is different from toenail fungus, so be mindful of where the problem is before you resort to treatment. If you have confirmed that you have an athlete’s foot, you can turn to antifungal creams, sprays, ointments, and powders, which you can purchase over the counter. 

• Ingredients of the medication – undecylenic acid and zinc undecylenate are both ingredients approved by the FDA to treat toenail fungus. Also, if you seek consultation from a dermatologist, they will most likely prescribe medications from the “azole” family. It works by interfering with the synthesis of the white fungus under toenail, which essentially kills the white fungus. 

Different Types of Toenail Fungus Treatments 

The treatment for white toenail fungus can come in a variety of forms. However, the most commonly used treatments are oral, topical, and homeopathic medications. 

• Oral – oral fungal medications have been proven effective for treating toenail fungus. However, they could take a long time to work. Lamisil has been found to have the lowest side effects of all the oral antifungal medications and works as a fungicidal medication that destroys the fungus by blocking its ability to “breath” or produce oxygen molecules needed for it to survive. However, people suffering from certain conditions may not be eligible for oral antifungal medications as they will be at high risk for serious side effects when taking the drug. These conditions include chronic renal failure, renal transplant, immunodeficiency, cancer, diabetes, etc. 

• Topical – topical treatments, such as ciclopirox and amorolfine, can help treat minor toenail fungus. These medications can cause less serious and fewer side effects. However, the medication cannot penetrate the nail plate, so the efficacy is usually low. While topical treatments can be effective, they require costly and lengthy regimens with no established method for predicting the outcome. 

• Natural or homeopathic treatment – natural preventative measures for white toenail fungus or dark toenail fungus may work. However, once the fungus sets in, your best bet is to go for research-backed and FDA-approved oral antifungal medication. Garlic is known for its antifungal properties and can provide relief for white toenail fungus when used as a foot soak. But keep in mind that when you turn to natural or homeopathic treatment, a complete cure can take more than a year. 

Conclusion 

The white toenail fungus is a common condition affecting many people. Males are usually more prone to acquiring the toenail fungus than females. Also, individuals who are 60 years old and above are more susceptible to developing toenail fungus than much younger individuals. But this could be because they generally have a weak immune system. Certain conditions can also make you easy prey for dermatophytes, the parasite that causes the toenail fungus. These conditions include leukemia, diabetes, and psoriasis. 

If you suspect that you have white toenail fungus, the first thing you must do is see a doctor for the proper diagnosis of the condition. Only your doctor can prescribe the most effective treatment for your toenail fungus. Your doctor can also assess if a certain antifungal medication is safe for you to use or not.