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How to get rid of stuff » Pest Problems » How to Get Rid of Nail Fungus
 

How to Get Rid of Nail Fungus

February 14th, 2007 by admin
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There Be Fungus Amungus

Nail fungusNail fungus, also known as ‘onychomycosis’ is a condition that results from fungus, mold, or bacteria infecting the nail bed between your finger or toe nails and the skin underneath. The method of infection is very similar to that of athlete's foot (Learn how to get rid of athlete's foot) – It can begin with a single exposure to one of the many microorganisms that can live in your nail bed (found in locker rooms, pools, showers, footwear – places warm and moist) coupled with a persistent warm, moist environment around the infected nails. Nail fungus is most commonly found in toe nails because moist shoes serve as good incubators, where fingers are exposed to the open air and are dry most of the time.

Finger and Toe Nail Fungus Symptoms

The most common signs of nail fungus are:
    Sign of nail fungus
  • Thickened nails
  • Brittle, crumbling nails
  • A mis-shapen, dull appearance
  • Discoloration – yellow, brown, green or black
  • Seperation of the nail from the nail bed
  • An ‘off’ or ‘foul’ odor

Yellow Nail Syndrome

Yellow nails are sometimes caused by a condition known as “yellow nail syndrome”. The chances that you actually have this condition are very slim, especially if this is the first you’ve heard of it because it is accompanied by several much worse symptoms: Swelling of your lower extremities, pneumonia (Tips on how to get rid of pneumonia) and bronchiectasis. If, however you’re one of those people who absolutely hate going to the doctor, and any of these additional symptoms sound familiar to you – get your butt in gear and get to your doctor ASAP! This is not a condition that heals on its own.

A Note to Diabetics

If you have diabetes, you should see your doctor at the first sign of toenail fungus. As you probably already know, diabetes can cause poor circulation to your extremities resulting in a slower immune system response. This means that even a relatively minor condition such as nail fungus could snowball into a much more serious condition if left untreated. Let your doctor examine your feet and help you monitor the infection during the course of treatment.

Finger and Toe Nail Fungus Treatments

Fungal nail infections aren’t usually dangerous, but they are pretty unsightly and can sometimes even be painful. If left untreated they usually do not go away on their own so depending on your unique perspective (and/or lack of health insurance) you may opt for one of several effective treatments for finger and toe nail fungus. Regardless of the method you choose, it can take a very long time to cure this condition. Any treatment you choose will only stop new nail growth from becoming infected – so you will have to wait for the old, nasty nails to grow out completely before you’re cured, and that can take a while. Taking a multi vitamin can help speed this up.

Oral Medications for Nail Fungus

SporanoxOral antifungal medications will need to be prescribed by a doctor, and include Itraconazole (Sporanox), Fluconazole (Diflucan), and Terbinafine (Lamisil). Because the fungus is living between your nail and the skin underneath, it’s not very accessible for a direct attack so taking one of these drugs will help your body eliminate fungi-friendly conditions in new nail growth. These medications should be combined with proper prevention which is addressed later on in this article.

Home Remedies for Nail Fungus

There are quite a few home remedies for nail fungus as well – and many of them are quite effective but you must make sure you apply them religiously AND follow the instructions in the next section on prevention. Though unverified, popular opinion says that these home remedy topical treatments work just as well as store-bought fungicidal creams and are much less expensive. Bear in mind that you will have to continue these treatments until all signs of fungus are gone which can take up to a year because you’re waiting for the infected parts of the nail to grow out and be replaced with healthy nail. You should start to see new nail growth which is free of the fungus within the first month. Stopping prematurely WILL result in re-infection. Here are two popular and inexpensive natural remedies: Foot Soaks
  1. In a small tub or bowl just large enough to submerge the infected nails completely, mix equal parts Listerine mouthwash with white vinegar.
  2. Soak the infected nails in this bath for at least 15 minutes, twice daily. You can re-use the same liquid for up to a week before replacing with a fresh mixture.
    3. Listerine and vinegar Foot soaking Nail cutting
  3. As your nails grow, keep them well groomed. Use nail clippers to cut them short and a file to rough the surface up. Store your grooming tools in a container filled with the same liquid you use for the daily soaks.
  4. Wash your hands after every treatment.
    • Alternative #1: Apply the mixture directly to the infected nails using a sponge or Q-Tip at least twice a day.
    • Alternative #2: Roll up a paper towel, saturate it with the mixture and then wrap it around the infected fingers or toes for 15-20 minutes, twice daily.
Vick’s VapoRub
Coat the infected fingers and toes with Vicks VapoRub at least twice daily and right before bed. Wash your hands after every treatment.

Remove nailNail Removal

This is an extreme solution, and is only prescribed in cases where the infection is severe or painful. Removing the nail allows the infection to be treated directly and cured quickly – but is painful. Your nails usually grow back too, and in case you hadn’t guessed – this is something ONLY your doctor should do. ;)

Nail Fungus Prevention

Here are some tips for keeping the environment around your nails inhospitable to fungi and bacteria.
  • Thoroughly wash and dry your hands and feet after bathing, including the areas between your toes.
  • When you wash your nails, scrub them with a soft bristled brush to remove dirt and dead skin.
  • Trim your nails and keep them short.
  • Clean any dirt out from underneath your finger and toenails with a toothpick.
    • Hand washing Nail cutting Foot powdering
  • Wear only shoes and socks that allow your feet to breathe. Change your socks during the day if they routinely become moist.
  • Regularly apply anti-fungal powder to your feet and footwear.
  • Don’t go bare foot in public locker rooms or share footwear with others.
  • Refrain from wearing fake nails.
Have a home remedy or cure that is not listed here? Maybe an experience with one of the above methods? Please add it here for others using the form at the bottom of this page.

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  1. March 7th, 2009 at 6:47 am    Daniel Says:

    Is the toenail fungus the same one that causes diabetes?

  2. February 5th, 2009 at 7:20 am    farah Says:

    i have fungus on the feet nail and now starting on thr figer nail plz hellp to avoid this problme. thank you With Kind Regard…

  3. July 24th, 2008 at 8:09 am    pam hughes Says:

    I went to earthclinic.com and found a tip – mix 1/2 peroxide, 1/2 white vinegar. Use an eyedropper and put under toe nail in the a.m. and pm. I used Vicks Vapor Rub (university study proved the Rub worked)on the outside of the nail. I began this treatment 12-3-08, and my nail is almost completely grown out. You must keep your nail clean and short. I will not stop this until I am convinced the fungus is gone. I am going to begin drinking some apple cider vinegar each day. I have had the fungus for 3 years and really am determined to see it eliminated completely. Good luck – with perseverence you can eliminate toe fungus!

  4. April 14th, 2008 at 6:45 pm    Margo Algarra Says:

    My brother told me to use straight bleach. I use a cotton-tipped applicator, dip it in the bleach, and dab it on each toenail, regardless if it’s infected. It works for me. Unfortunately, you can’t slack off. By the way, it works fairly quickly; a few weeks in comparison to the months of other types of treatment. By the way, after dabbing on the bleach, you must wait until it dries before socks and shoes!!

  5. March 22nd, 2008 at 5:18 am    Kerby Alexandra Bianca Harrod Says:

    Drink a gallon of water a day to aid in weightloss. Also run/walk at lease 2 miles 7days a week to aid in weightloss also. Do strength training 3 days a week.

  6. November 17th, 2007 at 7:30 pm    sue Says:

    i took Lamisil after having toenail fungus (eventually affecting all toes) for approximately 15 yrs. It worked within 6 months and I followed up by using Penlac. After “slacking off” and not using the Penlac after awhile, I noticed that it was coming back on my big toes and a couple of others. However, when I went back to my podiatrist, he told me although the fungus was beginning to return, it wasn’t enough for him to be able to prescribe Lamisil again (stricter guidelines prohibited it). I started looking for “natural remedies” in desperation. Began taking organic apple cider vinegar….two teaspoons daily in salad and 2 cider vinegar tablets (2 per day = 600 mg.). Within a few weeks, I noticed the little bit of fungus that had returned, was growing up and out!! I’ve continued taking the ACV daily and the 2 tspns. in salad most days of the week. ACV was definitely the answer to my prayers!!!!

  7. September 24th, 2007 at 10:43 pm    My turn Says:

    I’ve had toenail fungus for a while now. I’ve tried stuff in stores but its hard to remember to apply it 4-5 times a day. I’ve had it for years. Is there something quicker?

  8. September 17th, 2007 at 6:25 pm    garden girl Says:

    I fought fingernail fungus for many, many years, and it worsened after a job requiring my hands to be in water more often. I have tried various medications, mostly topical. Success was achieved when I diligently applied apple cider vinegar with a dropper. (I kept a small amount in a blue glass jar with a glass medicine dropper) (I’m not sure the glass had an effect, but that regime worked for me! Also, I just recently read the same solution, along with the Vicks Vaporub.

  9. June 28th, 2007 at 7:17 pm    Dan Says:

    My Bowen Therapist says his patients have had success with the following treatment and it only takes 7 days. Simply soak or saturate the infected toenails in garlic oil (preferrably from fresh raw garlic bulbs). Cleaning the area with soap and reapplying at least twice a day. I’ve found this hard to do consistantly for a week but I’ve seen an improvement. Note: I found that it is much better to trim the nail as close as possible without hurting yourself, that way everytime you clean the infection you can apply fresh new oil to the infected area.



 






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