The best toenail fungus treatment option is laser treatment. There are many treatment options that people can choose from. The best way to find out what treatment works best for you would be to know the most common treatment options. There are topical solutions, oral medications, and some people even consider toenail removal as a form of treatment. Each one works differently, but none of these options works better than laser treatment.
What causes toenail fungus?
Toenail fungus is usually caused by fungi called dermatophytes that infect the skin beneath the nail. Yeast is another common name. Toenails are especially vulnerable to these types of infections. Especially when your bare feet are on damp surfaces such as showers, swimming pools, and locker rooms. Also, if you have athlete’s foot, the infection can spread to the nails.
Wearing sneakers or work shoes for extended periods can also contribute to infection. This is due to your feet being damp from perspiration or heat. Additionally, if your shoes are very small and put pressure on your toes, they can damage the nail bed, making it more susceptible to fungal infections.
People with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or circulatory problems, also may be more prone to toenail infections. This might be because their immune systems are weaker.
What are the symptoms of Toenail Fungus?
Toenail fungus symptoms develop slowly over time and may go unnoticed or ignored at first.
Most common symptoms include:
- Yellow discoloration of the nail
- White spots on nails
- Brittle nails
- Darkening or clouding of nails
- A lack of shine
- Pain in the tips of the toes
- Foul odor (cheese-like smell)
- Separation of the nail from the nail bed
- Nail thickening
- Distorted nail shape
How to Prevent Toenail Fungus?
Follow these steps to help keep your toenails clear of fungus:
- Wash your feet with soap and water and dry them thoroughly.
- Wear flip-flops in locker rooms and public areas.
- Wear shoes that are not too snug and are made of breathable materials.
- Change moist socks or shoes as soon as possible and keep your feet dry.
- Disinfect nail clippers and home pedicure tools. You may do this by boiling your tools or soaking them in an alcohol solution.
- If you get pedicures, ensure that your salon follows proper disinfection procedures, and wash and dry your feet when you return home.
- Use antifungal nail polish if nail polish cannot be avoided.
- If you get athlete’s foot, treat the infection asap.
What are the best treatment options for toenail fungus?
Toenail fungus usually requires diligent treatment to be successful. If you catch toenail fungus early on it may respond to home treatments. Apply the treatment to the affected nail several times daily; you may need to treat it for six months or more to clear the infection.
Most common at-home treatments:
- Tea tree oil
- eucalyptus oil
- Ozonized sunflower oil
- Baking soda
- Vicks VapoRub
- Vinegar
- Hydrogen peroxide
Some popular over-the-counter treatments for toenail fungus include creams, ointments, sprays, and liquids. You may find a lot of these products at your local pharmacy near you.
Topical Solutions as treatment
Topical solutions are a very common form of treatment options, but it is not the best toenail fungus treatment option. They only have about a 5 percent to 10 percent cure rate. Although it is very easy to find topical solutions, they take a very long time to see any results. The reason behind this is that the topical solutions can not penetrate all the way through the nail to kill all the fungus. As a result, many people spend years putting on topical solutions in the hope that they will see results. Our nail doctors recommend using our post-treatment care package after laser treatment is performed to ensure optimal results.
Oral Medication as treatment
Oral medications are another form of treatment. This is not considered the best toenail fungus treatment because these medications can cause health risks. Oral medication does have a higher cure rate than topical medications. Although it has a higher cure rate, 60 percent, than topical solutions, it can cause liver toxicity. You would need constant blood tests to ensure your liver isn’t being damaged. It can be very tedious. Also, it can be more dangerous if you have any other underlying medical conditions. This is why our nail doctors do not recommend oral medication.
Nail Removal as Toenail Fungus Treatment
Toenail removal treatment is not recommended by our doctors as it does not kill the fungus at all. When doctors remove toenails, toenail fungus still lives on the nail bed, underneath the nail. Although you remove the nail, it does not help cure the toenail fungus. This is not the best toenail fungus treatment option because there is little to no guarantee that your nail will grow back to the same condition as it was.
Best Toenail Fungus Treatment
The best toenail fungus treatment option is laser treatment. If you have caught nail fungus, it can be easily treated using the FDA-approved PinPointe laser, which typically only takes one treatment. Other treatments like topical solutions and oral medication, are not as effective. Topical solutions have a very low cure rate. This is because the solution does not penetrate all the way through the nail bed. This is because it can lead to liver toxicity. You would need to have consistent blood tests throughout the course of taking the medication.
Our nail doctor in Leesburg, VA, recommends this treatment for toenail fungus. The PinPointe Laser treatment has the highest cure rate in the market. It has no side effects and no recovery period. As a result, you can go about your daily activities right after the treatment. Also, there’s no pain.
If you have any signs of nail fungus, call us at 800-672-0625 at our Leesburg, VA location, or visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.
