Thick Toenails

Thick toenails are often assumed to be caused by the growth of fungus under the toenails and in the toenail itself. In many cases, this assumption is correct, however there are other things that will make a toenail look thick and distorted – injury to the root of the nail can do it temporarily, while severe or repeated injury can permanently distort a nail. People who engage in sports such as soccer can experience this kind of damage.

Skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema will distort a nail as well if the area around the nails is affected. This is because nails are really made up of dead skin cells that have been stacked together very tightly. Just as the skin becomes inflamed and irritated by a skin condition, the tissues around the root of the nail where the nail is produced become inflamed and this can be the cause of thick toenails.

If the problem is being caused by a fungus, other signs are usually present. Before thick toenails developed, there was probably some yellowish or brownish discoloration of otherwise healthy looking nail. The nail may have begun to separate from the nail bed and the discolorations and separation may have moved gradually from the nail tip toward the root. A fungus, growing in the nail bed and gradually sending out hyphae into the substance of the nail causes these typical signs and is often the cause of thick toenails.

Regardless of what is causing the problem, thick toenails can be reduced somewhat by careful filing and trimming. A nail file or emery board used against the upper surface of the nail will wear way some of the nail material. This is a good approach for both cosmetic and health reasons: the nail will look better, feel more comfortable in a shoe, and, if fungus turns out to be the cause of thick toenails, it will be easier to treat if the nail is thinner.

Topical treatments for fungal toenail infections are often not very effective because they don’t soak into thick toenails very well. The challenge is to get the nail as thin as possible and then apply a preparation that has superior ability to penetrate down through the layers and contact the fungus. Over the counter pharmaceutical preparations are well known to be relative ineffective when fungus is the cause of thick toenails, however, some commercially available natural essential oils and other topical products have been found to have better penetration qualities. These include Tea tree oil and other essential oils such as oregano oil. These and other natural remedies may be the home cures of the future for fungal nail infections.

Hydrogen Peroxide for Foot Fungus

Hydrogen peroxide for foot fungus is one of the common home remedies for this affliction. It is a common household disinfectant, long used to clean minor cuts and scratches, and even popular for disinfecting cutting boards and kitchen utensils. Intuitively, it makes sense that it might be good for killing fungus. This article discusses the use of hydrogen peroxide as a home cure for fungal infections of the feet, and also describes several alternative home remedies that are used in similar ways. If you have foot fungus, read on.

It's quite common to have both athlete's foot and nail fungus: infection often starts in the nails and spreads to the surrounding skin and between the toes. Or, it may begin on the skin, particularly in the crevice between the toes where conditions are warm and often damp, then progress to the nails. Whichever way it goes, you can choose a fungal remedy to treat both at once. Popular home remedies include soaking the feet in vinegar, dilute bleach, or hydrogen peroxide for foot fungus.

Hydrogen peroxide for foot fungus may work, although scientific studies have not been done to confirm its usefulness. Use a 3% solution, as the stronger preparations are less safe and may cause skin reactions. Approaches include soaking in the peroxide, wiping onto the affected areas several times daily, or spraying it on and allowing it to dry. It is likely to produce results much faster for athletes foot fungus than for a nail infection. On thing is undeniable: as a foot fungus remedy, it is one of the cheapest.

Ordinary white vinegar is very affordable as well, and is perhaps a more popular treatment than hydrogen peroxide for foot fungus. The approach here is to soak the feet for 20 to 30 minutes every day until the problem clears up. If you have the time for this foot fungus remedy (you could do it while watching the news or reading the paper), this would treat both athletes foot , and fungal nails.

Use dilute bleach in the same way as the vinegar foot fungus remedy. Be careful handling concentrated bleach as it is corrosive to skin, and always dilute it before putting your feet in it. Like the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide for foot fungus, it will act on both athlete’s foot and nail fungus at the same time.

Foot Fungus Remedy

If you search for a foot fungus remedy on the internet, you will be overwhelmed by the amount of information you find there, and also probably overwhelmed by the number of products being sold for this common problem. The reason for this is simple: many people have onychomycosis (fungal nail infections), or athlete's foot, and many people spend a great deal of time and money trying to get rid of the problem.

It's safe to say that virtually all types of foot fungus remedy come with the same caveat: they take a long time and they may not work. Why the infections are so fickle in their response to treatment is unclear. The best advice is probably to choose a remedy that you can afford, that you have some faith in, and with a treatment regimen that you can follow faithfully for a long period of time. If you're going to tire of sitting with your feet in basin for 30 minutes a day after a week, don't choose a treatment that requires this.

A foot fungus remedy that is sold on the internet is likely to be a natural remedy. Some prescription drugs are available by mail order, with physician approval included as part of the deal, but we don't recommend this - it's a good idea to actually visit a doctor to get the diagnosis confirmed, and purchase a prescription drug from a reputable source. Over the counter lotions and creams , and natural products made from natural ingredients do not require a prescription.

The topical over the counter fungal creams and ointments that can be purchased in pharmacies are evidently quite effective for treating fungal skin infections, but no one recommends them for treatment of nail fungus. they don't penetrate the nail sufficiently to have any positive effect. Though there is no guarantee with the natural remedies either, there is growing scientific evidence that a few of the common natural ingredients do have antifungal properties, and may be a good choice for a foot fungus remedy.

These topical preparations typically contain essential oils form herbs and trees and can penetrate better through the layers of dead cells that make up a tough nail. Always check whether it’s recommended to apply the preparation directly to skin as there may be skin sensitivity issues, and never take any of these preparations orally unless you are absolutely sure the one you have is meant to be used that way as a foot fungus remedy.

Athletes Foot Fungus

The athletes foot fungus is the same fungus that causes onychomycosis, or toenail fungal infections. In reality, there is not just one fungus that can do this, though a couple of species account for most infections. A group of fungi, collectively known as dermatophytes, cause fungal infection of the hair, nails, and skin.

It's common for fungus that has invaded the toenails to spread to the skin, or for it to spread in the other direction - from the skin to the nails. Odds are, if you have athlete's foot fungus and fungal toenails, the same fungus is causing the problem in both places. And since it is affecting the skin, it is almost certainly one of the common types of foot fungus - the dermatophytes. There are some other environmental fungi that occasionally infect the nails, but they do not invade the skin.

The good thing about this is that, in many cases, you can treat both athletes foot fungus and nail fungus with the same remedy. In general, the fungus remedies don't distinguish between the different types of foot fungus, operating on the assumption that what kills one will kill them all. With some remedies you may need to make adjustments; for example, applying pure Tea tree oil may be okay for nails, but you could have a problem with skin sensitivity if you don't dilute it with a carrier oil before applying it to your skin. Similarly, if you're using hydrogen peroxide for foot fungus, spraying on the skin is probably fine, but to penetrate an infected toenail, you'll need to soak.

The easiest choices will be treatments that will work for both types of foot fungus - the athletes foot fungus and the nail infection, with one application. Penetration of the nail by the remedy is always a problem, so choose a soaking method, which will soften the nail, or an oily topical treatment, and plan to spend some time filing down the nail and removing bits that break off so that there is less thickness for the remedy to get through.

The athletes foot fungus will probably clear up much faster than the nail infection because the skin infection is superficial and the treatment easily contacts the fungus there. To get rid of both types of foot fungus, however, you will have to keep up the treatment until the nails look good as well. Nail fungal infections are notorious for the length of time they take to resolve. If your athletes foot fungus is gone and there is any sign of improvement in the nails, the treatment is working. Keep it up and you will eventually succeed.

Vapor Rub and Toenail Fungus

If you’ve heard of a vapor rub for toenail fungus, you may be envisioning holding your feet over a steaming basin while someone massages your toes, or spending relaxing time in a sauna. In fact, this home remedy for fungal nail infections is not quite so exotic. It involves the regular application of a substance that many of us met as children when we had head colds. Your mother may have smeared Vicks VapoRub on your chest, or put it in a vaporizer to help clear your breathing passages. Now, if you a fungal nail infection, you may want to apply it to your toenails.

The vapor rub and toenail fungus home remedy has a simple basis: this oily substance softens and penetrates the nail, and some ingredient (is it menthol, perhaps?) kills the fungus. Some anecdotal reports claim that this remedy works well, others claim that it does not work. Still others recommend it for children, but not for adults. It might be possible to sort all this out by remembering that topical treatments for nail fungus infection don’t work too well if the treatment doesn’t reach the fungus.

Children’s toenails are thinner that adult’s nails, so it makes sense that the vapor rub and toenail fungus remedy works better for them. Likewise, adults whose infections are not too far advanced, that is, the nail is not yet thickened by the disruptive growth of the fungus, may have better success with Vicks VapoRub. When the nail fungus infection has distorted the nail, and buried the fungus deep in a flaking crumbling shield, the Vicks probably doesn’t contact the lower layers, therefore it doesn’t work. In cases like this, it will be helpful to file away the thickness of the nail as much as possible to enhance penetration.

Another reason that the vapor rub and toenail fungus remedy doesn’t always work could be that it is very effective against some of the types of fungus that cause nail fungus infection, but less effective, or even useless against other types. While the majority of fungal nail infections are caused by one or two specific fungi, quite a number of others infect nails less commonly. Even the clinically tested prescription drugs have not been evaluated against all of them.

There's only one way to find out if the vapor rub and toenail fungus remedy will work for you: buy some and apply it several times each day and wait for improvement. If you decide to try it, you can at least be thankful that Vicks VapoRub is inexpensive and very easy to obtain.

Toenail Fungus Remedies

Toenail fungus remedies range from surgical removal of infected nails to simple application of an everyday substance thought to have some antifungal properties. Many people search for a traditional treatment, or a natural product because the prescription drugs are very expensive, or because they have heard that the prescription drugs have unpleasant and dangerous side effects. Fortunately, there are many such alternatives that they can try.

Toenail fungus remedies are fickle however, and fungus toenail home remedy is no exception. Most treatments seem to have as many failures as they do successes, and it is unclear why. It could be because not all fungal nail infections are caused by the same fungus: perhaps remedies tend to work on some fungi but not on others. It is also true that, while some people are very focused on the treatment and follow instructions very carefully, other people have busy lives and little time, or they give up too soon, or they don't use the treatment correctly. If you doubt your ability to stick with it, but you can't stomach the idea of opting for a prescription drug, you could try a holistic remedy for toenail fungus.

The holistic toenail fungus remedies rely on a variety of substances from nature that are thought to have antifungal properties. There is some scientific evidence in support of a fungus toenail home remedy that uses some these natural substances. Some examples are Pau d'Arco, a tea made from the inner bark of the Brazilian LaPacho tree; and Tea tree oil, an essential oil derived from the leaves and stems of the Australian Tea tree. Tea tree oil is a common ingredient in a holistic remedy for toenail fungus.

A holistic remedy for toenail fungus is usually applied topically, although a few are oral toenail fungus remedies (Pau d'Arco can be enjoyed as tea, or you can soak in it, or both). Tea tree oil is always used topically - it should never be taken by mouth - but it may be combined with an oral preparation. If your chosen fungus toenail home remedy promises a quick cure, remember that toenails grow very slowly and your fungal nail infection will not be both gone and forgotten until the whole nail grows out and is replaced by beautiful health nail. Choose a treatment you think you can stay with for the long term, and get busy.

Home Treatment for Toenail Fungus

Home treatment for toenail fungus has probably been around as long as there were homes and shoes. At least in North America today, fungal nail infection (onychomycosis) is the most common nail disorder in adults. Keeping our feet enclosed in airless shoes for much of the year contributes to the problem. When feet get damp from sweat, ideal conditions are created for fungus. Still, onychomycosis is common in warm climates too, where shoes tend to be more airy.

Traditional toenail fungus home treatment involves a whole set of measures that go together to beat the invader. First of all, no matter what specific remedy you use, you'll need to look after your socks and shoes, and of course, your feet. Home treatment for toenail fungus begins with getting rid of the source of the fungus: launder your socks very thoroughly and change them daily. Dust your shoes with antifungal powder - some people advocate putting them in the freezer to kill fungal spores (however, resistant spores may well survive this treatment, so don't rely on it too much). Wash your feet as often as you can, then dry them carefully, taking care to dry between the toes and around the nails. Use a hair dryer if you have one.

Trim your toenails often to keep them short and comfortable. Clean underneath them - dirt lodged under the toenails can contain fungal spores and give them a place to start growing. As part of your home treatment for toenail fungus, tend to any breaks in the skin of your feet, particularly any that are near the nail. treat cracked feet with lotion and apply an antiseptic ointment anywhere the skin looks inflamed. Breaks in the skin provide a route of entry for fungus and other harmful organisms, and avoiding secondary infection assists with home treatment for toenail fungus.

Finally, you will need to choose a specific toenail fungus home treatment. This could mean soaking your feet in a traditional antifungal solution - it might be straight or dilute white vinegar, dilute bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or some other inspired concoction. Alternative home treatment for toenail fungus requires the regular application of something like VicksVapoRub, Listerine mouthwash, or Tea Tree oil. There are also a number of commercially available products marketed by natural healers that augment home treatment for toenail fungus.

Whatever you use as a toenail fungus home treatment, plan to keep at it for a long period of time: onychomycosis does not clear up quickly or easily. Be persistent - follow instructions carefully, and don't skip days. The more conscientious you are, the more likely it is to work.

Fungus Toenail Treatments

This article discusses the variety of fungus toenail treatments available to consumers. It divides the various options into four categories: prescription drugs, over the counter (OTC) conventional treatments, natural healing remedies, and traditional home remedies.

None of the remedies discussed here have proven to be 100 percent effective treatment for toenail fungus. For the prescription drugs and some natural healing remedies, the results of clinical trials and/or other scientific studies are available. For most of the traditional home remedies, anecdotal evidence is all we have - that is, the reports by people who have used them that they do work. OTC conventional products are basically not recommended by anyone for the treatment of fungal nail infections.

Oral prescription medications include Lamisil (terbinafine), Sporanox (itraconazole), and Diflucan (fluconazole). Lamisil appears to be the most effective treatment for toenail fungus in this group. While these treatment regimens have the advantage of being relatively easy, they do have rare severe side effects, and they are quite expensive if you have to pay for them out of pocket. People taking these fungus toenail treatments should be monitored for toxicity due to the drugs. There is one topical prescription drug available: Penlac (ciclopirox) nail lacquer is painted directly onto the affected nails, but can only be used when the infection is not advanced.

OTC antifungal ointments, creams and lotions may work quite well for fungal skin infections, but they are not recommended for nails simply because they are not an effective treatment for toenail fungus. They are applied to the nail topically, and they don't penetrate the thick nail to kill the fungus, which is protected in the nail bed below the nail. If you want to try one of these medications, it might be a good idea to combine it with one of the other types of remedy to increase the probability of success.

There are many natural healing remedies available today to consumers; some of them incorporate an oral product. Some of these products may be effective treatment for toenail fungus. Perhaps the most promising ingredient in natural remedies is the essential oil, Tea tree oil, which is produced in Australia. Studies of this extract are encouraging, and a number of natural remedies contain it, blended with other herbal ingredients. Tea tree oil is even available in pure form, however there is some risk of skin sensitivity so this may not be best way to use it. Other natural remedies may be worthwhile fungus toenail treatments, but scientific evidence for or against them is generally lacking, simply because the research has not been done.

Finally, there are a lot of traditional, or simply inventive, home fungus toenail treatments. They include soaking the feet in various solutions, or applying substances that are thought to be antifungal. The substances employed include chlorine bleach, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, dark beer combined with a lactobacillus, Vicks VapoRub, Listerine mouthwash, DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), and others. Some people swear by a drink of apple cider vinegar, twice daily, to cure and prevent fungal toenail infections. Again, the primary focus for an effective treatment for toenail fungus rests with getting the treatment beyond the nail to the fungus.

Toenail Abnormalities

Toenail abnormalities can be caused by a number of things, but they are frequently caused by a fungal infection. Fungal spores get on the feet and can get past the skin through tiny cuts and scratches. They often get in when they lodge under the toenail and find themselves in a warm moist environment. They begin to grow there, and soon make their way under the toenail. Ingrown toenails, hangnails and any other injury to the skin around the nail also allow fungi to get in under the nail.

It follows, then, that to avoid toenail problems, you should look after your feet more carefully than most of us do. Wash your feet frequently, dry them carefully, and give them lots of fresh air. Though some people believe that always wearing shoes is a good way to avoid foot problems and toenail abnormalities, the opposite may be true: as long as there is minimal risk of foot injury, bare feet are probably the happiest feet. Do use common sense, however, and wear shoes whenever there is a risk of injury, and in public places.

Pay attention to your shoes as well - toenail abnormalities can result from a shoe that doesn't fit properly, or doesn't protect the toenails from injury, and the warm, and sometimes damp environment in an enclosed shoe is ideal for the survival of fungal spores. As well, toenail disease can recur if fungal spores remain in the shoes after you have had treatment for your toenail problems. Dusting shoes with an antifungal powder can help avoid picking up spores that way. It should be obvious that buying second hand shoes, or wearing shoes that have been worn by someone else presents a risk for picking up a fungal toenail infection.

Treatment of toenail disease depends on what is causing the toenail abnormalities. When fungus is the cause, treatment depends on applying an antifungal substance to the affected nails, or taking some antifungal agent by mouth. Most prescription drugs for fungal toenail problems are oral medications, while most home remedies and natural treatments are topical remedies, though there are exceptions in both groups. None work 100 percent of the time, but many seem to provide good results for some people. Successful treatment of fungal toenail abnormalities depends on a correct diagnosis and conscientious adherence to instructions for treatment, regardless of which treatment is chosen.

Yellow Toenails

Yellow toenails are usually a sign of trouble to come. Although harmless bacterial colonization can cause a color change in nails (usually green), and there is a rare condition called yellow nail syndrome, by far the most common cause of yellowish or brownish discoloration in the toenails is fungus infection. Many fungi produce colored pigments when they are growing well - Penicillium, for instance, the fungus that produces penicillin, commonly produces a deep green pigment. The fungi that like to grow in nails commonly produce yellowish or brownish colors.

To determine whether, in your case, a fungal infection is the reason for yellow toenails, you should visit your doctor and get a professional diagnosis. Since fungal nail infections are relatively common, your doctor will have seen yellow toenails before, and will be able to judge whether your nails are infected with fungus or whether you have some other problem that requires different treatment. If there is still doubt, a sample of your yellowish toenail can be taken and sent to the laboratory for testing.

Yellow toenails are not necessarily uniformly colored. Only some toenails may be affected - sometimes only one - and the fungus may only be growing in part of the nail, producing a yellow toenail streak. Untreated, infections that involve only part of the nail will usually spread to cover the whole nail, and generally advance towards the nail root over time. Once you know for sure that fungus is the reason for yellow toenails in your case, don't delay treatment. Infections are more easily treated if they do not involve the lunula (the whitish crescent shaped area near the cuticle).

You will have to decide between various types of treatment for yellow toenails. Your doctor can prescribe an oral medication that is taken daily for a few months to a year to get rid of the infection. Many people avoid the oral prescription drugs because they are expensive, and because of the potential for unpleasant side effects. There is also a topical prescription nail lacquer that is painted on, but this can only be used for yellow toenails, or a yellow toenail streak that does not involve the lunula (the whitish crescent-shaped region near the cuticle).

Besides the prescription drugs, natural remedies probably work better than over the counter antifungals for yellow toenails and any yellow toenail streak. This is because topical ointments and lotions don't get through the nail to kill the fungus. Natural and home remedies attempt to soften the nail for better penetration, and often contain natural ingredients that have been found to be effective against fungus. Some are even backed up by scientific study.

Black Fungus Under Fingernails

Black fungus under fingernails is about the last thing that anyone would want, yet fungal nail infection is not at all uncommon. Fungal fingernail infection happens when fungal spores get in under the fingernails and start to grow there. Before long fungal hyphae (slender branching stalks of fungal growth) are wending their way back from the tip of the nail toward the cuticle, flourishing in the warm moist environment of the nail bed and deriving nourishment from the finger nail itself. Not all fungi produce a black color however: a yellow or brown color is even more typical.

A subtle yellowish tinge to the nail is often the first sign of fungal nail infection and it usually starts on one or more toenails. Stronger colors, such as dark brown or black, develop over time as the fungus matures and begins producing spores. Furthermore, there is great variation in what nail fungus looks like, and some infections simply have a white or cream color. Black fungus under fingernails is not really a typical fingernail infection.

What nail fungus looks like depends on a variety of factors: what type of fungus is growing in the nail, how far advanced the infection is, which parts of the nail are affected, and whether there have been any attempts at treatment. Black fungus under fingernails would usually be a fairly advanced infection. Other symptoms in advanced infection include nails that are thick and deformed, crumbling or flaking nails that wear away quickly, painful toes and fingertips, peeling skin around the affected nails.

If you have black fungus under fingernails, and your toenails are not infected, you may have caught it when your hands came in contact with fungal elements in the soil, or in decaying vegetation. It is always a good idea to wear gardening gloves when you are working in the garden, and to clean your nails thoroughly if dirt lodges under them. Be wary, too, of any little cuts and scratches you get on your hands while you are working outside: these make it easier for any harmful organism, including fungi to invade your nails and skin. Places to pick up a nail fungus include contact with someone else's nail infection, and damp public places such as pools and public showers stalls. Manicures and pedicures in nail spas have also been known to spread fungus infections. Take care of your nails and keep in mind what nail fungus looks like, so you can recognize it quickly and get treatment before it gets too bad.

Fingernail Discoloration

Fingernail discoloration is usually the first visible sign of a fungal fingernail infection. Indeed, it is usually the first symptom of any kind, since at such an early stage, a fungal infection will not be causing any discomfort. The discoloration is generally yellow or brown, and will gradually get worse if the infection progresses. Fungus, however, is not the only thing that can cause a yellowish or brownish color change in the nails. If you notice fingernail discoloration, don't jump to quick conclusions.

Most often, discolored toenails, and fingernail discoloration is caused by fungal nail infection (onychomycosis). Some estimates say the one in ten people in North America suffer from onychomycosis, so it is far from rare. If only some nails are affected, and the color change is something new, the presumption that fungus is the cause is more likely to be correct. Even if the affected nails look entirely typical of onychomycosis, however, it's a good idea to get a proper diagnosis.

If the only sign of trouble is discolored toenails, and the diagnosis is certain, it's a good idea to start treatment right away - the less advanced the infection is, the easier it will be to treat. It will also be easier to prevent the infection spreading to other nails: fungus usually invades the toe nails first, then fingernail discoloration marks its spread to the hands. Early treatment can also prevent complications.

None of the available remedies for onychomycosis work for everybody, but all work best if treatment instructions are carefully followed - and they all take time, even for simple discolored toenails. Don't just opt for an over the counter (OTC) lotion or ointment: especially while your nail is still relatively intact, these treatments are unlikely to penetrate the nail sufficiently to kill the fungus. Oral prescription medication is available, which contacts the fungus from inside the body, and a few topical natural remedies have been formulated to give good nail penetration. Many of the home remedies involve soaking the nails in solution, which softens the nails and allows better penetration of a traditional treatment. Fingernail discoloration may clear up faster than discolored toenails.

Although the human immune system does occasionally fight off early onychomycosis on its own, a wait-and-see approach is likely to just lead to a worsening fungal nail infection. Caught early, the infection can be cleared up relatively easily and quickly. There are many treatment options to choose from: do some searching and choose one that's right for you.

Fingernail Fungus Picture

Many people try to confirm their fears of nail fungus infection by comparing their nails to a fingernail fungus picture. While it can be very useful to do this, it is also somewhat dangerous: a photograph doesn't tell the whole story and other types of nail disease can look similar enough to nail fungus to cause considerable confusion. The best course of action is to have an unhealthy nail examined by a physician.

A physician brings years of experience and medical training to the task of diagnosing infections. He or she also knows something about other nail disorders that give a fingernail fungus picture, but are caused by something else. A physician can take samples and order laboratory tests to get the diagnosis confirmed, or refer you to a specialist if necessary. Your physician may well have pictures of fingernail fungus and other nail disorders that you can study and compare with his or her guidance.

Keeping in mind that a visit to your physician will provide you with information and resources that a fingernail fungus picture never can, you will find many excellent pictures of fingernail fungus on the internet just by typing "nail fungus photo" in the Google search bar. A good site to visit is the Hardin Library for Health Sciences. Try to find photographs of other nail disorders as well, for comparison. (You should be able to find these at the Hardin Library as well.)

The fungi that cause nail infection break down the nail and sometimes spread to surrounding skin. When the skin is damaged by spreading fungus infection, or by other causes, the risk of other organisms, such as harmful bacteria, invading is also increased (think of any break in the skin and the necessity of keeping it clean so that it doesn't become infected). Even if invading bacteria are not causing a problem, they can change the fingernail fungus picture. Pseudomonas, for example, a bacteria that often colonizes nails, produces a green color, instead of the typical green or black of fungus. Stock pictures of fingernail fungus are unlikely to show such a combination.

So when it comes to pictures of fingernail fungus, a picture may speak a thousand words but it doesn't always speak the truth. Nail diseases can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. If you want to get rid of the problem in the least possible amount of time, don't rely on a fingernail fungus picture to tell you what is wrong. See your physician and get a proper diagnosis.

Fingernail infection

There is something quite horrific about a fungal fingernail infection: no one likes to think that there is a fungus growing in, or under, their fingernail. Fungus actually rarely infects people because fungi are adapted for growing on dead and decaying organic material. The human immune system is able to fight off most fungi that it comes in contact with. Fingernails and toenails (and hair) are the notable exception to this rule because the cells that make up fingernails are not alive. They are dead cells packed tightly together to provide protection for the fingertips. Unfortunately, fungi can live on this dead material, and fungal fingernail infections are not uncommon.

Fungal toenail infections are more common still. The feet are kept wrapped up in socks and enclosed in shoes for long periods of time. They get hot and sweaty, are not washed nearly as often as hands are, and come in more frequent contact with the earth and the damp flooring in wet public places such as swimming pools. These factors make it more likely that the toenails will come in contact with fungi, and more likely that a fungus will be able to set up an infection. Fungal nail infections usually start on the feet - fingernail infection occurs later, when the fungus spreads from the feet to the hands.

Fingernail infection and toenail infections are treated in the same way. Antifungal treatments that are taken by mouth are not common, but there are few among the prescription drugs, and a few more that are either natural remedies, or home remedies. If you are interested in trying something that doesn't require a prescription, look into the apple cider vinegar home remedy: taking a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar twice a day reportedly clears up fungal nail infections - but tastes pretty bad. In a more general sense, many people simply advocate a healthy diet and lifestyle: the boost that healthy living can give to an immune system may clear up the problem without other measures. A third type of oral remedy is Leucatin, a natural healing product that includes an herbal capsule taken by mouth combined with a topical solution that is applied directly to the toenail or fingernail infection.

Topical treatments for fungal fingernail infection, or toenail infections, are much more common than oral ones. There is only one topical prescription drug, a nail lacquer called Penlac. Most over the counter nail lotions don’t seem to work very well because they don’t penetrate the nail to get at the fungus. A few natural remedies show some promise: Tea tree oil blended with other essential oils and the topical solution that come with Leucatin seem to work for many people. Many people also like old home remedies, like soaking your nails in vinegar, dilute bleach, or hydrogen peroxide. When it comes to treating fungal fingernail infections, a lack of choices is not the problem – the problem is finding something that really works.

Fingernail Disorders

Although most people have healthy, attractive nails, there are various fingernail disorders that can cause considerable distress. Dermatologists (skin specialists) are familiar with these disorders and can help with a diagnosis. The most common nail disorder, however, is probably fungal infection of the nail, or onychomycosis.

Onychomycosis can be broken down into different categories of toe- and fingernail diseases: those that are caused by dermatophytes, those that are caused by saprophytes, and those that are really yeast infections. Dermatophytes are fungi that actually prefer to grow on the nails, skin, and hair. Some of them are specifically adapted to humans, while others commonly infect animals as well. They cause skin infection, such as athlete's foot, and ringworm, as well as toe- and fingernail disorders.

The saprophytes are more accidental causes of fingernail disorders. Present in the environment, they generally live in damp decaying organic material and infect nails only when the opportunity arises. Although some of them are known to cause tissue infection from time to time, as well as fingernail diseases, they do not generally infect the skin. Because these fungi are not dermatophytes, drugs and remedies for onychomycosis may not be tested against them.

Finally, there are the yeasts, causes of toenail and fingernail diseases, as well as vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush, eye infections, and various other conditions. Chief among the yeasts infecting people is Candida albicans, although other species can also do it, particularly in a susceptible individual. Incidentally, we can also thank these organisms for bread and beer, so tissue infections and fingernail disorders are not their only claim to fame. Like the saprophytes described above, these causes of nail infection may require a different treatment approach.

Before choosing any type of treatment for fingernail disorders, sufferers are wise to see a professional – either a medical doctor or a dermatologist – to have the condition properly diagnosed. These professionals can also arrange for laboratory testing to confirm fungal infection, and to properly identify the fungus causing the problem. It may well be that many treatment failures can be attributed to the wrong initial self-diagnosis. Identification of fingernail diseases is best left in the hands of professionals.

Symptoms of Fingernail Fungus

One of the earliest symptoms of fingernail fungus is a yellowish or brownish discoloration of the fingernail. It's mild, and may go unnoticed, especially if you wear nail polish, but it will likely progress over time. The color change is the result of the fungus producing colored pigments as it grows and gets established under the fingernail.

Fungus grows slowly in fingernails and toenails, so the yellow color may be the only sign of infection you see for quite a while. It's likely that in some instances, the body's immune system succeeds in fighting off the fungal infection: if this happens, the discoloration will go away. The immune system finds it hard to fight the fungus, however, because the growth is actually extending into the nail itself, where antibodies and immune cells can't go. In many cases, therefore, the fungus grows unchecked, and before too long, more symptoms of fingernail fungus appear.

More advanced symptoms of fingernail fungus occur when the nail starts to come apart. Fingernails and toenails are actually made up of dead cells, similar to skin cells: at the root of the nail, the dead cells are piled in layers, like many layers of autumn leaves, packed tightly together. As more and more nail forms at the root, it pushes the rest of the nail out onto the nail bed. When fungus begins to grow through these layers of cells, they come away from each other - that is why one of the symptoms of fingernail fungus is a thickened flaky nail. The discoloration may get worse as well because there is more growth of fungus there, and more pigment being produced.

Fingernails and toenails, and hair, contain a protein called keratin. The outer layer of dead skin cells all over our bodies also contains this protein: it serves as a horny protective covering for our skin. This protein is the main nutrient source for the types of fungi that grow on human skin and hair, and this explains why fungal nail infections frequently spread to the surrounding skin. Thus, one of the symptoms of fingernail fungus, especially if it has been untreated for a while, is flaking, scaling skin, and even redness and inflammation of the fingers and toes around infected nails.

Fingernail fungas

If you think you have a fingernail fungas infection, you should not wait too long before doing something about it. This is not because the infection is dangerous; in fact, fungal infections of the fingernails and toenails can remain for a very long time without causing any discomfort or spreading through the body (they can spread to nearby skin, however). The reason you should act quickly is that these infections tend to be very ugly, and the longer you leave it, the uglier it will be, and the harder it will be to get rid of.

The first step is to visit your doctor and get a proper diagnosis. Not all nail abnormalities are caused by nail fungas and you need to be sure you are treating the right thing. Your doctor may give you a visual diagnosis, but the best course is usually to take a sample of the nail and send it to the medical laboratory for fungal testing. A sample can be obtained by gently filing away fragments of the nail (abnormal looking portions should be chosen). If the fingernail fungas is already advanced, pieces may be flaking off, and larger portions can be sampled without causing undue discomfort.

Mycology labs culture fingernail fungas - they put the pieces of your nail on a plate of something that fungi like to grow on, and wait to see if anything grows. Remember that your nail fungas is a slow grower. It will grow slowly in the lab as well, so it may be more than a month before you get the results of the tests. While you wait, follow your doctor's advice with respect to caring for your infection.

There are various treatment options for fingernail fungas. You can get a prescription drug from your doctor. Most of these are oral medications, however, Penlac nail lacquer is painted on like polish. Bear in mind, however, that these drugs are very expensive, and may have harmful side effects. There are also over the counter topical remedies and a number of proprietary natural remedies that you can purchase, as well as a collection of home remedies passed down by word of mouth. All of these treatments are backed up by personal accounts of success, but none works 100 percent of the time. At present, the topical non-prescription nail fungas remedies that seem to have the best record, backed up by some scientific study, are those that contain Tea tree oil, the distilled oil of the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree.

Discuss your treatment choices with your doctor, your local pharmacist, even an alternative healer if you are interested in trying a natural remedy, but don't put it off - the sooner you launch a counterattack on fingernail fungus, the better.

Fingernail fungus

Fingernail fungus is an unsightly and embarrassing infection that is quite common and notoriously hard to get rid of. Our bodies are usually efficient at fighting off fungal infections: fungi's main activity is to help break down dead material such as decomposing plant and animal material and anything else organic that is not living. Intact living tissues of both plants and animals have immunity and don't allow fungi to get a foothold. Finger- and toenails, hair, horn and hooves are different: they are not living tissue, and some types of fungi have adapted to survive quite well in these substances. Most of them fall into a category we call dermatophytes.

The same characteristic that allows fungi to establish themselves in nails makes finger nail fungus hard to get rid of: the nonliving nails do not mount any immune response, and the body's immune system, along with any medication applied externally, cannot reach the fingernail fungus where it grows protected inside the matrix of the nail. The last straw is that our fingers and toes go on producing more nails, each one perpetually growing like a conveyor belt in a cafeteria, so there is always a new food supply to keep the infection going. Nails grow very slowly, but so does fungus. It's a relationship that works.

It works for the fingernail fungus, but not for us, and generations of finger nail fungus sufferers have tried to devise ways of getting at the infection and knocking it out. Many home remedies are intuitive. We all know that soaking in liquid softens nails, and a soft nail should allow better penetration of a topical remedy. Acid conditions discourage fungi as well, so soaking in vinegar should be more effective than soaking in water. Solutions that are known to be disinfectants, like dilute chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and Listerine mouthwash, have also been used as soaking solutions.

Another way to soften a nail to treat finger nail fungus, is to continually apply oil. Of course, oils that contain medicinal ingredients may attack the fingernail fungus at the same time as they are softening the nail. This idea has lead to the use of things like Vicks VapoRub, and essential herbal oils like oregano oil, and thyme oil. Recently, the distilled oil of the Tea tree has come under scrutiny because of apparent antifungal properties. Scientific research is supporting the idea that Tea tree oil is an effective remedy for finger nail fungus, and the oil is being sold commercially and added to natural remedies for the infection. Though any of the home remedies may work for fingernail fungus under the right circumstances, Tea tree oil is one for which there is a growing body of scientific evidence.

Tea Tree Oil Antifungal

Tea tree oil antifungal treatment is one of the most popular natural remedies for nail fungus infection. The product is made from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree, or Tea tree. It is not made in the same manner as an ordinary cup of black or herbal tea however: this extract is an essential oil that is obtained by a steam distillation process. A concentrated component of the product, terpinen-4-ol, is believed to be an effective antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral agent. This is one natural remedy for which there is considerable scientific support: research into the medicinal possibilities of the Melaleuca is continuing in Australia, where the tree grows.

The evidence of Tea tree oil antifungal activity is so convincing that producers of natural remedies for fungal nail infections have begun marketing it as a fungal nail remedy. Others have begun blending it with other essential oils or antifungal herbs to produce topical treatments for infected nails. Although some natural healers advocate applying the distilled product straight to fungal nails, there have been reports of skin sensitivity, so a blend with a carrier oil, or with other ingredients, may be a better approach, particularly if the oil will contact bare skin. In no circumstances should the oil be taken by mouth - it is for external application only.

To treat a fungal nail infection with a Tea tree oil antifungal preparation, first of all, use a fresh supply of Tea tree oil! Researchers have found that the preparation deteriorates over time, and allergic reactions may be more common when old oil is used. Apply the remedy to affected toenails or fingernails two or three times a day, and allow it to soak in. The oil should also be applied to any areas of the surrounding skin that appear to be affected by the fungus. Continue daily applications until the nail looks normal.

Like most remedies for nail fungus, tea tree oil antifungal treatment can take many months, depending on how far advanced the infection is when treatment begins. Nails grow very slowly and, until the affected portion of the nail is completely grown out, the infection may rebound when treatment is discontinued. Many sources claim that even one missed day in the treatment regime will allow the fungus to stage a comeback. A dedicated daily application, followed by careful nail care to prevent any future infections, is the way to use a Tea tree oil antifungal remedy to banish nail fungus.

Nail Fungus Prevention

Fungal infections of the fingernails and toenails are very common - nail fungus prevention and treatment depends on an understanding of what, exactly, is going on. A fungal toenail infection occurs when fungal elements, usually spores, get in under the nail, into the tender tissue of the nailbed, and start to grow there. Sandwiched between the toenail and the toe, the fungus feeds on the toenail itself: toenails are not live tissue, but they contain a protein called keratin, which fungi are able to break down to obtain nutrients. Fingernails, hair, and animal hooves and horn also contain keratin, and these substances are also susceptible to fungal invasion.

Nail fungus prevention begins with being careful not to put out a welcome sign for the fungus. A healthy body with a strong immune system will fight off most fungi that show up. Clean, well trimmed nails, and fingers and toes that are free of breaks in the skin are important too. Look after any injuries, even small nicks and scratches, particularly if they are close to the nails. More severe injuries involving nails or their roots may require more intensive first aid and daily care to prevent fungal spores from gaining entrance and setting up an infection. As well, fungal toenail infections are more common than fungal fingernail infections, so the feet will benefit from more attention.

Feet probably suffer from fungal attack more often than hands because feet don't get as much fresh air, and they don't get washed as often. The key to nail fungus prevention here is to keep the feet cool, dry and clean. Fungus spores will start to grow when conditions are damp and warm. They linger in dirty socks and shoes, in soil, damp ground, and dirty public shower stalls. While it's not necessary to avoid these places altogether, it's important to remember that you should always dry your feet thoroughly, change your socks regularly, and again, attend to even minor injuries carefully. Antifungal powders applied to the insides of shoes can also help prevent fungal toenail infection.

If nail fungus prevention fails, and you see signs that a nail is infected, don't wait for it to get worse before you tackle it. In these very early stages, a home remedy for fungal toenail and fingernail infection, or a homeopathic remedy may work just as well as an expensive prescription drug. Fungi grow very slowly, so you have time to work on it before it gets too advanced. First, consult your doctor to be sure it is a fungal infection, and then, whichever treatment you choose, commit yourself to tending to the treatment daily, possibly for months, until the infection is gone.

What is Sporanox?

Sporanox is the trade name for the antifungal drug, itraconazole. The drug can be taken by mouth, as capsules or liquid, or given by injection. It interrupts fungal growth by interfering with the organism's attempts to build a cell membrane, the protective barrier that each fungal cell uses to wall itself off from its surroundings (imagine if something was preventing your body from maintaining your skin - you would have difficulty surviving).

Sporanox is used for the treatment of various fungal infections, including tissue and lung infections, and onychomycosis (fungal infection of the fingernails or toenails). People who have problems with their immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients and AIDS patients, are more susceptible to fungal infection, and this powerful drug is useful for treating their diseases. When the problem is uncomplicated onychomycosis, however, the drug is only recommended for people with healthy, normal immune systems.

Sporanox is used for fungal nail infections, but it is probably not the best, or the most popular choice. Studies indicate that it may only work about half of the time, and potential Sporanox side effects range from mild to extremely serious. Itraconazole should not be given to pregnant women, to anyone who has a history of congestive heart failure, or to anyone thought to be allergic to Sporanox or related drugs. Rarely, patients have suffered serious liver damage, and dangerous interactions with other drugs are also a concern.

When Sporanox is used for serious life threatening fungal infections, the benefit may outweigh the risk; however, for a simple fungal nail infection, patients should weigh possible Sporanox side effects, and the low probability of success, against the primarily cosmetic benefit. Is Sporanox worth it? Patients should talk with their doctors about the alternatives for treatment. There are other prescription drugs available (none come without side effects, however) that work better.

There is also a host of natural remedies and traditional treatments which, while not clinically tested, are generally much cheaper and safer than the prescription drugs. When the problem is not serious, these consumer-tested remedies are worth a look. Most of them are topical remedies, so the risk of Sporanox side effects, or other problems related to an oral medication, are removed. When natural remedies are taken orally, they consist of everyday foods or herbal mixtures (herbs can be toxic too, so do your own research) unlikely to cause problems. Unless there is some compelling reason to use it, Sporanox is not the best choice.

Artificial nail fungus

You might think that with an artificial nail fungus would not be a problem, but in reality, fungal nail infection can be even more of a worry when you apply false nails on top of natural nails. This is because fungi grow well in damp airless places, like inside shoes, and on warm sweaty feet, and false nails do restrict the flow of air around the nail. Fungal infections of the fingernails are much less common than toenail infections, so the issue is not a big one, but bear in mind that a natural fingernail covered with a sheet of acrylic, fiberglass, or other synthetic material does not get as much exposure to air.

A fingernail discolored and distorted by fungal growth is not a pretty thing, and when your fingernails look like this it's tempting to cover up the damage so that other people won't see it. However, when you apply an artificial nail fungus does not go away, it just gets put out of sight. Untreated, and possibly even more comfortable, it will continue to grow and to destroy the natural nail. It may spread to other fingernails, and toenails, or to the skin around the nails. Eventually, natural nails may disintegrate so badly that it's no longer possible to apply a false nail, and by this time the appearance of the nail will be very much worse. You need to deal with your fungal infection, not hide it.

One more artificial nail fungus connection comes as a result of the booming nail industry: many women are now visiting professionals to have their false nails applied. They are enjoying nail spas, and getting manicures and pedicures in greater numbers than ever before. Unfortunately, this gives the fungi that invade human nails a chance to spread. Some of the women that visit your nail-care professional already have fungus growing in their finger- and toenails. While they are receiving services, fungal spores contaminate the equipment in the facility, and if the facility doesn't follow strict rules for cleaning and disinfecting, these spores will still be around when the next customer arrives. Then, with each artificial nail fungus gets a free ride onto a natural nail and another chance to flourish in a comfortable environment. This is not a theory: fungi and other infectious organisms have been spread by nail-care procedures.

If you use artificial nails fungus may become an issue for you. To avoid it, choose a nail-care professional carefully and ask about disinfection procedures, follow recommendations for the care of your false nails, and deal with any symptoms of fungal infection promptly.

Nail Fungus Infection

Nail fungus infection usually starts with the toes. At first you might just notice some puzzling yellow discoloration of a toenail. What you won’t see is the network of fine fungal mycelia (like branching stalks)that are spreading out in the sheltered tissue under the toenail.

The fungal growth tends not to spread into the tissue of the toe, at least not right away. Your body’s immune system is holding it at bay. Rather, it grows through the matrix of the toenail, getting nutrients from keratin, a protein found in toe- and fingernails. Nails are not living tissue, and they don’t produce an immune response to the invader, so a nail fungus infection can get well established in the toenail before you even know it’s there.

The fungi that invade nails are called dermatophytes, which means, roughly, fungi that like skin. At the site of infection, usually near the tip of the toe, a fungal colony grows (think of a piece of bread that has gone moldy: each spot of mold is a colony). As the colony gets bigger and better developed, it will start producing spores that can be spread around. They get into socks and shoes, carpets, shower stalls, and bedding. They get spread to other toes, and if conditions are right, they’ll set up a new nail fungus infection there. Eventually, they may even spread to the fingernails.

In an advanced nail fungus infection, the toenail gets completely broken down. The fungus has spread throughout the matrix of the nail and digested the keratin so that the toenail becomes thick and flaky, or powdery. Many dermatophytes produce pigments – secretions that are yellow, brown, black, green, and even red (again, think of a really moldy piece of cheese, or fruit and all the colors you may see there). These colors may be visible in the crumbling nail.

The skin around the nail often becomes inflamed as well, because most of the dermatophytes that cause nail fungus infection can infect the skin as well. The skin may become red and irritated looking, or it may just be dry and scaly, looking more like dry skin than an infection. In time, the foot becomes very uncomfortable, and wearing shoes may be extremely painful.

Let’s hope you don’t let your nail fungus infection get to that stage before you seek treatment.

Nail fungus photos

Nail fungus photos are not pleasant to look at, but if you think you have a fungal infection in one or more of your toenails or fingernails, it’s worth your while to take a look at some pictures of the infection. Though onychomycosis, fungal infection in the nails, is very common, there are many other things that can make a finger- or toenail look ugly. It’s a good idea to be sure of what you are dealing with before you spend time and money on treatment.

Even if you find nails fungus pics that look a lot like what you have, it’s still a good idea to visit your doctor and get a professional opinion. Nail fungus photos don’t tell the whole story. If there is any doubt about the diagnosis, your doctor can take a specimen and send it to the medical laboratory for confirmation. The specimen will consist of a few nail clippings, or any sections of the nail that are crumbly and can be easily removed. Doctors sometimes gently scrape away a few skin cells as well, if the skin in the area looks like it might be affected. These specimen collections should not hurt unless your finger or toe is already very sensitive.

In the laboratory, your specimen is distributed to culture media that grow fungi, and then incubated to see if anything will grow. This can take a few weeks because fungi grow relatively slowly. Culture provides information that a nail fungus photo cannot, even if it is indeed onychomycosis: more than one species of fungus infects humans, and it is often helpful to know which type you are dealing with. In nail fungus pics, they generally look very much the same.

There are plenty of nail fungus pics published on the internet. Just typing in nail fungus photos in the Google search bar will yield lots of hits. One of the better sites is at the Hardin Library for Health Sciences at http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/hardin/md/toenailfunguspictures.html. This page provides a whole list of links where you can see more pictures of infected toes and fingers than you are probably going to want to look at. Take a look at some pictures of nail problems that are not caused by fungi, so you can make a valid comparison. Then, if you have such a problem, make an appointment with your doctor.

Nail fungus and tea

Nail fungus and tea sounds like an odd combination, but for some people, the two do go together. A tea made from the inner bark of a South American tree may have antifungal properties that will help cure onychomycosis, the ugly fungal nail infection that many people suffer from.

The tree is the Red-purple Lapacho tree, also known as the Pau D’Arco or Taheebo Tree. It has been used in indigenous healing practices for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. It’s now being investigated for its possible applications in various medical conditions. Its healing properties may go far beyond nail fungus and tea is an easy medicine to take: the Lapacho Tree is rumored to work as a painkiller, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antibiotic, antiviral, even a cancer treatment.

Pau D’Arco tea may be helpful both internally and as a solution that an infected hand or foot could be soaked in, though it’s use in either capacity does not seem to be widespread – at least, not yet. It is consumed as a drink for most medicinal applications, and is particularly recommended as a treatment for vaginal yeast infections. It might be helpful as a remedy for yeast infections of the nail as well. Such yeast infections generally require a different treatment approach from nail fungus - tea from the Lapacho Tree might work better for the yeast when taken internally. Of course, it could not hurt to both drink the tea and soak in it.

We don’t know anything for certain about the nail fungus and tea remedy, but if the tree is being studied, we may learn something before long. Meanwhile, another tea and onychomycosis connection is well established with a tree from Australia, the Tea Tree. In this case, the anecdotal evidence supporting this natural remedy is much clearer. Tea Tree oil is used as a topical treatment for onychomycosis, and it is already so popular that natural remedy suppliers are bottling the oil, and blending it with other essential oils and healing herbs for that very purpose. This tree, like the Lapacho Tree is being actively studied for the medicinal benefits it may provide. It, too, appears to have antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal properties.

Both of these nail fungus and tea remedies suffer from mixed reports: they don’t always work. Some people report good results after using these and other natural remedies, while others get no results at all. This isn’t surprising though – it also frequently happens with FDA-approved, clinically tested drugs. They just don’t work for everybody.

Nail fungus cream

If you have a fungal finger- or toenail infection (onychomycosis), it might seem logical that you should just drop in at the nearest pharmacy and buy a tube of over the counter (OTC) nail fungus cream. After all, that approach usually works for other uncomplicated and superficial skin infections: an OTC antibiotic ointment or antiseptic liquid usually does the trick. With a fungal nail infection, however, it’s often not that simple.

Nail fungus cream is certainly available, and people have been buying it for years, but though it works quite well on fungal skin infections, it doesn’t have a great reputation for clearing up onychomycosis. Antifungal cream often doesn’t work for a very simple reason: when you smear it on your nail, you are not putting it directly on the fungus. The fungus is growing in the nailbed, protected from the treatment by a thick layer of fingernail or toenail. The medication is outside and the infection is inside.

In some circumstances, though, OTC nail fungus cream may clear up the problem, or at least help to do so. If you work at getting the cream to the site of the fungal growth, it may help. Do this by soaking the infected hand or foot to soften the thick nail. Then, use a file or emery board to gently file away some of the thickness and remove any loose disintegrating areas. This will not only physically remove some of the fungal growth, it will also remove some of the material that would otherwise separate the antifungal cream from the infected area. Apply the treatment to the softened, filed nail liberally and often. (Follow manufacturer’s directions and be sure not to miss any applications.)

Another way to boost the effectiveness of antifungal cream is to combine it with another remedy. There are oral prescription drugs that you can take, which attack the infection from within, rather than topically. See you doctor to find out whether one of these drugs would be appropriate for you. There are also natural remedies that use something taken by mouth or topical natural agents. Though it may require a bit more work, a combination of nail fungus cream and something else may be the best approach to a hard-to-treat infection.

Diflucan for nail fungus

Diflucan, a prescription drug also known as fluconazole, is often used to treat fungal infections. Diflucan for nail fungus, however, is not the best choice. Other oral prescription drugs result in higher cure rates, work faster, and are less expensive. Like all the oral prescription medications for fungal infections of the toe- and fingernails, fluconazole comes with the risk of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, headaches and skin rashes, but also more serious problems such as liver toxicity and extreme skin reactions. When the problem being treated is virtually never serious in terms of general health (nail fungus is usually more of a cosmetic problem), it’s wise to question whether it makes sense to use a drug that has the potential to cause serious health problems.

Diflucan for nail fungus is not unusual in its potential to cause unintended harm. All of the available prescription drugs, Lamisil (terbinafine) and Sporanox (itraconazole) come with similar risk. They are, however, less toxic than older prescription anti-fungals, such as griseofulvin, and more effective. Though none, and no other treatment for fugal nail infection, works 100 per cent of the time, many people have had success with Diflucan, or one of the other prescription drugs after trying other remedies without success.

Treatment with Diflucan for nail fungus tends to be more prolonged than that recommended with the alternative prescription drugs. During treatment, the patient can assist with the cure by taking very good care of the feet and hands. Nails should be kept clean and trimmed short. Feet, in particular, should be washed daily and dried carefully. Lots of air circulation and dry cool skin create an unfriendly environment for fungus, so bare feet or ventilated shoes are helpful. Infected nails can be filed away regularly, so that they are kept thin and any crumbling flaky pieces are promptly removed. After the infection is gone, these precautions should be continued as regular nail care habits to help prevent a recurrence.

If the cost of a prescription treatment with Diflucan for nail fungus, or other antifungal, is just too much, the possibility of side effects judged too risky, or if some preexisting health condition makes it impossible to use the drugs, there are many over the counter proprietary remedies, and traditional home remedies that seem to work for many people. These can be used instead of, or even in conjunction with, the prescription drugs, and may help to eradicate the fungus. With any treatment, conscientious hand and foot care is a must.

Treatment for Nail Fungus

Treatment for nail fungus (onychomycosis) can be a lengthy process: first, it must get at the fungus and stop its growth, and then it takes time for the damaged toe- or fingernail to grow out, taking the fungus remnants and damage with it. If the goal is healthy looking feet to slip into summer sandals, treatment must begin months in advance. Fingernails grow quite slowly; toenails are even slower.

If treatment for nail fungus begins before the infection is too far advanced, that is, it’s still confined to the distal regions of the nail near the tip, it will be easier to treat. It will look healthy sooner, and oral prescription drugs will be more easily avoided. The topical liquid, Penlac nail lacquer, stands out from the other prescription treatments because it is applied to the nail rather than taken internally. It can only be used, however, if the lunula, the crescent shaped whitish part of the nail near the base, is not infected.

Even when the whole nail is infected, there is a wide range of <treatment for nail fungus. Prescription drugs other than Penlac nail lacquer are taken orally, and there are cost and toxicity issues to consider. Many proprietary remedies are available, most of which are topical formulations. They include lotions and salves that have been marketed for many years as over the counter remedies. Newer homeopathic variations are made from essential oils and other natural ingredients believed to have antifungal activity.

Other variations on treatment for nail fungus come from the bright ideas of people who thought it through and tried something different. Someone who knew that fungus dislikes acid conditions came up with soaking hands or feet in vinegar. Chlorine bleach’s disinfectant properties no doubt inspired the dilute bleach soak, and the antiseptic in Listerine mouthwash was thought, by someone, to be a good treatment. Vicks VapoRub, and hydrogen peroxide have been used similarly, while a mix of dark beer and a strain of bacteria, Bacillus acidophilus, may be based on the idea that a friendly organism can drive out an unfriendly one. Like Penlac Nail lacquer, all of these remedies get at the problem from the outside, through the nail, and they have the best chance of working if they get through to the fungus.

Natural cures and nail fungus

At a time when people are searching for natural cures nail fungus (onychomycosis) is fertile ground. Well established traditional home remedies have recently been joined by a host of other self treatment regimens for this type of infection. Why? One reason is that the current prescription drugs for treatment of fungal infections are so expensive that they are simply out of reach for many people.

When it comes to natural cures nail fungus is the mother of invention for another reason: the current oral prescription drugs come with the risk of side effects. The most popular systemic prescription drug for onychomycosis is Lamisil tablets (terbinafine hydrochloride), manufactured by Novartis. Though relatively uncommon, side effects of Lamisil tablets include liver damage, and serious skin reactions. Many people, weighing pretty nails against the possibility of dangerous drug side effects simply find the risk unacceptable.

The types of fungi that infect toenails and fingernails grow beneath the nail in the hospitable and sheltered environment of the nail bed. They break down keratin in the nail, which is why infected toe- and fingernails start to come apart and crumble away. Out of all the natural cures nail fungus probably responds best to the ones that can either penetrate the thick covering of nail or contact the fungus from below. To help the process of penetration, onychomycosis sufferers can file away the outside layers of affected nails so that a topical treatment has a better chance of getting through.

The body’s natural immunity takes care of most fungal challenges. With the oral natural cures, nail fungus is presumably weakened by a stronger immune system: anything that boosts immunity against a fungal infection will help the body fight it off. Examples of this kind of home remedy include diet regimes, taking apple cider vinegar, and the homeopathic remedy, Leucatin. Lamisil tablets, in contrast, act on the fungus, inhibiting its ability to build a cell membrane.

All antibiotics, however, act in concert with the immune system to fight off infection. Whether the chosen treatment is a prescription drug, such as Lamisil tablets, or one of the natural cures nail fungus will be beaten faster if a healthy body and a strong immune system are part of the team.

Home remedies to cure nail fungus

Home remedies to cure nail fungus are easy to come by. They have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive, but virtually all of them have mixed reviews: whichever one you pick, you will find that some people say it worked for them and others will say it didn’t work. Most of them have not been clinically tested. It’s important to remember, however, that the prescription medications get similarly mixed reports, and clinical testing has confirmed that they don’t work for everyone either.

Home remedies to cure nail fungus tend to be relatively safe when used as directed, and with a little common sense. Many of them are household products, such as white vinegar or bleach (used diluted!) or common over the counter (OTC) products like Vicks VapoRub, or Listerine mouthwash. All the usual cautions apply to home remedys for nail fungus: think carefully before putting anything in your mouth that isn’t food, and always read labels and pay attention to any cautions you see there.

Besides the home remedys for nail fungus, there are a number of commercially available natural remedies that you may want to investigate. The majority of these are topical treatments that are applied to the infected fingernails or toenails. They include essential oils, such as Tea Tree oil, or oregano oil, an antifungal “mud” called Saprox, and various other creams and lotions. The problem with topical preparations and home remedies to cure nail fungus is that they may not penetrate the thick toenail and do not directly contact the fungus. This is one reason that many people prefer a prescription drug that is taken orally.

Leucatin, one of the commercially available home remedys for nail fungus, is different - it combines a topical solution and an herbal supplement that is taken orally. The manufacturers of this product claim that the solution is unusually effective at penetrating the nail, while the herbal pills help the immune system fight off the fungus from the inside. If their claims are true (results within two weeks and over 90% success rate), the treatment performs substantially better than any other home remedies to cure nail fungus. And although it’s more expensive than white vinegar, it’s much cheaper than the prescription alternatives.

Over the Counter Nail Fungus Medication

What is over the counter nail fungus medication? Strictly speaking, it is a remedy for toenail fungal infections that can be purchased without a prescription. When we talk about OTC medications, we are usually talking about commercial products specifically manufactured for self care of a medical condition. In the case of fungal nails, however, the definition might well be broadened to include a number of everyday household products manufactured for other purposes but used as fungus medicine.

Prescription drugs are available, but the cost of these drugs is so prohibitive that many people turn to over the counter nail fungus medication. Many more avoid the pharmaceutical medications because of the risk of side effects. The next best alternative, at least in the opinions of the medical profession, is toe nail fungus medication available in pharmacies – lotions, creams and ointments for nail treatment.

Another group of products include natural remedies like Tea Tree oil and other essential oils, available from homeopathic dealers and shops. An antifungal mud called Saprox, apparently produced in the Czech Republic, is another possibility.

One of the over the counter nail fungus medication is a natural treatment from Zetaclear. It's one of the most promising new remedies on the market.

Finally, there are many household products that people have used with varying success. Some of them are available in pharmacies for other problems, but are not strictly over the counter nail fungus medication. Vicks Vaporub, Listerine mouthwash, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) are good examples. Hydrogen peroxide is a first aid item that has been reputed to cure fungal infection.

Grocery items are on the list for toe nail fungus medication as well. Many folks will tell you to soak your feet in vinegar – white vinegar straight from the bottle. Others drink apple cider vinegar for an oral home cure. You might want to soak your feet in beer: one home remedy calls for a potion of stout, vinegar, and Lactobacillus acidophilus, a strain of bacteria used in making yogurt.

One thing can be said of virtually every type of toe nail fungus medicine: it takes a long time to work, if it works at all. Most variations of over the counter nail fungus medication are applied topically, which means that the medication has to penetrate the nail and get at the fungus in order to work. In many cases it does not come into contact with the fungus. This is also true of topical prescription drugs – only the oral drugs get around the problem. Even if the medication reaches the fungus and arrests its growth, toe nails grow so slowly that it’s months before the toenail looks normal again.

Listerine Toenail Fungus Treatment

You’ve heard of the mouthwash, but have you heard of the Listerine toenail fungus treatment? It seems that a lot of people are soaking their fungal toenail infections in a basin of Listerine and getting good results. Like people who use other home remedies for this unpleasant infection, people who swear by this oral rinse tried it because they were trying to avoid expensive prescription drugs and their side effects, or had tried the other treatments with no success. Apparently it worked.

If you’re using Listerine for toenail fungus, be prepared to keep it up for a while – though some people claim the remedy works after soaking for 30 minutes a day for just a few days, most fungal toenail infections will take months to clear, whether you’re using Listerine, vinegar, or any of the prescription drugs. It just takes a long time for the fungus to die and the new, uninfected nail to grow in. Use it every day – never skip a day – and in a month or two, you should see some healthy nail growing in. Don’t stop using Listerine for toenail fungus until the entire nail is new and looks healthy and normal.

Many people find that when it comes to treating nail fungus Listerine and vinegar combined offer even faster results. Fungi donot do well in an acid environment, so adding vinegar to Listerine may give your home remedy a little extra punch, combining the acidic vinegar with whatever is in the Listerine (presumably the disinfectant) that kills the fungal infection. Some people have had good success mixing a half-and-half solution and just painting it on the infected nails several times a day.

There’s no guarantee that the Listerine toenail fungus treatment will work for you. It doesn’t work for everyone, and no published scientific studies have looked at the effects of using Listerine for toenail fungus, or gathered data on the number of people who used it successfully. If you have the time and the inclination to try it, however, it is certainly much cheaper than prescription drugs that can cost eight dollars a day, or even more, to use.

A solution that’s safe to put in your mouth is presumably perfectly safe for soaking your feet. It might even feel good! But if you’re going to try Listerine for toenail fungus, you should be aware of one potential side effect: it seems that it may turn your feet green! Temporarily.

Types of Foot Fungus

When people talk about fungal foot infection, they are usually referring to one of two main types of foot fungus: infection of the skin (athlete’s foot), or infection of the toenails (onychomycosis). Both are very common, but athlete’s foot is generally much easier to get rid of.

Both kinds of foot fungus result from the organism invading and beginning to multiply on the foot. The fungus gets nutrients from keratin, a type of protein that is found in skin cells and nails. As it breaks down keratin, skin becomes flaky and scaly and nails start to crumble and discolor. The same type of fungus, most commonly one called Trichophyton rubrum, can cause both kinds of foot fungal infection, though some other types of and various yeasts normally only invade the nails.

Knowing a few foot fungus facts will help get rid of the infection faster. First, a fungal infection should always be properly diagnosed by a physician: other things can cause flaking skin and deformed nails. Second, all types of foot fungus are normally present in the environment: you don’t need to be exposed to someone with an infection to catch one yourself. Your body’s immune system fights off most kinds of foot fungus on its own, but if you do see signs, you should act promptly before it becomes too advanced.

There are other important foot fungus facts, regarding infections, treatment options, and what to expect with various remedies. There are prescription drugs, over the counter medications, natural remedies, homeopathic preparations and home remedies. Antifungal drugs will work against all types of foot fungus, though your doctor may choose a different treatment for a nail infected with yeast.

On the skin, most kinds of foot fungus clear up quite quickly with a topical treatment (creams, ointments, powders), while fungal nail infections are often difficult to cure because topical treatments don’t reach the growth under the thick nail. Treatment may need to be continued for many months. Knowing these foot fungus facts will keep you from getting discouraged if you don’t see treatment results as quickly as you expected.

Practice a few simple things to help your body fight off all kinds of foot fungus. Fungi like damp warm conditions, so keep your feet clean and make sure you dry them well after bathing. Wear shoes in wet public places like swimming pool decks and showers, but if your feet tend to be sweaty, avoid wearing shoes for extended periods - your feet need a chance to dry. Change and launder your socks regularly and use an antifungal powder in your shoes.

Some types of foot fungus are common in soil, but it's okay to go barefoot as long as you don’t have cuts or irritated skin that could allow a fungus entry. In fact, it’s good for your feet to get fresh air. Finally, remember your foot fungus facts, keep your nails trimmed, apply first aid promptly to any foot injury, and keep an eye on your skin and nails so that you spot a developing fungal foot infection right away.

Toenail Fungus Tea Tree Oil

For many people with toenail fungus tea tree oil is like a magic potion. Anecdotal stories abound of people who have used this essential oil to treat fungal nail infections. It is one of the popular natural healing alternatives to expensive oral prescription drugs feared for their possible side effects, and it is readily available because it is also used as a natural healing treatment for other conditions.

Bottled tea tree oil for fungus comes from an Australian tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, commonly called the Tea Tree. It is being investigated for its abilities to kill bacteria, fungi, yeasts and viruses, and there is some evidence that it may indeed be an appropriate weapon against toenail fungus; tea tree oil may soon take its place beside the currently accepted prescription medications for this condition.

Tea tree oil for fungus infections can be purchased from homeopathic and alternative medicine suppliers. In preparations specifically for toenail fungus, tea tree oil may be only one of the ingredients: in many cases it is blended with other essential oils believed to have some effectiveness against nail fungus. Other supplements to tea tree oil toenail fungus treatment include DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide), vaseline (mixed 50/50), Vicks VapoRub, iodine, and apple cider vinegar taken orally (don’t take tea tree oil orally!). These treatments all come under the heading of home remedies: no scientific studies validate their effectiveness.

Before using toenail fungus tea tree oil treatment, visit your doctor and get a proper diagnosis. Other things can cause toe nails and finger nails to discolor and become thickened or deformed. These things include injury, bacterial growth, skin conditions and other issues. If the problem is not toenail fungus, tea tree oil probably will not help and you will have wasted time and money. If your doctor confirms that the problem is a fungus (you may need to have a nail sample collected and sent to the laboratory for a definitive answer), then it may be worth trying the tea tree oil toenail fungus remedy.

If you are looking for a tea tree oil toenail fungus treatment, then you might want to try Native Remedies, an all natural preparation. It is also available without a prescription, and does not cause the side effects of pharmaceutical medications.

Talk to your doctor about your options. A doctor can provide current information on the prescription drug choices for toenail fungus, and advise you about the cost of treatment and risk of side effects. He or she may also be able to discuss the treatment successes and failures of other patients. Learn about the options and weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether or not to use toenail fungus tea tree oil remedy.

Penlac Nail Laquer

Penlac nail lacquer is the only topical prescription drug for treating nail fungus infections. The active ingredient is the drug, ciclopirox. Penlac is a solution; it comes packaged in a glass bottle with a little paintbrush, like fingernail polish, and it is used in much the same way. Every day you paint the affected nail, and once a week you clean the nail with alcohol to remove any buildup of the lacquer. You also need to visit your physician regularly to have any affected nail that is coming away removed.

Penlac nail lacquer is an attractive alternative to the oral prescription drug, Lamisil (terbinafine). When considering Penlac vs Lamisil, you need to consider a number of things. First, Penlac is not recommended if the fungal infection is so advanced that the fungus has invaded the lunula (the crescent-shaped lighter area near the base of the nail). If the lunula is involved, Lamisil is a better choice. Penlac nail lacquer is a much safer alternative to Lamisil because it is not taken internally – patients don’t have to worry about liver damage or other unpleasant side effects. Side effects experienced with Penlac generally only involve the nail area, if they occur at all.

Finally, the cost of Penlac vs Lamisil could be a deciding factor, but this will be a matter of guesswork. Per day, Penlac nail lacquer may be cheaper than Lamisil, depending on how many nails are infected; however, the recommended length of treatment with Penlac is 48 weeks, while a course of treatment with Lamisil is often considerably shorter. Unfortunately, the cost comparison cannot be done accurately, because fungal nail infections often resolve very slowly and there is no way to know at the beginning of treatment how long it is going to take. Both drugs may be required for a longer period of time than originally predicted.

Penlac nail lacquer and Lamisil tablets are not the only prescription drugs available for treatment of fungal nail infections, but they are probably the best choices among the prescription medications simply because they are the most effective. Combination therapy is not recommended, so your choice is Penlac vs Lamisil – both at the same time is not a good option.

Another effective option is a natural alternative to Penlac nail laquer from Native Remedies, a natural topical application that is available without a prescription. It is free of the side effects that may occur with prescription medications.

In deciding between Penlac vs Lamisil, your choice will ultimately depend on which form of treatment has more appeal. If you are comfortable with taking a daily pill and you don’t have a tendency to experience side effects with oral prescription drugs, Lamisil may be the right choice. If you’re worried about potential side effects, however, and you can commit to applying Penlac nail lacquer to your infected nails each and every day for a minimum of 11 months, then you’ll probably opt for Penlac. Or, you can try a natural alternative to both such as Leucatin. Only time will tell if you’ve made the right choice.

Lamisil Side Effects

Lamisil side effects are probably the biggest concern for people who are taking this drug, or considering taking it, for fungus nail infections. Fungal infections are difficult to treat, and antifungal drugs are infamous for their toxicity. The liver is the organ that removes toxins from the bloodstream: the liver recognizes many drugs, including Lamisil as toxins, so this is where the drug does its worst damage. No one wants liver damage in exchange for treatment to clear up a fungal nail infection.

The danger of Lamisil side effects is real, but probably not as severe as many people believe. Controlled studies of the drug, and years of experience, indicate that severe complications are rare. When side effects Lamisil may cause are usually mild and temporary. If you are thinking about taking it, learn to recognize the symptoms of liver toxicity: nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, stomach pains, a yellowish hue developing in your skin and eyes, dark urine, pale stools, tiredness. If any of these symptoms occur, you can always stop taking the drug and let your liver recover.

Other side effects Lamisil may cause include rash or itchy skin, diarrhea, and an altered sense of taste, and these symptoms are more common than those experienced with liver toxicity. Rarely, people experience Lamisil side effects such as blistering and peeling skin, fever, chills, aching joints, and sore throat.

The danger of Lamisil increases in certain circumstances. You should not take Lamisil without consulting your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Do not use alcohol while taking it. Alcohol abuse, past or present, as well as liver disease or kidney disease don’t mix well with the drug: patients with these conditions should not take the medication. Finally, if you are taking other medications, be sure to remind your doctor and your pharmacist: some of the side effects Lamisil causes are made worse when the drug is mixed with other drugs in the body.

While it’s important to be careful, remember Lamisil side effects are rare and the danger of Lamisil doing you serious long-lasting harm is quite remote. In fact, the greatest danger of Lamisil could be the damage it will do to your budget if you have to pay for it yourself. Depending on where you buy it, the drug can cost more than eight dollars per pill! At one pill a day for 12 weeks, you would spend about $700.00 clearing up a nail infection, and some nail infections take much longer to resolve. It might be safe to say that, of all the side effects Lamisil can cause, financial stress is both the worst, and the most common.

If you are looking for an alternative to avoid Lamisil side effects you may want to look into a natural formulas that can be quite effective in treating nail fungus.

Is Lamisil Cream an Effective Treatment?

The antifungal drug terbinafine is the active ingredient in Lamisil cream, a topical prescription drug for fungal skin infections. The drug works by interfering with a fungal cell’s ability to maintain its cell membrane, the protective membrane that surrounds the cell and holds it together. With repeated exposure to the drug, the fungus is unable to grow; it eventually dies and the infection is cured.

Currently, Lamisil is probably the best FDA-approved drug for the treatment of fungal infection. In addition to Lamisil cream, Lamisil tablets are available, recommended for treatment of fungal nail infections, which are difficult to cure with topical preparations. Studies have shown a better treatment success rate with terbinafine than with other available prescription drugs such as griseofulvin and itraconazole.

Both Lamisil cream and Lamisil tablets are used daily and usually need to be continued for a number of weeks to completely wipe out the fungus. Skin infections usually take from one to four weeks to resolve. Nail infections will often clear up in six weeks, while toe nail infections take four months or more to cure. It’s not uncommon, however, for much longer periods of treatment to be necessary, especially in the case of toe nail fungus infection. Complete replacement of the disfigured nail takes many months, even if the fungus is dead, because nails grow very slowly.

Systemic antifungal drugs have had a reputation for causing unpleasant side effects, most notably liver damage, and although clinical studies of Lamisil tablets have indicated that these side effects are relatively rare, and usually quite mild, they are still a concern. Patients taking Lamisil tablets should watch for signs of liver toxicity, such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the eyes and skin, dark urine, or light colored stools. Any other unexpected symptom that appears during the course of treatment should also be reported to a doctor. Concerns are not as great with Lamisil cream because the cream is only applied locally and relatively little gets into the bloodstream.

Another concern with Lamisil tablets is the possibility of drug interactions, and there is a long list of drugs that should not be used together with Lamisil tablets, or that should be used only with caution. The Lamisil dose may need to be adjusted to prevent adverse drug interactions and side effects. Anyone taking any other prescription medication should check with their doctor and their pharmacist before taking Lamisil. Again, Lamisil cream does not carry the same concerns; however, it is always wise to ask an appropriate medical professional before mixing medication.

How to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus

It seems that everyone has a piece of sage advice to offer about how to get rid of toe nail fungus. Some advice is very simple: apply Vicks VapoRub, Listerine, tea tree oil, or any one of a dozen other substances. Other remedies take more effort, like soaking the affected toenail(s) in a solution of dilute bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, Listerine, or some other chemical for a period of time each day.

Then there are the doctor recommended medications: topical ointments, nail lacquer, or oral drugs. These treatments are easy, and may have stronger scientific backing, but they are by far the most expensive.

Getting rid of finger nail fungus is easier in some ways, and more difficult in others. Many people will act on a finger nail infection long before they will start asking how to get rid of toe nail fungus, simply because toes can be kept out of sight, but ugly fingernails are a daily embarrassment. People start getting rid of finger nail fungus before the infection is too far advanced. However, it's much harder to get a topical treatment to stay on a fingernail when you’re using your hands all the time, and it's much harder to sit for 15 to 30 minutes every day with your hands soaking in a solution.

One of the newest treatments on the market is called Leucatin, and for many it is the answer to how to get rid of toenail fungus. It is an all-natural oral and topical combination formula with nutrients that have been proven to kill fungal infections, prevent regrowth and restore nail health and strength.

Pick any method for getting rid of finger nail fungus, or any advice on how to get rid of toe nail fungus. If you do any reading, you will quickly discover that all methods are fickle. VapoRub works for some and not for others. Stories of success with a vinegar soak abound; so do stories of failure. Some lucky people report success in weeks; some stress that you may have to keep at it for a year or more. Even the prescription medications have a relatively poor success rate. The bottom line is that curing nail fungus infection is difficult.

The best advice follows a four step approach. First, see your doctor to get the diagnosis confirmed – other things can look like nail fungus that aren't. Talk to your doctor about treatment options.

Second, if you are reluctant to take any of the prescription medications, like many people, or if you simply want to learn about other ways of treating nail fungus, consult a natural healing professional or do your own research.

The third step is to choose a treatment. Any advice on how to get rid of toe nail fungus will probably work just as well for getting rid of finger nail fungus. Remember that any of the choices could have unpleasant and unintended side effects, and none are as foolproof as their proponents claim. Finally, stick with it. All types of nail fungus treatment take time to work.