Choosing the best toenail fungus treatment can be easy if you know and understand the various types of remedies available. The good news is that there are a lot of options to choose from that make toenail fungus more treatable and curable than ever.
Oral Therapy
Using oral therapies as toenail fungus treatment is deemed more effective compared to topical remedies. The first-line treatment is called terbinafine, otherwise known as Lamisil, which has been effective by up to 70 percent among those with mild to moderate cases of fungus.
However, the drug terbinafine may not be right for everyone and its suitability can be evaluated depending on certain factors such as the person’s health and other treatments that are being taken. It’s also believed to bring side effects. The famous one being identified as liver damage. Other drug options include itraconazole (Sporanox) and fluconazole (Diflucan).
Topical remedies
Topical remedies are medications that are applied to a particular part of the body. For treating toenail fungus, there are three main topical products available: the cream type called efinaconazole (Jublia), the dropper type called tavaborole (Kerydin), and the nail polish type ciclopirox (Penlac).
Compared to oral therapy, using topical remedies may take you a year to get rid of toenail fungus. This can be true if you’re diligent in using the product every day.
Laser treatment method
Laser can be the quickest way to treat toenail fungus. By simply shooting a beam of light at the problem, laser can make the fungus evaporate and be gone forever. However, there’s not enough evidence to prove that laser treatment is really effective. The level of studies on laser treatments is unsatisfactory compared to how the studies on medications have been conducted. Apart from being ineffective in treating toenail fungus based on evidence, laser treatment also feels hot and very painful.
Home remedies
Believe it or not, toenail fungus can also be treated using products that are readily available at home. Apart from being effective, home remedies are also believed to be free from side effects because of their natural content.
Here are 10 popular treatments that can be applied at home.
1. Snakeroot extract – an antifungal made from the plants of the sunflower family
2. Oregano oil – contains thymol which has antifungal and antibacterial properties
3. Ozonized oils – injected with ozone gas (examples are sunflower oil and olive oil)
4. Listerine – has ingredients, such as eucalyptus, thymol, and menthol, which have antifungal and antibacterial properties.
5. Vicks Vaporub – has eucalyptus oil and camphor as active ingredients known to help in treating toenail fungus
6. Tea tree oil – a type of essential oil that has antiseptic and antifungal abilities
7. Olive leaf extract – contains the active substance oleuropein which is thought to have antimicrobial, antifungal, and immune-boosting capabilities
8. Vinegar – a popular remedy supported by anecdotal evidence
9. Garlic – is believed to have some antimicrobial and antifungal abilities
Changing your diet
There is a clear link between diet and health. It goes without saying that eating healthier foods can make your body more capable of fighting against certain health conditions such as toenail fungus.
Gain more nutrients needed by the body by eating:
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Foods rich in essential fatty acids
- Foods with enough protein for nail regrowth
- Foods with enough iron for the prevention of brittle nails
- Foods rich in Vitamin D and calcium
- Yogurt that is loaded with probiotics
Conclusion
Keep in mind that toenail fungus, when left untreated, can lead to severe cases that may cause discomfort and permanent toenail damage. Therefore, it’s important to choose a toenail fungus treatment that’s not only effective but is also one that you’re willing to do with strong commitment and patience.
