Onychomycosis / Nail Fungus

In this post you will find information and treatment recommendations for Toenail Fungus. Toenail fungus can be very difficult to get rid of. Fungus is natural in our environment and can get into the nail very easily. Often fungus gets into a nail when the nail has been injured, even slighlty. Repetitive pressure on the end of a long nail by shoes can compromise the nail enough to allow fungus to get in under the nail and into the nail root (matrix). Signs of fungus include discoloration and thickening of the nail with debris underneath. Although these findings may be more severe at the end of the nail, most often the true infection is when the fungus gets into the base of nail, or the nail root (matrix). Once the fungus is in the nail root, it becomes part of the nail. So the nail grows out from the root (matrix) with fungus in it. That is why the diseased nail is constant and never changing because it's growing out from the root with fungus already in the nail.

Treatment

1) Keep nails cut short and thinned out, but do not dig-out underneath. Let the nail and the debris grow-out while treating it. Keep feet clean and dry. Spray shoes with proper anti-fungal shoe spray to reduce natural fungus in shoes. (do not spray on feet) To see reocommended products for this Click "Topical Therapy & Socks" link found above.

2) Apply Anti-fungal Treatments to nails daily as instructed on packaging. This may have to be done for a long time (up to 6-8 months for some people). Be persistent for a long time as you cannot change the existing nail, you need to cure the fungus while replacing the nail over time with a new nail from the root. To see recommended products for this, click on the "Topical Therapy & Socks" link found above.

It may be necessary to treat this for up to six months. It is hard to change an existing nail, you have to clear up the fungus, then get new nail to grow out healthy before you can stop treating it. If unsuccessful, then seek medical attention as prescription medication can sometimes be necessary. But even prescription medication can take a long time.