4 Options for Toenail Fungus Treatment
So you have a toenail fungus infection. Now what? It's ugly and you just want to get rid of it, but don't know where to start. There are at least 4 options for toenail fungus treatment. All have pros and cons. The one you choose will depend on the infection and types of medications you're comfortable taking.
Toenail Fungus Treatment #1 - Over the Counter with Active Ingredients
If you've just noticed a toe fungus, then over the counter medications may work for you. The key is treating it right away before it gets worse and needs a prescription. There are several anti-fungal creams, gels and laquers. You can find these types of nail fungus treatments in your local pharmacy or on line. They all have different active ingredients, so you may need to experiment until you find the one that works for you.
Some of these medications can be harsh on the surrounding skin. They can leave it dry, flaky and itchy. You'll need to treat the rest of your feet in addition to the toenail fungus.
Toenail Fungus Treatment #2 - All Natural Ingredients
Believe it or not, there are several natural ingredients and oils that are very good anti-fungals. As with the other over the counter treatments, you need to start treating the infection as soon as you see it.
The most common natural anti-fungal you'll find is tea tree oil. This has been used for centuries to treat fungus. However, lemon grass oil and clove oil are also used to treat toenail fungus. The best natural treatment on the market is Zeta Clear.
The advantage to a natural toenail fungus treatment is that many of these products contain other natural oils and ingredients to treat your skin in addition to the toenail fungus. This means your entire foot will be pampered and pretty!
Toenail Fungus Treatment #3 - Combination of Active and Natural Ingredients
There is at least one product out there, Miracle Plus, that uses an active ingredient (Tolnaftate) in addition to tea tree oil to treat toenail fungus. This packs a powerful punch against nail fungus. In addition, Miracle Plus contains other ingredients to take care of your skin while treating the infection.
Toenail Fungus Treatment #4 - Prescription Medication
The last and most serious toenail fungus treatment is using a prescription. Prescription treatments should be used when the infection is severe and nothing else is working.
As with the other options, you doctor may prescribe topical medications as a to treat toenail fungus. If the fungus is really severe, they may also remove your toenail to get right at the fungus. A little nasty but effective!
There are also oral medications like Lamasil. But first a warning - these are very serious medications and can have some very serious side effects. Most importantly, they can be very hard on your liver. You absolutely need to tell your doctor all of the other medications you're taking (over the counter, prescription, and herbal). In addition, you cannot drink alcohol while on this medication due to the high risk of liver damage. These medications are so intense you can only take them for 3 months at a time. Make sure you completely understand what you're getting into before agreeing to take this kind of medication.
In short, the toenail fungus treatment you use depends on the severity of the fungus and how you want to treat it. One important caveat - it can take up to a year to get rid of toenail fungus. Regardless of the treatment you use, you need to keep it up! Even if your toenails start looking better, keep treating them to prevent a re-infection. If you're diligent, you will have normal, healthy toes in no time.
For a more in depth review of 2 toenail fungus treatments mentioned, click here.
