Fungal nail infections are one of the most common causes of brittleness and discoloration of the toenails and fingernails. Fungal nail infections are caused by dangerous fungi that infiltrate and infect the nail beds. These types of infections are more common with toes, but they can also happen with fingers.
Fungal nail infections are extremely common, especially in parts of the world that do not practice good hygiene. They cause discoloration, brittleness, and irritation of the affected nails and can lead to losing the nails altogether. Because losing your toe and fingernails can lead to additional infections and complications, it is important to have fungal nail infections diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.
If you are diagnosed with a fungal nail infection, the most common and effective treatment is prescription antifungal medications. Itraconazole is currently one of the most common oral antifungals used to treat fungal nail infections. This drug is available in the form of a pill, and you must take it daily for anywhere from one to three months.
In addition to killing the fungal infection, antifungal medications also promote nail growth and help your new nail grow faster than it otherwise would. However, they can cause unwanted side effects, such as nausea, a rash, or problems with your liver, so it is important to receive ongoing care while you take antifungal medications.
While oral antifungals are the most common and effective treatment for fungal nail infections, they are not always the safest. If you have heart or liver problems, your doctor may recommend topical antifungal medications instead of oral ones.
Topical antifungals can come in the form of a cream, nail polish, or oil and you simply brush or rub the medication onto the infected nails. Ciclopirox is one of the more common types of topical antifungal medications, and is usually available as a nail polish, while tavaborole is a common antifungal cream. Creams and polishes should be applied as directed and they are effective for mild infections.
However, if you have a serious fungal nail infection, you will need some form of oral antifungal medication, as topical drugs do not get deep enough to kill serious infections.
If medications are proving to be ineffective at curing your fungal nail infection, you may need to have the infected nail or nails removed completely. While this is technically a form of surgery, it is an extremely mild one and simply involves removing the nail.
If you have one or more nails removed, you can apply topical antifungal medications directly onto the infected area. This will kill the infection much more effectively than with the nail in the way and could negate the need to take oral medications. Once the infection is gone, a new nail will start to grow in place of the old one.
If you have an especially mild fungal nail infection, you can sometimes self-treat the condition at home. Start by trimming the nail to a short but comfortable length. Next, apply over-the-counter fungal cream medications to the infection. It is also helpful to soak your nails in warm, salty water to clean the nail surface and make it easier for the fungal cream or lotion to do its work.
If you catch your fungal nail infection in time, you can usually treat it with home remedies. However, if the infection does not go away and becomes more serious, you should see a doctor immediately. You likely need prescription antifungal medications and nail removal to cure the infection permanently. You should also see a doctor if the infection goes away initially but returns later.