Fungal nail diseases affect 10% of people around the world; did you know that? That’s more than 600 million people. You might have onychomycosis — a fungus nail infection — if your nails have become thick, dark, or break easily.
When fungi infect the nail bed, they cause the nails to turn yellow, brown, or white, thicken, and sometimes break.
Even though it may only look bad, proper care is important to avoid problems and prevent the infection from returning.
Getting the correct diagnosis is essential because many diseases look like fungus diseases but aren’t. This article tells you how to treat fungal nail diseases and get your nails healthy again.
Ways to Treat Fungal Nail Infections
Treating fungal nail infections takes time—several months of constant care to kill the fungus and grow healthy nails. Here are the treatments you can get:
1. Using Light and Lasers to Kill Fungus
These days, laser treatment is a modern and effective way to stop nail fungus growth without causing harm. The best fungal nail treatment in Australia includes advanced laser technology, which uses directed light energy to eliminate fungal cells while preserving healthy tissue.
The laser works by passing specific light wavelengths through the nail, generating heat that breaks down fungal cell walls and destroys the infection. Patients typically require multiple sessions over several weeks for optimal results.
Doctors sometimes mix laser treatment with food or skin medicines for better results. Results vary based on fungi type and sickness depth.
Laser treatments usually cost more than normal treatments, and insurance often doesn’t cover them. Doctors may suggest this choice for patients who can’t take systemic drugs or have infections that fight other treatments.
2. Prescription Pills That Fight Fungus
Oral antifungals are the most beneficial treatment for mild to major diseases. These medicines work through your system to attack the germs from within.
Gold Standard Treatments:
- Terbinafine (Lamisil): Stops fungus from making cell walls, causing them to die. It builds up in nail tissue for long-lasting effects.
- Itraconazole (Sporanox): Disrupts fungi cell membrane formation. Often used when terbinafine hasn’t worked well.
Effectiveness
Studies show 60 to 80% success rates based on virus strength and specific factors.
Treatment Time:
Most treatments last 6 to 12 weeks. Fingernail diseases clear faster than toenails because toenails grow more slowly.
Important Considerations
Side effects may include stomach issues, headaches, skin spots, and, rarely, liver problems.
During treatment, liver health is checked through regular blood tests. Not everyone can take these drugs, especially those with stomach or heart problems.
3. Treatments You Apply to Your Nails
Topical treatments work directly on damaged nails and have few body-wide side effects. They are best for light to mild diseases or alongside standard medicines.
Antifungal Nail Lacquers or Paints:
Common options include Ciclopirox (Penlac), Efinaconazole (Jublia), and Tavaborole (Kerydin)
How to use: Apply daily to the nail and surrounding skin. The formula slowly soaks through the nail to reach the growth below.
Timeline: It requires 6 to 12 months of regular use and works best in the early stages before nails grow.
Benefits and Drawbacks:
- Good: Few system-wide side effects, safe for those who can’t take mouth drugs
- Challenge: Thick, damaged nails block absorption, making them less effective for major cases
Urea Nail Softening Kits: These smooth, hard, damaged nail parts remove sick tissue and help antifungal medicines enter better. It’s perfect for extremely thick nails with deep disease.
4. When Your Nail Needs to Be Removed
Nail removal is suggested for dangerous diseases that cause major pain or other failed treatments. Removing the damaged nail can directly remove the germs and allow healthy growth.
Methods:
- Surgical Removal: The entire affected nail is removed in a simple process. This helps doctors to treat the nail bed directly with antifungal medicines.
- Chemical Removal: A urea-based paste or other chemicals gradually soften and remove the nail without surgery.
Recovery
A new nail takes 6 to 18 months to grow back fully. During this time, the nail stays weak and can easily become infected again.
Risks
Possible effects include nail deformation, scars, or new illnesses. Careful care and regular doctor visits are essential during healing.
Store-Bought Products: What They Can (and Can’t) Do
OTC antifungal products work for light cases or protection but often lack strength for established nail infections.
Common Ingredients:
- Clotrimazole and Miconazole: Found in creams and sprays for skin fungus diseases like athlete’s foot.
- Lower Concentrations of Terbinafine: Available OTC but too weak to enter the nail correctly.
Efficacy: These medicines rarely penetrate deep enough into the nail where the fungus lives. The thick nail structure prevents most chemical medicines from working properly.
Best Use: Most helpful for early skin diseases or as add-ons to more potent drug treatments. They rarely work alone for true nail fungus (onychomycosis).
5. Home Remedies: What You Should Know
Home cures offer low-cost choices, but use them carefully and never replace proven medical treatments.
Common Examples:
- Vicks VapoRub: Contains camphor and eucalyptus oil with possible mild antifungal benefits when used regularly.
- Tea Tree Oil: Tea Tree Oil has natural antibiotic benefits, but its quality varies and may hurt the skin.
- Vinegar Soaks: Apple cider vinegar makes a sour environment that may slow bacteria growth.
These methods lack strong scientific proof. They should be used alongside normal treatments, not as substitutes.
Talk to your healthcare provider before trying home treatments, especially for serious illnesses.
How to Keep Fungal Infections from Coming Back
After treatment, you need to create conditions that stop fungus from returning. This takes daily care and good habits.
- Keep feet dry and clean: Wash your feet daily and dry them totally, especially between the toes. If you sweat a lot, use antifungal powder.
- Wear better shoes: Choose light materials, such as cotton socks and shoes with mesh. Change your shoes daily so they can dry out. Avoid tight boots, which can damage your nails.
- Protect yourself in public places: Wear shoes in gym bathrooms, pools, and changing rooms.
- Take care of your nails: Trim them straight across and keep them short. Clean your nail tools regularly. Skip nail polish during treatment.
- Treat linked problems quickly: Address athlete’s foot fast and control issues like diabetes.
Conclusion
Beating fungal nail problems takes time and consistency. For the best results, choose oral medicines, skin treatments, or advanced laser therapy and pair them with good safety habits.
Remember: This is a trip, not a race. Full healing takes 6 to 18 months. Don’t wait if you think you have a fungal problem. See a doctor for a good review and a specific treatment plan. Take action now toward better, cleaner nails.