Treatment
The treatment of nail fungus varies according to the stage and extent of the disease. Affected patients do not always have to resort immediately to expensive medication. Especially in case of light infestation, household remedies such as apple vinegar, baking powder or toothpaste are a good alternative to conventional treatment.
In general, if nail fungus is present, the infected nail should be removed at regular intervals. As constant source of infection it passes the causative fungus spores on otherwise also to healthy nail substance. The nail should be kept as short as possible for this reason.
Frequent cutting and filing of the affected areas helps to contain the infection quickly. Nail scissors as well as the used file should be cleaned with disinfectant after each treatment. Sand leaf files cannot be cleaned thoroughly and must therefore be disposed of immediately.
If only the outer edge of the nail shows a nail fungus, the treatment can be effectively carried out by applying various lacquers and ointments. Before application, the nail surface should be roughened with a file. In addition, it is advisable to remove the infected areas at least partially with a scraper.
In this way, the active ingredients can better penetrate the infected nail and develop their effect there. Although the fungus is killed by the application of the varnishes and ointments, the unsightly discoloration on the nail remains for a while. Here the patients must practice patience until new, healthy nails have grown back.
With additional infestation of the nail bed, however, these ointments are ineffective. In such cases, the only treatment that can ultimately be used is the intake of an oral antimycotic. Anti-fungal substances (antimycotics) are stored directly in the newly growing nail and protect it from colonization by the fungus.
Alternatively, pure acetic acid can be used in addition to acetic acid essence. Since pure acetic acid is a much more corrosive substance, the advantage of nail fungus treatment with acetic acid is the comparatively higher effectiveness. Due to the higher aggressiveness of acetic acid, however, local skin reactions and strong burning sensations are much more frequent.
In addition, the nail surface, which is attacked by the nail fungus anyway, can be further affected by applying pure acetic acid. The therapy of the nail fungus with acetic acid is thus the more effective, but also clearly more side effect rich therapy form. Especially persistent nail fungus, which does not react successfully to all conventional treatment methods, can be treated with a laser.
The principle of this treatment is the dissolution of the nail by laser. What used to be attempted by pulling the nail, can now be done with this new method. Basically there are two disadvantages of pulling the nail.
One is the increased risk of infection and bleeding after the procedure. The other one is that the completely affected nail is removed, but the nail bed, which carries the actual nail fungus, is left in its original form. If the new nail grows back, in many cases, a new attack of nail fungus will occur.
The treatment with the laser has fewer complications than the conventional method.The procedure carries almost no risk of bleeding or infection, it can be applied and successfully performed even in high-risk patients and also in pregnant women. The nail is completely vaporized by the laser beams. The structures adjacent to the nail are also destroyed.
The top layer of the nail bed is also removed by the laser treatment. This has the consequence that the spores in the nail bed are destroyed and can no longer cause infection in the growing nail. In contrast to the conventional method, the laser treatment is painless.
A so-called erbium laser is used for the treatment. This laser was developed in the USA, then tested for a long time in studies and has been in clinical use for some time. Despite the good success rate, the treatment costs are usually not paid by a statutory health insurance company.
There are a few private health insurance companies that cover payment. 70-80% of the treated patients do not have a returning nail fungus after a laser treatment. However, an infection of another fungus is possible at any time, i.e. the laser treatment only treats the currently present fungus and does not prevent a new infection.
For this reason, it is advisable to prevent a new infection of a fungus as best as possible. This is mainly done by regularly disinfecting the foot after a visit to the swimming pool. Furthermore, regular airing of wet rooms and humid rooms.
In addition, shoes should be changed at regular intervals to avoid the proliferation of fungi. A nail fungus treatment with a laser takes about 20-30 minutes. It must be carried out between 3 or 4 sessions in a row to treat the nail and the nail fungus.
The cost of a laser treatment is 90 euros per session. Medicines available at the pharmacy for the treatment of nail fungus can be very expensive. For this reason, many affected people swear by the use of simple household remedies.
Apart from the cost factor, many of these natural products impress with their much better tolerability and their simple application. The most important household remedies against nail fungus are: Tea tree or lavender oil is one of the most frequently used home remedies in the treatment of fungal diseases of the nail. Both oils are easy to use, work quickly and thoroughly and can be found in most households.
Both tea tree oil and lavender oil are said to have a strong antifungal (fungicidal) effect. Furthermore, they have the advantage of having no chemical additives. Tea Tree Oil and Lavender Oil are completely natural substances that usually do not cause any side effects.
The actual application of tea tree or lavender oil only takes a few minutes. The person affected by nail fungus soaks a cloth or a cotton ball in the oil solution and then spreads it generously on the affected nail. This procedure should be repeated approximately three to four times a day for a period of one week to achieve the best results.
Already on the third day of application, a first improvement can be seen on the affected nail. If the nail fungus infection does not disappear within 2 weeks despite regular application of the oil, a doctor should be consulted urgently and asked for advice. An alternative to treating the nail fungus with tea tree or lavender oil is the use of olive or oregano oil.
The application of these home remedies is just as simple. However, the nail should be allowed a longer healing time. Baking powder can be found in almost every household.
It is one of the most promising household remedies in the treatment of nail fungus. Before application, the baking powder is mixed with some water and thus liquefied. In the end the tough mass can be applied to the affected nail.
Also the baking powder method is not effective after a single application. The procedure must be repeated several times over a period of one to two weeks. A medical explanation for the effectiveness of the baking powder in nail fungus therapy is not yet known.
By applying own urine to the affected nail areas, the growth of the nail fungus can be inhibited and thus its spread can be stopped. Although most affected patients are reluctant to use own urine, this method is highly effective. Especially in the early stages, the nail fungus can be completely removed by contact with own urine.In the case of nail mycosis in an advanced stage, however, a successful therapy cannot be guaranteed.
Autologous urine can also be used successfully for allergic reactions and various infectious diseases. Garlic is considered a classic among the household remedies against nail fungus. This household remedy is also impressive both because of its good effectiveness and its extremely simple application.
In the nail fungus therapy, garlic should unfold its effect after consumption from within. The affected patient can either eat the garlic raw or press it into a juice and drink it afterwards. Particularly stubbornly affected nail areas can be additionally coated with garlic juice.
With this method, the first results can be observed after only a few days. Garlic cannot only be used to treat nail fungus. It also serves to prevent fungal infections and a variety of other diseases.
Another household remedy against nail fungus is Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate). Although very few households have Epsom salt, it can be purchased in most pharmacies or drugstores. To treat nail fungus, a small amount of the salt is sprinkled into a tub filled with it.
Afterwards, the person affected should let their feet soak in the solution for about half an hour. First success can be expected after about one to two weeks. The probably most cost-effective method to treat nail fungus from home is the use of toothpaste.
The fluorine contained in most toothpastes has an antimycotic (fungicidal) effect. The affected nail should be covered with a thick layer of toothpaste. The success of this method can be observed after only a few days.
The most popular household remedy against nail fungus is probably apple vinegar. Apple vinegar is easy to obtain and not expensive. Besides, the actual application of this product is quite simple.
The vinegar should be diluted with tap water in the ratio 1:1 before application. Afterwards the affected patient soaks a cloth or a cotton ball in the solution and then rubs it carefully over the nail fungus. Subsequently, it is important to ensure that the affected nail area is completely dried.
The affected person should also put on freshly washed socks after the vinegar application. The mechanism of action of apple vinegar (all other types of vinegar can also be used) is based on its fungicidal properties. Furthermore, a foot bath in apple vinegar can stimulate the blood circulation and thus promote the healing process.
Both the dabbing of the nail and the 10-20 minute foot bath should be done at least once a day over a period of one week. First healing successes with nail fungus should be visible after a few days. Tea tree oil originally comes from Australia and has proven itself for generations as a natural remedy for many ailments.
It is obtained by water distillation from the branches and leaves of the tea tree and is thus 100% natural. Its antiseptic, bactericidal (effective against bacteria) and fungicidal (effective against fungi) effect is scientifically confirmed and so tea tree oil is used in alternative medicine, e.g. for the treatment of acne and psoriasis, mollusc warts, as well as for muscle pain, open wounds, rheumatism, smoker’s cough, varicose veins and last but not least fungal diseases such as nail fungus. Tea tree oil consists of approx.
100 different substances, to emphasize are for example Cineol and Terpinen. Tea tree oil can be obtained in every drugstore and pharmacy for little money, and due to its naturalness many side effects of chemical preparations are omitted. However, when using Tea Tree Oil you should always pay attention to an appropriate dosage or dilution, as otherwise the skin may become dry or irritated.
Recommendations for application and dosage are supplied with the preparation when you buy it, in case of doubt it is better to consult your pharmacist. Tea tree oil can be used both for the prevention of nail fungus, for example in case of frequent visits to the swimming pool, and for the treatment of nail fungus. A small plaster or gauze bandage can be soaked with tea tree oil and applied to the diseased nail, or the affected nail can simply be rubbed with the oil several times a day.
A foot bath with a few drops of tea tree oil can also prevent and combat nail fungus, as well as preventing unpleasant foot odor and excessive perspiration.The application of a special varnish against nail fungus is only useful if less than 70% of the nail bed is affected. The commercial varnish for nail fungus therapy is based on the active ingredients: produced. All these active substances are counted in the pharmacy to the group of the antimycotics and unfold their effect by the direct killing of the nail fungus.
The choice of the suitable active substance depends on the type of nail fungus. In order to determine which varnish must be used for treatment, a sample should be taken from the affected nail. Special varnish against nail fungus can be used without hesitation over a longer period of time.
Before applying the varnish, the affected nail should be softened. Only in this way can it be ensured that the active ingredient can penetrate to the nail bed and develop its antifungal effect. The varnish against nail fungus is usually transparent and waterproof.
In this way it is not perceived as annoying by the affected patient, nor can it be rinsed off when washing hands. By applying the varnish, fungal attack of the nail and nail bed can be effectively contained and treated. Usually the first successes of the treatment of the nail fungus show after a few days.
The effect of the varnish is not affected even after simultaneous application of a colored nail varnish. To remove the nail fungus completely, the varnish should be applied for some time after the symptoms have disappeared.
- Bifonazole
- Clotrimazole
- Ciclopirox
- Amorolfin
As soon as a large part of the nail bed (more than 70%) is affected by the fungus, the application of a special varnish can no longer achieve sufficient effect.
The infected nail bed ensures that the newly formed nail substance is immediately reinfected. For this reason, treatment with tablets must be initiated immediately for the affected patients. The therapy of the nail fungus is carried out with orally applicable antimycotics (anti-fungal substances).
These are deposited in the growing nail and protect it from infection. Antimycotics must urgently be taken consistently. The application should be continued until the complete nail has grown out and new nail substance has developed.
In the case of fingernails, this can take between three and six months. Foot nails usually grow much slower, and the duration of treatment is correspondingly longer. The tablets against nail fungus have a number of side effects.
In addition, they can strongly influence the effectiveness of other tablets. Consultation with a doctor before starting to take the tablets is therefore urgently necessary. In general, it can be said that the external treatment of nail fungus (using household remedies, varnish or creams) is much gentler.
For this reason the therapy should be started as soon as possible. As soon as a large part of the nail bed is affected, the treatment can only be carried out by taking tablets. At the latest if the independent treatment of the nail fungus shows no effect, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
Many patients suffering from nail fungus, however, wonder which doctor is the right contact person for this clinical picture. In case of doubt: always contact the treating family doctor first. This can coordinate the further procedure and organize a suitable specialist. Which doctor is suitable for the treatment of nail fungus depends on the severity of the disease. In some cases the therapy can be carried out by medical nail care personnel.
