Toenail Fungus Treatment

Fungus is a living organism that likes damp, dark environments such as the region between your toes and nails. Toenail fungus is quite a common infection that can affect just about anyone. It can be found on the feet or hands, although the feet are more common because they are trapped in shoes all day. You may be especially prone to developing the fungus if you do not change out of sweaty socks and shoes. Affected nails develop a yellow or brown discoloration that spreads from the underside.

This area of the body is difficult to clear because it is under the nail. It can be the result of chronic athlete's foot, an infection often caught in the locker room. It comes from walking around barefoot and picking up the infection from another person who already has it. This is why you should always wear shoes or flip flops in a community locker room, especially in the wet areas like the showers. It only takes one person with the infection to spread it to the rest of the group. Once you develop it, it can be difficult to cure and many people have the infection permanently unless they seek treatment. The fungus will cause the nail to thicken and curl and eventually fall off. This is accompanied by the discoloration of the nail and an unpleasant odor. The fungus usually starts under the big toe, possibly because this one is often in direct contact with a moist sock. If not treated, the fungus will spread to the other toes as well.

There are a variety of treatments available, from over the counter creams like Fungasil to home remedies like Listerine, hydrogen peroxide and bleach. The problem with many of these treatments, like the hydrogen peroxide and the bleach, is that they will help get rid of the fungus, but as soon as you stop the treatment it is likely to return. For hydrogen peroxide, use a three percent solution. With an eyedropper you can deposit it under the nail. It will kill the fungus, but it also kills helpful bacteria that protect your skin, so you do not want to continue using it too long. The bleach can be mixed with water to a twenty percent solution for soaking your foot in.

Keep the infected nail trimmed neatly and clean underneath it to remove dead skin tissue. If the nail falls off, take the opportunity thoroughly clean the area on top of the toe and let the new nail grow in. Continue daily cleanings until the nail again covers the toe. Toenails grow slowly so this can take several months. Do not let up on the daily cleanings or the fungus is likely to reappear and you will have to go through the process again. It is helpful to take an antifungal medicine available in pill form during this period. This will help to prevent a new occurrence and help your body to build immunity to the infection. The normal course of treatment is two pills per day for three months.

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