Treating Fungal Nail Infection: What You Need to Know



Fungal nail infection, also known as onychomycosis, is a common condition that affects both toenails and fingernails. It is caused by a fungal organism that invades the nail plate and can cause discoloration, thickening, brittleness and separation of the nail from the surrounding skin. If left untreated, the infection can worsen and spread to other nails or even other parts of the body. Fortunately, there are several treatments available to help you get rid of this annoying condition.

The first step in treating fungal nail infection is to identify which type of fungus is causing it. This can be done through a laboratory test or by visual inspection. Once you know what type of fungus you’re dealing with, your doctor can recommend an appropriate treatment plan for your individual case.

One common treatment option for fungal nail infections is antifungal medication taken orally or applied topically directly to the infected area. Oral medications include terbinafine (Lamisil), itraconazole (Sporanox) and fluconazole (Diflucan). Topical medications include ciclopirox (Penlac) solution or gel applied directly to the affected area once daily for up to 12 weeks; amorolfine hydrochloride cream; efinaconazole solution; tavaborole solution; luliconazole solution; ciclopirox olamine cream; naftifine hydrochloride cream; undecylenic acid topical solution or powder; and tea tree oil preparations.

In addition to medication, some lifestyle changes may help reduce your risk of developing a fungal nail infection in the future: keep your nails trimmed short and clean them regularly with soap and water; don’t share personal items such as towels or manicure tools with others; wear flip flops when using public showers or pools; avoid tight-fitting shoes that could trap moisture around your toes; keep feet dry throughout the day by changing socks frequently if needed; wear breathable shoes made from natural materials like leather rather than synthetic materials like plastic or vinyl which don’t allow air circulation around your feet.

If you think you may have a fungal nail infection it’s important that you visit your doctor for diagnosis so they can recommend an appropriate treatment plan for you based on their assessment of your individual case. With proper care and attention given to both medical treatments as well as lifestyle changes, this annoying condition can be managed effectively so that it doesn’t become worse over time.

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