I’m finally winning the battle against my toenail fungus infection. I’ve had it for five years on my big toe, but in the last few months it has started to grow out. Hopefully by the end of the year I’ll be completely fungus free. Now while that is good news, it could have been much better news. I could have eliminated the fungus within a few months, rather than having had to live with it for several years. The good news is that I can boil down what I have learned into 5 tips, so that others can treat the infections more effectively.
1) I started treating my nail fungus using so called “home remedies” such white wine vinegar foot soak and applying Vicks Vaporub. I’d read positive success stories on the internet and was hopeful that these products world work. Unfortunately they did not. I think my fungus was already too well embedded underneath my nail. It was only when I started using a specialized nail lacquer containing an FDA approved antifungal that I started to make progress. (I am using Funginix, but other treatments such as Zetaclear or Tineacide, reviewed here, are likely to be equally as effective). Now I don’t want to claim that home remedies have no part to play in the treatment as they certainly have a role to play when it comes to prevention; as a combination therapy; as well as possibly for very mild, early-stage infection.
2) My breakthrough came when I was able to stick to a consistent daily treatment routine over several months. In my view this proved to be far more important in determining my success than the actual nail fungus treatment product that I ended up using. In most cases of nail fungus, the infection is located underneath the nail (in a “subungal” position) and it is only by regular and consistent application that you are able to build up a large enough “reservoir” of medication that can then soak through the nail layers to reach the fungus.
3) It goes without saying that the earlier you start the treatment, the more quickly you will see success. In particular it is important to begin treatment before the lanula or cuticle area of the nail is infected. Otherwise you run the risk of damaging the nail matrix – the part of the nail that is responsible for new nail cell growth – and developing distorted and badly formed nail. In severe cases the nail can fall off completely and movement can be painful.
4) For the first couple of years of having the yellow discolored and brittle nails that are characteristic of a nail fungus infection, I would often wear nail polish. Although this meant I could walk around in open toed sandals without embarrassment, I have subsequently discovered that, by reducing the ability of the nail to “breathe” the polish makes the conditions within the nail more conducive to fungal growth. Like all fungal organisms the dermatophye fungus that cuases nail fungus infection grows most quickly in warm, moist, protected and dark environments.
5) My final tip is concerned with steps that I took before each application. Not only did I ensure that my toenail was trimmed as far back as possible, thoroughly clean (I used an anti-fungal soap), and dry, I also took the time to run a nail file horizontally over the surface of the nail. This helps open up the nail to the fungal medication, improving its ability to penetrate into the nail.
So there you have it. 5 lessons that I leaned about treating nail fungus infection. If you suffer from the disease I strongly urge you to follow them closely.