HWN Suggests

Ask Well: Remedies for Nail Fungus

With the exception of skin allergies, topical antifungals carry little risk of side effects, but they remain unpopular with patients. “It’s not because they don't work,” Dr. Markinson said. “It’s that they must be used for a minimum of one year on a daily basis to have any chance at a cure. Most patients lose enthusiasm after the first three months.” If you prefer a more natural alternative, there is some evidence that thymol oil, an antiseptic derived from thyme, may help. Proponents of thymol advocate adding the oil to regular footbaths, or coating the affected toenail once or twice a day with Vicks VapoRub. The risks in this case are allergic skin reactions and temporary reddening of the…

read full article

Featured

 Staying one step ahead of toenail fungus

Over-the-counter products. Antifungal preparations that are applied on and under the nail with the same type of brush used for polish are widely available. They might improve the appearance of fungal nails, but are not an effective way to cure the problem. No one product is clearly superior. Prescription topical treatments. Effective products include efinaconazole (Jublia), tavaborole (Kerydin) and ciclopirox (Penlac). All require daily applications, and it may take as long as a year to see noticeable improvement. These products may work for early, superficial fungal infections because they kill fungi on the surface of the nail. Filing down the surface of the nail may enable them to penetrate more deeply into the nail or the nail bed. In studies, their cure rate averaged around 35%.

Articles of Interest

Alternative Medicine Cabinet: Thyme for Toenails

Conventional treatments are expensive, have a low success rate and can carry significant side-effects. The prescription drug Lamisil, for example, can cause liver damage. But those who want a natural alternative can try remedies that contain thymol, the primary oil found in thyme, a well-known herb and antiseptic. Thymol is commonly found in medicated chest rubs, including Vicks VapoRub.

Explainer: why do we get fungal nail infections and how can we treat them?

About 10% of us (including 20% of people over 60 and 50% of people over 70) suffer from fungal nail infections. So why do we get them, and does it matter?

It's Costing A Lot Of Money To Make Those Toenails Fungus-Free

The bills can rack up fast when trying to cure toenail fungus, and it's not always easy to know which drug to use. Costs can range from over $2,000 for treating one nail to just $10 for a pill that treats all 10 toes but could have bad side effects. Then there are the costly lab tests to confirm that the curling yellow rot chewing through a toenail is in fact mold.

A Polish to Fight Nail Fungus

Special nail polish can help prevent toenail-fungus infection from recurring after it has been treated.

Ask Well: Laser Treatments for Nail Fungus

The appeal of lasers is that they selectively heat and destroy harmful fungi while sparing healthy surrounding tissue. And some small studies and lab tests suggest they can kill the fungi and cure the condition. But in one of the best studies to date, published last year in The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that laser treatments produced no improvements in patients with toenail fungus, even after five sessions.

Ask Well: Leaving Nail Fungus Untreated

Fungal infections of the nail can be difficult to treat. As a previous Ask Well column noted, plenty of remedies exist, but none are certain. And the one considered most effective, the drug Lamisil, is associated with rare cases of liver damage. So it is no surprise that some people would consider covering up their feet and turning a blind eye to the problem.

Cost-cutting option in treating nail fungus with nanotechnology

Onychomycosis, a nail fungus that causes nail disfigurement, pain, and increased risk of soft tissue infection, impacts millions of people worldwide. There are several topical antifungal treatments currently available; however, treatment failure remains high due to a number of factors.

Could tea tree oil help treat acne or athlete’s foot?

Tea tree oil is one of the most studied natural remedies for nail fungus, but research has been inconsistent. Many studies lacked control groups or did not compare tea tree oil to approved antifungal treatments. Differences in study methods and varying success rates make it difficult to draw firm conclusions about its effectiveness. Still, some studies suggest that tea tree oil, when applied regularly, may help improve the appearance of affected nails. A 1994 study found tea tree oil to be as effective as clotrimazole, a common antifungal cream. In contrast, a 1999 study showed that a combination cream containing tea tree oil and the antifungal medication butenafine hydrochloride cured nail fungus in 80% of participants, while tea tree oil alone had no effect. A 2024 laboratory study found that tea tree oil could kill certain fungal strains in a test tube. But its real-world effects remain unclear, and more human studies are needed to confirm its long-term benefits, safety, and effectiveness.

Fungus Got Your Toes? Zap It

A growing number of doctors are offering an expensive laser procedure they say zaps away a common fungus that causes ugly, discolored nails. Published data on laser treatment for nail fungus is scant, but early results suggest it is a reasonable option for people who don't want the side effects of oral medications.

How to Actually Get Rid of Toenail Fungus

You don’t have to have have crumbly, discolored, unhealthy nails forever. Toenail fungus is more treatable, maybe even curable, than you think. True, it can take a while to get rid of, depending on what treatment you choose.

How to Treat Toenail Fungus

The treatment of toenail fungus involves a variety of options, each with its own benefits and limitations. Oral antifungal medications like terbinafine and azoles are highly effective but may have side effects. Topical treatments such as efinaconazole and tavaborole offer a safer alternative with moderate efficacy. Device-based treatments, including laser therapy and PDT, provide additional options, particularly for those who cannot tolerate systemic medications. Consulting a healthcare provider is essential to determine the most appropriate treatment based on individual needs and medical history.

Most People Treat Toenail Fungus the Wrong Way — Here’s What Really Works

If you’ve been treating nail fungus with creams or powders, you’re only addressing half the problem. Experts now say fungus can live underneath the nail, protected by a sticky film that makes traditional treatments useless. That’s why this natural oil formula is so different.

Nail fungus: Learn More – Nail fungus: Polish, cream or tablets?

Nail fungus can be very persistent. The most suitable treatment will depend on things like how much the infection has spread. Topical treatment with nail polish may take up to one year. Tablets for treating fungal nail infections usually have to be taken for several weeks or months.

The 5 Best Nail Fungus Treatments

Once fungus arrives it can be a slow and often invasive process to clear up the infection. The best nail fungus treatments can speed up the healing process and help remove the fungal infection. Since fungus usually shows up as a slight discoloration of the nails, it can fool anyone into believing the altered state of their nails is due to an inferior bottom coat of nail polish.

Toenail fungus: Drill to kill

But when fungi infect the toenails, they're much harder to get rid of. The fungi that cause toenail infections are known collectively as dermatophytes. When they get underneath a toenail, dermatophytes feast on the proteins in the nail, which results in the nail getting yellow, thick, and brittle. The toenails of the big and pinkie toes are affected most often.

Use Vicks VapoRub To Cure Toenail Fungus

We've heard that Vicks VapoRub can cure toenail fungus before (it's also helpful when you've got a cold!), but the New York Times recently put it to the test. The results: The thyme in VapoRub can in fact do the job.

Resources

The 7 Best Toenail Fungus Treatments, According to Dermatologists

These OTC treatments will turn your nails from yellow and brittle to clear and strong.

7 Foot and Toenail Fungus Treatments You Can Make at Home

Cure your discomfort using these natural products from your pantry.

Emuaid

Medical grade homeopathic EMUAID® is a uniquely engineered antibacterial, anti-fungal ointment that RAPIDLY reduces the pain, inflammation and symptoms for 100+ difficult-to-treat skin conditions.