This article discusses the variety of fungus toenail treatments available to consumers. It divides the various options into four categories: prescription drugs, over the counter (OTC) conventional treatments, natural healing remedies, and traditional home remedies.
None of the remedies discussed here have proven to be 100 percent effective treatment for toenail fungus. For the prescription drugs and some natural healing remedies, the results of clinical trials and/or other scientific studies are available. For most of the traditional home remedies, anecdotal evidence is all we have - that is, the reports by people who have used them that they do work. OTC conventional products are basically not recommended by anyone for the treatment of fungal nail infections.
Oral prescription medications include Lamisil (terbinafine), Sporanox (itraconazole), and Diflucan (fluconazole). Lamisil appears to be the most effective treatment for toenail fungus in this group. While these treatment regimens have the advantage of being relatively easy, they do have rare severe side effects, and they are quite expensive if you have to pay for them out of pocket. People taking these fungus toenail treatments should be monitored for toxicity due to the drugs. There is one topical prescription drug available: Penlac (ciclopirox) nail lacquer is painted directly onto the affected nails, but can only be used when the infection is not advanced.
OTC antifungal ointments, creams and lotions may work quite well for fungal skin infections, but they are not recommended for nails simply because they are not an effective treatment for toenail fungus. They are applied to the nail topically, and they don't penetrate the thick nail to kill the fungus, which is protected in the nail bed below the nail. If you want to try one of these medications, it might be a good idea to combine it with one of the other types of remedy to increase the probability of success.
There are many natural healing remedies available today to consumers; some of them incorporate an oral product. Some of these products may be effective treatment for toenail fungus. Perhaps the most promising ingredient in natural remedies is the essential oil, Tea tree oil, which is produced in Australia. Studies of this extract are encouraging, and a number of natural remedies contain it, blended with other herbal ingredients. Tea tree oil is even available in pure form, however there is some risk of skin sensitivity so this may not be best way to use it. Other natural remedies may be worthwhile fungus toenail treatments, but scientific evidence for or against them is generally lacking, simply because the research has not been done.
Finally, there are a lot of traditional, or simply inventive, home fungus toenail treatments. They include soaking the feet in various solutions, or applying substances that are thought to be antifungal. The substances employed include chlorine bleach, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, dark beer combined with a lactobacillus, Vicks VapoRub, Listerine mouthwash, DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), and others. Some people swear by a drink of apple cider vinegar, twice daily, to cure and prevent fungal toenail infections. Again, the primary focus for an effective treatment for toenail fungus rests with getting the treatment beyond the nail to the fungus.
