Finding the right toe fungus treatment can be a long, tedious task. Those seeking a cure have several options including prescriptions, over the counter creams and home remedies. Each one is effective, however some take more time then others.
Apple cider vinegar is the king of the pantry when it comes to home remedies. The high acidity makes it ideal for killing acid hating fungi. Unlike a lot of topical treatments the vinegar can also seep its way under the nail to treat the infection where it like to hide. With daily treatments users will start to see a healthy nail begin to grow in three to four months.
Home remedies come with pros and cons that must be weighed before deciding to use them. Home remedies are extremely cost effective, most cost pennies a day to use. They are also items commonly found in the home which makes it even more appealing. Apple cider vinegar is not a drug meaning users do not have to worry about potential side effects or drug interactions like over the counter or prescription drugs. A huge con is the time it takes, some of these treatments can take months before there a noticeable results.
Depending on the level of the infection doctors can prescribe either topical or oral anti fungal medications. Because most topical medications can not get to anything hiding under the nail oral medications are more popular. A normal course of treatment for moderate infections is 12 weeks. The first step is identifying the type of fungus that is causing the problem. Once that is done medications are usually effective.
Prescription drugs are so effective because they are tailored to the exact fungal infection effecting the patient instead of a general medication like most over the counter medications. This leads to better results than home remedies and over the counter medications. But these drugs are not without some cons. Because of the high risk of liver damage doctors ask patients to come in regularly for blood work to ensure the liver is functioning normally. Failure to do this can be deadly.
The most recent advancement in fugal infection treatment is lasers. Doctors use them to heat the infection up so high it kills the organism. The procedure has been effective in small test groups but is still inconclusive in larger test samples.
Only having to go through one procedure is a huge pro compared to months of medication with other methods. Because the infection has been killed many will also notice results sooner. However there is the expense to consider because insurance does not cover it.
The best way to ensure any of these treatments are effective is by practicing proper foot care. Keep nails trimmed as short as comfortable possible, wear socks made out of natural fibers, do not allow the foot to stay wet for any period of time and wear shoes that breathe.
When it comes to toe fungus treatment there are a number of options out there. Most options will take months before results are noticeable so patience is a must. Beautiful toes are worth the wait.
Marie is a foot health expert specializing in treatment for toe fungus. .
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