How do I Cure a Fungal Nail Infection?
If you feel pain or discomfort around your toes or fingers, if your nails are discolored (yellow or white), distorted in shape, thick, crumbly, separated from the nail bed, or have jagged edges, you may be showing symptoms of a fungal infection, or onychomycosis. It is important to treat the infection, because once it begins it may continue to persist indefinitely if it is not treated properly.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Topical or oral medication
- Nail trimmer or file
- 100 percent cotton socks
- Nail clipper
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1
Cut nails short and file down any thicker areas. Do not use the same trimmer or file on both infected and healthy nails.
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2
Purchase over-the counter anti-fungal foot powder. Sprinkle the powder inside the socks to help keep the feet dry.
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3
Wear 100 percent cotton socks if wearing closed-toe shoes.
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4
Change socks often when feet become damp or wet from sweat.
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5
Wear shoes that have a wider toe area to provide good support. Refrain from wearing any shoes that press toes together, such as pointed shoes.
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6
Do not walk barefoot in public areas that have warm or moist floors, such as in locker rooms.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Oral medicines are more effective than topical treatments and help new nails grow to replace the infected nail. Anti-fungal medications may need to be taken from six to 12 weeks, depending on the severity of the infection.
Make an appointment with a doctor to help in curing the fungal infection if topical medication and home remedies are not effective.
Several topical treatments and medicines can treat fungal nail infections, such as creams and polishes that can be brushed onto the top of the nail. However, using topical medicines alone is usually not successful in curing the infection.
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- Photo Credit foot, toes, sky image by Katrina Miller from Fotolia.com
