Toenail fungus is a common fungal infection of the feet. Over 30 percent of all Americans will experience toenail fungus at some point in their lives, usually after puberty. Fungi thrive in warm, dark, and humid environments where there is little light or air, so people often get toenail fungus after walking barefoot on shower floors or in locker rooms, or after constantly wearing sweaty socks. The fungi then decompose and feed on the skin cells of the feet. They are contagious and can spread quickly from person to person, especially in public swimming pools or changing rooms. Mushrooms take over people whose beneficial intestinal flora is out of balance.
Toenail fungus commonly begins between the third and fourth toes and then spreads to the arches and soles of the feet. Small ulcers can develop between the toes. The fungus causes redness, scaling, blistering, burning and itching of the feet. It can also lead to a secondary bacterial infection. When the toenails are affected, the nails may break, thicken, and become discolored.
In mild cases, toenail fungus is usually fairly easy to treat at home. However, if a secondary bacterial infection develops, if the nails are affected, if the case is chronic and severe, or if the affected person has a compromised immune system, a doctor’s expertise is needed. Your doctor can confirm the diagnosis of toenail fungus by looking at some loose flakes of skin under a microscope and culturing skin scrapings for fungi.
Cure for toenail fungus with conventional treatment
Over-the-counter clotrimazole (Lotrimin), undecylenic acid (found in Desenex and other products), and miconazole (Micatin, Zeasorb-AF) cream or powder are effective for early, mild cases of toenail fungus.
Prescription creams containing ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Monistat-Derm), itraconazole (Sporanox), or fluconazole (Diflucan) are very effective, albeit expensive. A convenient terbinafine (Lamisil) spray has also been developed. More recently, Oxiconazole (Oxistat) cream has been found to be safe for children as young as one month old. This drug has a convenient once-daily dosage.
Recurrences can be prevented by washing the feet several times a week with selenium sulfide (Excel, Selsun) or ketoconazole (Nizoral) shampoo.
Oral griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin, Grisactin, Gris-PEG) is used for more severe, more resistant cases that don’t respond to topical treatments. This drug can cause gastrointestinal upset and in rare cases, liver toxicity, so caution is advised. However, oral antifungal medications are required when the toenails are affected.
Oral ketaconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Di-Flu-Dose), and terbinafine (Lamisil) are the newest oral antifungal medications in the dermatologist’s arsenal. They are quite expensive, but oral treatment is necessary when the toenails are affected.
If your feet sweat profusely, use medications like aluminum chloride or Drysol on your soles to reduce sweating. This makes you less prone to toenail fungus.
Nail fungus home remedies diet cures
Eat a balanced diet with lots of vegetables.
Include plenty of yogurt and other acidophilus-containing foods in your diet.
Avoid coffee, cola, tea and chocolate. These foods increase the skin’s alkalinity, making it more desirable to fungi.
Avoid sugary foods, including honey and fruit juices. Mushrooms thrive on sugar.
Avoid yeasty foods like beer and bread with yeast.
Dietary supplement for natural remedy for toenail fungus
Acidophilus supplements complement the “friendly” bacteria that inhibit pathogens like fungi. Take 1 teaspoon of Acidophilus powder or two capsules twice daily on an empty stomach.
Consume a daily multivitamin containing the B vitamins and vitamins A and E.
Vitamin C increases immunity to fungi. Take 3,000 milligrams of vitamin C with bioflavonoids daily.
Zinc increases immunity, inhibits fungi and helps heal skin tissues. Take 50 milligrams daily with food.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a good source of sulfur that is believed to fight fungus. It is now available in cream or spray form to be applied topically to affected areas.
Thanks to Charles Silverman N.D.
