Fungal infections involve fungi invading your nails or skin. They can cause brittleness, discoloration, or thickness.
Nail-invading fungi survive in warm and moist environments. They attack fingernails and toenails and spread fast in people with poor foot hygiene, weak immune systems, and diabetes. The condition is rampant in seniors and athletes.
People who visit public pools and wear tight shoes can also get fungal infections.
People with such infections suffer discomfort in their toes and nail discoloration and thickening. Treating fungal infections prevents permanent nail damage. Proper antifungal nail treatment administration guarantees fast and efficient outcomes. Treatment time depends on nail growth rate, infection severity, and treatment method.
Here is a general timeline for the four widely adopted antifungal nail treatments.
1. Topical Antifungal Treatment
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Topical antifungal treatments include medicated nail lacquers, creams, and ointments applicable to the affected nail to kill the fungi infection. It is prevalent for moderate and mild nail fungal infections. The treatment targets the fungus on the surface and seldom interferes with the surrounding areas.
Many anti fungal nail treatment podiatry clinics recommend ointments, urea-based creams, tea-tree oil, and lacquers to soften the nails and reduce fungal growth.
Topical treatments are effective. The efficacy rates depend on the fungi type and severity. Podiatrists recommend combining topical treatments with regular nail trimming, adequate foot hygiene, and maintaining dry feet.
The treatment timeline for antifungal topical solutions varies from 6 to 12 months. Apply the medication daily and continue with the treatment until healthy nail tissues replace the infected portions.
Topical antifungals are ideal for everyone with fungal nail infections. Consider topical antifungals when you have liver issues or reactions to oral medications. Furthermore, treatments applied on the skin and nail surface are excellent for pregnant women and elderly persons.
2. Oral Antifungal Treatment
Have you tried treating fungal nail infections with topical medications and failed? Oral medication treats the condition from within your body, killing nail and skin fungal infections.
Podiatrists recommend oral medications for people with moderate and severe nail infections who fail to respond to topical treatments. Some highly recommended oral medications are Itraconazole and Terbinafine. They are effective in eradicating infections to prevent further growth. Some nail doctors may recommend Griseofulvin and Fluconazole for patients with specific medical conditions.
Oral antifungal medications are more effective than topical treatments. They have an efficiency rate of 60 to 80%. Full recovery takes several weeks for most patients. However, the fungus may reoccur when you fail to maintain proper foot hygiene.
The typical oral treatment takes 6 to 12 weeks. Considering toenails grow slowly, full recovery may take up to 12 months. Follow the doctor’s instructions and recommendations carefully, ensuring you complete the treatment course to prevent reinfection.
Oral antifungal treatments are best for people with persistent or severe fungal infections. Unfortunately, those with medication interactions, liver disease, and kidney problems may find these treatments ineffective. Therefore, always seek a doctor’s assessment and recommendations before starting the treatment.
3. Laser Treatment
People who have tried oral and topical antifungal nail treatments without success should consider more effective alternatives. Laser treatment is a non-invasive procedure that channels regulated laser energy to the affected areas to kill the fungal cells beneath the nail without damaging surrounding tissues. It is the most effective alternative to topical and oral treatments. Additionally, it works for recurring and stubborn infections.
Medical clinics use specialized lasers, including diode, Nd: YAG, and CO2. These devices emit heat that can penetrate the nails to destroy the fungus without impacting the surrounding areas. FDA-approved devices are the best, and some top options are Cutera GenesisPlus, PinPointe FootLaser, and Lunula Laser.
Recent years have shown the efficiency and reliability of laser therapy. It has success rates of 60 to 80%. However, efficiency rates depend on the sessions a user attends and the quality of the treatment. Multiple sessions involving proper and controlled treatment can restore your nails and activate healthy regrowth.
The treatment time usually depends on the patient, the sessions attended, and the severity of the condition. Two to three sessions after some weeks are enough for most patients. These sessions usually take 20-25 minutes. Because toenails grow slowly, users should expect to witness positive results within 6 weeks. Some patients may wait 12 months until they witness positive outcomes.
Do you have liver concerns or drug interactions? Laser treatments are excellent alternatives to oral fungal medications and topical treatments. It is ideal for people seeking quick, pain-free, and chemical treatment.
4. Surgical Nail Removal
Some toenail fungal infections may require more advanced treatments. Surgical nail treatment is the fastest and the most effective treatment for nail fungus. It is also the most expensive and risky treatment. The medical procedure involves removing part or the whole infected nail section. Many podiatrists recommend surgical treatments in the place of oral and topical treatments.
Toenail surgical treatments are partial nail and complete nail avulsion. Partial nail avulsion involves removing the affected area. Complete nail avulsion removes the whole nail. In some situations, doctors may recommend phenol and other chemicals to prevent the nail from growing back.
Surgical nail removal delivers exceptional outcomes. The treatment removes the infected tissues, allowing room for new, healthier nails to grow. However, surgical treatment seldom kills the fungus. Additional treatments can help kill the fungus and prevent reinfection.
Surgical treatment takes two to six weeks to heal. New nails start growing after several months. Nails take up to 18 months to regrow. Surgical nail treatment is ideal for fungal nail patients with austere, aching, and repetitive fungal infections. Furthermore, doctors may recommend it for people with deformed or thickened nails, causing difficulty walking or discomfort.
Wrapping Up
Toenails are seldom straightforward to treat. They require consistency and patience because the infection grows with time. The best treatment depends on the severity and underlying conditions. Oral and topical antifungal medications are the standard options for mild to moderate toenail fungus infections. Surgical nail removal and laser therapy are excellent options for more severe and painful conditions.
The treatment timeline also depends on the type of treatment. Surgical and laser treatments take less time to deliver excellent outcomes. Patients without underlying health issues should consider topical and oral medications. Trim your nails, wear breathable shoes, and keep your feet clean to stop reinfections.
