Toenail fungus is a common fungal infection of the feet. More than 30 percent of all Americans suffer from toenail fungus at some point in their lives, usually after puberty. Fungus thrives in warm, dark, and humid environments where there is little light or air, so people often get toenail fungus after walking barefoot on the shower or locker room floor, or after wearing sweaty socks continuously. The fungi break down and then live off the skin cells of the feet. They are contagious and can spread rapidly from person to person, especially in public pool areas or locker rooms. Fungi take over more in people whose beneficial gut flora is out of balance.
Toenail fungus often begins between the third and fourth webs of the fingers and then spreads to the arches and soles of the feet. There may be small ulcers between the toes. The fungus causes redness, scaling, blistering, burning, and itching on the feet. It can also lead to a secondary bacterial infection. If the toenails are affected, there may be crumbling, thickening, and discoloration of the nails.
In mild cases, toenail fungus can usually be treated fairly well 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, the expertise of a physician will be necessary. Your doctor can confirm the diagnosis of toenail fungus by looking at a few loose flakes of skin under a microscope and culturing scrapings of skin to look for fungus.
Toenail fungus cure with conventional treatment
Over-the-counter clotrimazole (Lotrimin) cream or powder, undecylenic acid (in Desenex and other products), and miconazole (Micatin, Zeasorb-AF) 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, although expensive. A convenient aerosol of terbinafine (Lamisil) has also been developed. More recently, oxiconazole cream (Oxistat) has been found to be safe for children up to one month of age. This medicine has a convenient dosage once a day.
Recurrences can be prevented by washing the feet with selenium sulfide shampoo (Excel, Selsun) or ketoconazole (Nizoral) several times a week.
Oral griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin, Grisactin, Gris-PEG) is used for more severe, resistant cases that do not respond to topical treatments. This drug can cause gastrointestinal upset and, in rare cases, liver toxicity, so caution should be exercised. However, oral antifungals are necessary if the toenails are involved.
Oral ketaconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Di-flu can), and terbinafine (Lamisil) are the newest oral medications in dermatologists’ armamentarium for fungal infections. They are quite expensive, but oral treatment is necessary if the toenails are involved.
If your feet sweat a lot, use medications such as aluminum chloride or Drysol on the bottoms of your feet to decrease sweating. This will make you less susceptible to getting toenail fungus.
Home remedy for toenail fungus diet cures
Eat a balanced diet with lots of vegetables.
Include plenty of yogurt and other foods that contain acidophilus in your diet.
Avoid coffee, cola, tea, and chocolate. These foods increase the alkalinity of the skin, making it more desirable for fungi.
Avoid sugary foods, such as honey and fruit juices. Mushrooms thrive on sugar.
Avoid yeast-leavened foods like beer and breads made with yeast.
Nutritional Supplements for Toenail Fungus Natural Cure
Acidophilus supplements replenish “friendly” bacteria that inhibit pathogens like fungi. Take 1 teaspoon of acidophilus powder or two capsules on an empty stomach twice a day.
Take a multivitamin that includes the B vitamins and vitamins A and E every day.
Vitamin C increases immunity against fungi. Take 3,000 milligrams of vitamin C with bioflavonoids daily.
Zinc boosts immunity, inhibits fungus and helps heal skin tissue. Take 50 milligrams daily, with food.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a good source of sulfur, which is believed to combat fungus. It is now available as a cream or spray to be applied topically to the affected areas.