Acrylic nails are also known as false or artificial nails. They consist of liquid monomer and powder polymer that can be shaped after it dries and need to be maintained every two weeks. The term of acrylic nails usually refers to all types of false nails such as silk, gel and fiber nails. Millions of women across the world have acrylic nails applied over their natural nails, from different reasons – usually because their own nails are easily broken and cannot develop desired length, to mask and cover discolored or weak nails  or just because they want their nails to look more attractive.

Can Acrylic Nails Damage Natural Nails?

In majority of cases acrylic nails are fitted properly and they cannot cause any problems. However, if acrylic nails are not applied correctly or in case of their long term use, they can badly damage the nail bed and obstruct natural growth of the nails. Obstruction in the nail growth may cause deformed nails which can result in various defects like discolored nails or thickened nails. Sometimes, though rarely a skin irritation (dermatitis) of nail folds (the skin around the nail) as a reaction to acrylic nails components may occur. This can be complicated with a bacterial infection. However, the most frequent problem related to acrylic nails is onychomycosis or fungal infection of the nails.

Fingernail Fungus Caused by Acrylic Nails

Fingernail fungus is the most widespread problem associated with acrylic nails. Acrylic nail fungus usually occurs when acrylic nails are inadequately fitted. The false nails cannot be infected by fungus since they are artificial, but the fungi can infects the real nail plate, nail bed and nail folds. If the right application method is not followed, the gap between the natural nail bed and acrylic nails may develop. This gap creates an ideal environment for the development of nail fungus. The fungus quickly grows and spreads along the nail plate and can cause different deformities of the nail. The fingernail may lose its shine and become discolored.  Furthermore, it may thicken and as a result become crumble and easily broken. A prolonged infection that remains untreated may result in the nail plate deformity with the yellow color of the nail or its darkening and finally, the nail plate can detach from the nail bed. This condition is called onycholysis. The problem lies in the fact that infection is usually hidden under the nail and fungus cannot be identified until its different symptoms become clearly visible.

Causes of Acrylic Nail Fungus

Acrylic nail fungus infection occurs when the acrylic nail is not firmly sealed to the existing nail which forms a gap between two of these, where water can gets easily providing a perfect condition for fungus development and spreading given that fungi require warmth, darkness and moisture to develop and grow. Hence, it is important to be sure that the acrylic nails application is performed by a trained nail professional.

The most important cause of the development of acrylic nail fungus is poor hygiene. The most of beauty salons practice good hygiene using sterilized equipment and antibacterial products. However, in some salons hygiene is not on high level which is welcoming ground for the nail fungus infection to develop.

Therefore, professional fitting of acrylic nails in salon with excellent hygiene is advised to avoid acrylic nail infection. Also, any damage of the acrylic nail should be attended immediately, to get appropriate treatment prevent spreading of nail fungus infection.

Treatment – Tips to Treat Nail Fungus Caused by Acrylic Nails

What was supposed to be attractive and nice turned painful and ugly. Acrylic nail fungus can be persistent and unpleasant problem. Though, if recognized on time, acrylic nail fungus infection can be effectively treated. A few measures can be taken to treat this condition.

• Firstly, remove all the acrylic nails. Make sure that this is done by a professional who will remove the nails carefully.  All artificial nails should be removed, even if just one nail is infected, to prevent spreading of the infection.
• The natural nails should be cut as short as possible. Don’t use a nail polish for a certain period to let the nails recover appropriately.
• Visit the doctor to identify the occurrence and severity of the infection and to prescribe appropriate treatment.
• Use the prescribed medication and some home remedies to deal with the nail fungus. There are a wide variety of natural, over-the-counter solutions that can be applied directly on infected nails. Some of the most popular homeopathic remedies for nail fungus are Zetaclear™, PurNail™, Nail-Rx™, Claripro™ and Funginix™ which contain Tea Tree Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Lavender Oil and other natural ingredients beneficial for infected nails and skin due to its antifungal properties. Some of these products (Zetaclear™) include oral spray and topical solution. Laser nail fungus treatment may also be an option.
• Nail fungus treatment may take from six months to a year to cure the infection, depending on the severity of acrylic nail fungus. Nevertheless, the first improvement should be visible after eight weeks.

Acrylic Nail Fungus Prevention

To prevent occurrence of the nail fungus caused by acrylic nails, try to avoid putting these on your natural nails. Maintain your daily nail hygiene on high levels. If you still want to apply them, make sure that this is done by a nail specialist under the excellent hygiene conditions. In case you suspect the fungus infection, take the immediate steps to solve the problem.

Here is a review of the best homeopathic toenail fungus treatment available today. These top 5 products are: Zetaclear™, Nail-Rx™, FUNGINIX™, PurNail™ and Claripro™.

Zetaclear™

Zetaclear™ Clear Nail Fungus Solution .5 Oz Brush On Application

Zetaclear™ nail fungus treatment was introduced in 2007 by Market Health, the manufacturer that has developed over 80 medicines for nail fungus treatment. Today, Zetaclear™ is one of the top Over-The-Counter nail fungus remedies: surveys have shown that 80% of customers who used Zetaclear™ noticed improvement in their nails after 6 to 12 weeks of use of the product.

Zetaclear™ toenail fungus treatment is combination of two products – an oral spray and a topical solution that is put directly on the nails. The main purpose of the spray is to increase body’s immune response to infections and it kills fungus inside while topical solution attacks fungus outside, directly.

Zetaclear Ingredients

Zetaclear™ contains 100% natural ingredients: Clove oil, Tea Tree oil, Almond oil, Jojoba oil, Lemongrass oil and Undecylenic acid.

Tea Tree Oil – this is a clear essential oil taken from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia. Tea tree oil has anti-fungal effects. It has antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral and antibacterial properties that work together to kill infections quickly and successfully.

Clove Oil – this oil is well-known for its analgesic and antiseptic properties and it is broadly used in dentistry and medicine for treatment of different conditions.

Almond Oil – extracted from almond nuts, this oil has very long history. Since it is mild and non-irritating, it can be applied directly to the skin.

Jojoba Oil – Jojoba oil is known for its anti-fungal effects; the liquid wax is produced in the seed of the jojoba plant.

Vitamin E Oil – this oil is powerful antioxidant, thus has the important impact on cell functions.

Lemongrass Oil – also known as a powerful fungicide; it helps the normal process of nail-bed and skin regeneration. It is also used in aromatherapy and in Asia where is native is widely used in cooking.

Undecylenic Acid – this is an organic substance obtained from castor oil, approved by FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Undecylenic acid is widely used in treating fungal infections. It inhibits biological processes of fungus infection, and therefore prevents it from spreading and growing.

How to Use Zetaclear™?

Zetaclear™ Nail Fungus Treatment – Oral Homeopathic Spray and Topical Solution

Zetaclear™ is two-step treatment: Zetaclear homeopathic spray is taken orally by dropping it under the tongue and nail fungus solution should be applied directly on the nails with the brush.  This treatment should be repeated 2-3 times a day.

Zetaclear™ Effects

According to consumer surveys, Zetaclear™ two-step treatment that combines solution and homeopathic oral spray helped the most of the users to get rid of the toenail fungus. Consumers’ testimonies say that people who used Zetacler™ for nail fungus began noticing results after 8 to 10 weeks. 80% of people began seeing improvement in their nails after 6 to 12 weeks of use of the product.

Side Effects of Zetaclear™ Treatment for Toenail Fungus

Zetaclear™ homeopathic treatment has shown to have no side effects since it contains natural ingredients. However the solution shouldn’t be applied on open wounds and spray should be avoided by pregnant and breastfeeding women if not prescribed by qualified physicians.

Nail-Rx™

Nail-Rx™ 12ml Homeopathic Treatment for Nail Fungus

Nail-Rx™ is natural remedy for nail fungus made by 100% pure essential oil extracts such as Lavender Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Lemon Grass Oil and Clove Oil derived from plants. These ingredients are well-known for their anti-fungal properties. Moreover, hese natural compounds not only kill fungi but also reduce inflammation and promote healthy and successful regeneration of cells.

Nail-Rx™ Ingredients

Nail-Rx™ treatment for nail fungus is a 100% organic herbal formula. Similar to Zetaclear™, it consists of Tea Tree oil, Lemon Grass oil, Clove oil and Lavender oil.

Lavender Oil – this essential oil is very beneficial to skin and nails and it is widely used in cosmetics, aromatherapy and in alternative medicine. It is obtained by distillation from the flowers of certain species of lavender.

How to Use Nail-Rx™?

This natural treatment is for external use only. Apply Nail-Rx directly to the nail, the best using a clean cotton swab. Repeat this 2-3 times a day and the results should be visible within 3 weeks of treatment.

Nail-Rx ™ Benefits

According to testimonies of people who used Nail-Rx™, it is effective anti-fungal treatment which helped growth of healthy and strong nails after only 3 weeks of use. Keep in mind that previous discoloration of the nail will need to grow out.

People reported that they are especially satisfied with the fact that Nail-Rx™ is 1005% organic product. Another benefit of this product is that it is not taken orally which means that it does not interfere with other medication that you may take.

Nail-Rx™ Side Effects

There are no side effects of Nail-Rx™ nail fungus treatment reported.

FUNGINIX™

Funginix™ (0.8 oz, 24 ml) Topical Homeopathic Toenail Fungus Treatment

FUNGINIX™ is a topical nail fungus treatment made with natural elements that are proven to successfully cure toenail fungus. It is one of the best combinations of anti-fungal components and herbal medications. FUNGINIX is developed by Sisquoc Healthcare Corporation, in one of the best laboratories in the USA. It was at first marketed under the brand name Fungisil and the name was changed to Funginix in May of 2010.

FUNGINIX Nail Fungus Treatment Ingredients

FUNGINIX™ contains ingredients safe for consumer’s health like Undecylenic Acid, Camphor, Menthol, Tea Tree Oil and Rose Hip Flower Oil.

Camphor – it is derived from in the wood of the camphor laurel tree found in Asia and certain tree plants of the forests in Borneo. It also can be found in particular mint leaves – dried rosemary leaves was found to contain up to 20% camphor. Camphor has antimicrobial and anesthetic effects.

Menthol – this substance has analgesic properties and can help in relieving minor pains. I t is also known for its antipruritic or anti-itching properties.

Rose Hip Flower Oil – this oil effectively strengthen nails affected by the fungus due to vitamin C, retinol and essential fatty acids that it contains.

How to Apply FUNGINIX?

You should apply FUNGINIX on the clean and dry infected nails with a brush applicator twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.

FUNGINIX Benefits

FUNGINIX™ is the great combination of anti-fungal agents, essential oils and fungus-fighting extracts that successfully kills toenail fungus. According to testimonials and feedbacks of FUNGINIX consumers, the results are better the longer you use the treatment. Results have shown that 36% of Funginix users confirmed that in 2 weeks of use, they were noticing an improvement in their nails. Between the 6th and 12th week, 80% of the users said that their nails were clear and free of fungus. It is one of the most effective nail fungus treatments available today.

FUNGINIX Side Effects

Since the FUNGINIX is made from natural ingredients, there are no side effects associated with it.

Purnail™

Purnail™ (0.8 fl oz/24 ml) Homeopathic Toenail Fungus Cleanse

Purnail is Over-The-Counter topical antifungal remedy developed by Vanguard Healthcare Product, Inc. It is a formula that combines powerful anti-fungal agents together with organic oils that help bring back the healthy look of the nail and skin around it.

PurNail™ Ingredients

Purnail toenail fungus remedy includes a number of ingredients that have extensive use across the world in treating diverse medical conditions. Purnail™ components include: undecylenic acid, Tea Tree oil, Sunflower seed oil and phenoxyethanol.

Sunflower Seed Oil – this oil is rich in vitamins A, D and E and lecithin and is highly beneficial to nails since it protects nails from damage.

Phenoxyethanol – this is a natural preservative originated in many vaccines produced by the Center for Disease Control.

How to Use PurNail™?

Apply the solution to the clean and dry nail and leave it uncovered for 20 minutes to allow the remedy to dries and to be fully absorbed into the infected nail. Treatment should be repeated twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.

PurNail™ Effectiveness

PurNail™ has been recommended by numerous users – consumer feedback for PurNail™ evidently shows this treatment has been very successful in treating toenail fungus. Consumers report that they noticed reduced skin redness and irritation straight away after begging of the treatment and it took on average about 3 month for nail fungus to be cleared up. PurNail™ toenail fungus treatment should be applied at least 3 to 4 months.

PurNail™ Side Effects

Because this homeopathic medication is made from natural ingredients, it is safe for adults to use. However, some people experienced slightly irritation which may indicate an allergy to one or more of the components. The product should be kept away from children.

Claripro™ Nail Fungus Treatment

Claripro™ dual-action Homeopathic Nail Fungus Treatment

Claripro™ Complete is a two-step formula for toenail fungus. Almost identical to Zetaclear™, Claripro™ nail fungus treatment combines homeopathic oral spray and a topical solution that helps reduce nail fungus. The combination of natural oils helps destroy the infection and also protects the nails from future outbreaks. Claripro Homeopathic Spray is also a blend of natural ingredients which helps reduce toenail fungus in one, easy-to-use spray application.

How to Apply Claripro Relief?

The homeopathic oral spray should be dropped under the tongue two times a day and the nail fungus solution should be applied on the nail. Claripro package consists of 1 Bottle of Nail Fungus Solution – Oral Homeopathic Spray 1.0 FL OZ. (30 ml) – Alcohol 20% and 1 Bottle of Clear Nail Solution – 0.5 FL OZ. (15 ml).

Claripro Effectiveness

Users reported that they have started to notice an improvement in just a couple of weeks.

Claripro Side Effects

Up till now Claripro™ has had no negative side-effects reported against it.

All these products Zetaclear™, Nail-Rx™, FUNGINIX™, PurNail™ and Claripro™ descriptions, material and information of the article are taken from the makers or manufacturer of the products and are reviewed and modified by our editors. You should not use the information hosted within nail-fungus.net for the medical counseling, diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. If you have suspect that you have medical problem and all medical questions about these products, please consult your physician or family doctor for professional advice.

Zetaclear Homeopathic Nail Fungus Treatment

Zetaclear™ Clear Nail Fungus Solution .5 Oz Brush On Application

Zetaclear™ is remedy for nail fungus that has two formulations: a topical solution and a spray.Solution is used by applying it on the affected nails with the brush and the spray is taken orally. What makes it especially popular is that different from other nail fungus healing methods, Zetaclear nail fungus treatment does not just eliminate the symptoms, but it also kills the nail fungus infection from the root since it is used in combination of homeopathic oral spray and clear nail fungus solution.

Zetaclear Nail Fungus Remedy Ingredients

Zetaclear contains natural ingredients like Tea Tree oil, Clove oil, Almond, Jojoba and Lemongrass oil and Undecylenic acid.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree oil or melaleuca oil is taken from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia, originally grown in Australia.  This oil is found to be very powerful anti-fungal and it is one of the most important Zetaclear’s ingredients.

Clove Oil

Clove oil has natural antiseptic and analgesic properties and it is widely used in dentistry because of its main ingredient eugenol. It is also used in medicine as a remedy in treating the common cold, bronchitis, fever, cough and infections, including fungal infection. It is derived as an essential oil from the clove plant. The major clove oil producers are Indonesia and Madagascar.

Almond Oil

This oil is extracted from almond nuts and its use has very long and extensive history. It has been used for centuries as a remedy, in cosmetics and for cooking purposes. It is very beneficial for skin since it contains vitamin E as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Because it is mild and non-irritating, it can be applied directly to the skin.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil also has anti-fungal effects; the liquid wax is produced in the seed of the jojoba plant (Simmondsia chinensis) which grows mostly in California i Mexico.

Vitamin E Oil

Zetaclear™ Nail Fungus Treatment – Oral Homeopathic Spray 1.0 FL OZ (30ml)

Vitamin E oil is quickly absorbed when applied topically. It acts as powerful antioxidant and therefore has the significant impact on cell functions.

Lemongrass Oil

Lemongrass oil is native to India and is broadly used in Asian cuisine. It is also a powerful fungicide.

Undecylenic Acid

Undecylenic acid is an organic acid derived from castor oil. It is widely used in cosmetics and it has strong anti-microbial properties.

Active ingredients in spray application of Zetaclear nail fungus homeopathic treatment include: Arsenicum Album (treats the discoloration of the nail), Antimonium Curdum (relieves the pain beneath the nail), Nitricum Acidum (relieves rough skin and the white spots on the nail), Sulphur (has antiseptic properties), Manincella, Thuja Occidentalis and Inactive Ingredients (Alcohol 20% v/v, Purified water).

How Does Zetaclear Nail Fungus Treatment Work?

As it was said, Zetaclear™ kills the fungi infection in the root by increasing the body’s natural infection-fighting and anti-inflammatory capabilities that allow it to fight the nail fungus successfully and also helps nails look healthy again very fast due to its two-step formulation – this product combines a topical nail fungus solution with a homeopathic remedy in the form of an oral spray which helps to clear the nail fungus effectively. The Zetaclear ingredients work under the surface of the skin eliminating the fungi and help growth of the new, healthy nails due to the natural oils contained in it. It also polishes and clears up the yellow-colored nails and softens the skin around the nail. In addition, Zetaclear nail fungus homeopathic treatment removes the odor associated with this infection and prevents recurrence of the nail fungus.

Zetaclear™ Nail Fungus Treatment – Oral Homeopathic Spray and Topical Solution

Zetaclear™ homeopathic treatment for nail fungus works inside and outside: the spray stimulates the body’s natural immune response to cure nail fungus from inside and at the same time the clear nail fungus solution attacks infection from outside.

Does it Really Work?

According to numerous reports, Zetaclear two-step treatment that combines nail fungus solution and homeopathic oral spray helped majority of people who used it to get rid of the nail fungus. As said by many satisfied consumers, people who used it as a treatment for nail fungus began seeing results within 8 to 10 weeks. Of course, if the infection is severe, it may take longer to clean up nail fungus.

How to Use It?

Zetaclear™ treatment is combination of two products: an oral spray plus clear nail fungus solution that is used by applying it with the brush directly on infected nails. Therefore, Zetaclear treatment has two steps: You should take Zetaclear homeopathic spray orally by dropping it under the tongue (it attacks the fungus infection inside). For outside treatment, apply Zetaclear nail fungus homeopathic remedy on the infected nails with the brush and massage it gently in the nails and the skin.  Repeat this two-step process 2-3 times a day. Avoid using the nail polish together with solution treatment since it may prevent the preparation from penetrating the nail bed.

Each package of the product contains 1 spray bottle + 1 bottle of nail fungus solution. Zetaclear™ is an Over-The-Counter (OTC) medication which means that you don’t need a doctor’s prescription to buy it.

Zetaclear Nail Fungus Relief Side Effects

Due to its natural ingredients, Zetaclear has shown to have no side effects when used properly. Of course, any product can be harmful is abused. It is therefore important not to apply this product on open wounds and not to overuse it.  As with any other medication, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using this product if not prescribed by doctor.

All Zetaclear™ products descriptions and information are taken from the makers or manufacturer of the products and are reviewed and modified by our editors. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. For all medical questions about these products, please consult your physician or family doctor for professional advice.

Nail fungus or Onychomycosis is a fungal nail infection that more often affects toenails than fingernails. This infection comes when a fungus infects one or more of toenails. It usually develops on nails that are often exposed to moist and warm environments, like sweaty shoes, shower floors or swimming pool area. It usually begins as a yellow or white spot beneath the surface of a toenail which, if left untreated reaches deeper in the nail and spreads to other nails. Besides aesthetics, toenail fungus causes unpleasant smell joined with pain in the nail area. Toenail fungus infection may be very difficult to cure; it may be very persistent and sometimes it takes months to get rid of it, but different treatments which help to clear up nail fungus are available today. One of the new techniques in the treatment of toenail fungus is a laser treatment, the cutting edge on toe nail care.

How Does the Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus Work?

Laser treatment for Onychomycosis or toenail fungus works by applying a focused beam of light (laser) directly onto infected toenail. The laser targets fungal infection by penetrating the toenail, the area below the toenail and the nail bed. Laser toenail fungus treatment destroys the fungal infection by affecting cells that are responsible for the infection. Treatments usually take 30 to 45 minutes up to 10 toenails. Depending on the severity of the infection, you may need one to four sessions.

Where the Laser Treatment Can be Carried Out?

In the U.S.A. companies that have received Food and Drug Administration clearance (FDA) for the Onychomycosis treatment laser are: Alma Lasers, Inc., PinPointe USA Inc. of Chico, California, CoolTouch Inc., of Rosevile, California and Nomir Medical Technologies Inc., of Brooklyn, NY.

Alma Lasers, one of the leaders in laser, radiofrequency, light and ultrasound medical and aesthetic devices, had received the FDA approval for their innovative Harmony ®XL laser protocol application for the laser treatment of nail fungus.

PinPointe USA, Inc. is the leading and also was the first company in laser treatment devices. It is specialized for laser light-based therapies for treating nail fungus. NuvoLase Inc., has attained from PinPointe USA all rights, resources and intellectual properties associated with the PinPointe™ FootLaser™. The PinPointe FootLaser is a “cold laser” and was the first light-based device to receive FDA clearance to the laser treatment for toenail fungus.

CoolTouch Inc. received FDA approval for their VARIABreeze™ 1064nm laser system for treating toenail fungus in November 2011. The CoolBreeze laser procedure takes only twenty minutes.

Noveon Laser from Nomir Medical manufacturers, approved by the FDA for treating podiatry and dermatology conditions uses dual laser frequencies selected to eliminate or reduce the pain that usually go along with other laser therapies.

Q-Clear™ Laser manufactured by Light Age Inc, the latest, and certainly the best laser thus far introduced for nail fungus. The biggest difference between the Q-Clear™ and any other device is the use of Q-Switched 1064 Nd:Yag technology. This extremely rapid pulsing application targets the nail fungus specifically without the patient incurring any sensation of heat. Non Q-switched 1064 Yag lasers, have longer pulse durations which create the effect of heating the water content in the nail bed. This is far less effective at destroying the nail fungus and almost always results in the need for multiple return treatments. The Q-Clear™ used in practice since the beginning of 2012 and the results have been nothing short of extraordinary, a great success rate of 97% achieved in clinical studies (on 100 patients), this results was achieved in ONE TREATMENT only. The Q-Clear™ is actually the FIRST ever Q-Switched Nd:Yag 1064 laser specifically FDA-approved for onychomycosis (nail fungus).

Today many medical centers in all U.S.?. major cities like Los Angeles, LA, Miami, FL or Philadelphia, PA have the necessary high-tech laser equipment and can support toenail fungus laser treatment.

In Canada, Feet Docs was the first Canadian clinic to get a laser unit for treating nail fungus. The protocol has been approved by the FDA.

In Toronto, Cure Nail Centre provides first Health Canada- approved laser treatment for toenail fungus with PinPointe™ FootLaser™.

Types of Laser Treatments for Toenail Fungus

Some wavelengths of light used in laser treatment of toenail fungus include:

• 660nm (nanometer) red visible light;
• 940nm near infrared light and
• 1064nm Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) laser

The last one, NdYAG lasers are optically pumped lasers that use laser diodes of flash lamps to generate laser energy in the 1064nm spectrum. This is the infrared light produced by passing photons through a crystal of yttrium aluminum garnet doped with triply ionized neodymium which replaces the yttrium in the garnet. Photo source: 866866feet.com

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of toenail fungus treatment with laser technology can range from $700 to $1,500 for a treatment course. It isn’t covered by the health insurance since it is considered an aesthetic procedure. However, the cost of toenail fungus laser treatment generally will range based on the severity of the infection and only your physician or a podiatrist can determine if you need the laser toenail fungus treatment and the number of the treatments necessary.

Effects of Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment

If you are planning to undergo laser toenail fungus treatment, keep in mind that it isn’t a cure. Since the fungus is living in the pores and cracks of the toenails, a lifestyle change is needed in order to prevent the infection to reappear. Therefore, laser toenail fungus treatment is only a part of the treatment in case of toenail fungal infection. Therapy also may include oral medication, or use of home remedies for toenail fungus such as Vicks Vapor Rub®,  Listerine® or homeopathic toenail fungus treatment containing natural herbs and always should include a lifestyle change.

Is the Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment Painful?

Undergoing laser toenail fungus treatment should not cause you experience any discomfort or pain during or after the treatment.

Restrictions of Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment

Laser treatment for toenail fungus doesn’t have lasting effects. John Strisower, the founder of PinPointe USA, says patients should expect at least a minimal relapse of the infection within five years after laser treatment.

How the laser treatment for toenail fungus works and how it affects fungi infection isn’t fully understood. There are numerous studies that have been conducted; Nomir says its laboratory research has shown that the laser kills fungus. On the other side, according to CoolTouch, laser only inhibits fungal growth, making the way to the body’s own defense mechanisms to kill the infection and clear the nail.

To Sum Up

Laser treatment is a new safe, quick and pain-free method in treating toenail fungus infection. In numerous studies, it has shown no side effects. Therefore it should be considered as an alternative to oral medications in toenail fungus treatment because of the side effects of oral medication – it carries potential risk of liver and kidney damage. Furthermore, laser treatment isn’t painful at all and can help to get rid of this embarrassing infection in relatively short period of time. For the lasting results, toenail fungus therapy should always include the change of a lifestyle, which includes wearing 100% cotton socks, correct shoe size and regular hygiene of your feet and nails.

What you want to do is lower the risk or potential risk of the fungus moving to new nails on your hands and feet.  This isn’t to say that you are definitely going to have the fungus problem on every nail but it’s important to be aware of the risks and take precautions.

A safety precaution to avoid the spread of toenail fungus to your other foot nails is to sterilize and sanitize the nail clippers or scissors used for nail care, to cut the infected toenail. A good solution is to soak them in alcohol or in a water solution with bleach at a ratio of 1 part bleach in 10 parts boiling water for 10 minutes.

The first thing you should do is get yourself a box of latex gloves.  Most drug stores and many supermarkets carry these disposable gloves in 100 count boxes.  Whenever you handle the infected area like administering treatment, applying medications etc, wear gloves.  This will lower the risk the infection getting a hold of another nail.

Next, after bathing etc, where you have washed your feet, you may want to then wash your hands with one of the newer disinfectant soaps.  While it’s not common for the fungus to transmit after a bath and no studies or research has been done to verify this transmission method, a simply hand washing is good insurance none the less.

There are many home remedies and medical cures or treatments for Onychomycosis that claim to work.  Some are based on age old remedies while others such as Listerine® for toenail fungus are tried more out of exasperation.

The problem is that all Onychomycosis is recognized by everyone including the medical profession as being chronic in nature.  This means that it’s difficult to cure and the likelihood of it returning is great.  So even with the best home cure or most expensive prescription medications on the market, you may be living with this problem for years to come.

There is a lot of information and statements of a toenail fungus and vinegar.  The idea is that using vinegar changes the environment of your nails so that it’s less likely to become a host for the fungus.   The thought is very similar to the fact that certain plants prefer acidic soil while others do not.  Change the acidity in the soil and certain plants cannot live.  Change the acidity of your feet or body and the fungus cannot live.

So to limit toenail fungus spread, you may want to consider putting a natural, not processed  vinegar on your healthy nails.  Simply get a bottle of unprocessed vinegar from the health food store and fill a small spray bottle with the liquid.

After a bath or during your nail treatment routine, spray your nails with the vinegar and let dry.  You can even spray the infected toenails because the vinegar will not change the cream, oils or ointments you may be using to clear up the problem.

Lastly, stopping toe nail fungus from spreading means that you should limit contact of the infected nail with healthy ones.  You can do this by keeping a flexible bandage or band-aid® on the infected nail.  By covering it, the amount of exposure to the healthy nails is reduced.  For extra protection, place a small dab of disinfectant ointment or spray with the vinegar.

In the end, clearing up toe nail fungus requires consistent efforts and treatment on your part.  Toe Nails are not alive which means that even though you have the fungus under control, you need to grow a new healthy nail while protecting it from the fungal infection of the old nail material.

An effective natural remedy for nail fungus treatment uses a two step process to attack the fungus by changing the living environment on your nails then protecting new nail growth with antiseptic, deep penetrating oils.

No matter what you do, it’s important to limit the spread of Onychomycosis to just the infected area as much as possible.

A natural home remedy that uses the sum knowledge of treatment passed down by previous generations is safe, effective and much less expensive than prescription drugs to treat nail fungus.

Black toenail fungus, also known as Onychomycosis, is a type of fungus that usually infects toenails, though can affect fingernails alike. Black toenail fungus is highly infectious and it commonly affects people who walk around public areas or use public showers and pool areas without wearing shoes. Other common reason of fungal infection is injury to the toenail which makes it prone to this infection.

Black toenail occurs due to the trauma or the injury of the toenail bed. Black fungus can occur on a fingernail as well. Injury of the toenail bed can cause a blood vessel to break and bleed and since the blood has nowhere to go, a blood collects beneath the nail plate, sometimes under a large area. After the blood begins to dry, it turns from red to purple blue and black which results in a black toenail. The black fungus infects nails and the cuticle and also destroys the keratin of the nail which produces a black color.

Black toenail fungus is common among the athletes and generally among people who stand, walk or run a lot. Athletes can easily hurt their toes while playing sports, especially if they wear tight fitting shoes. If it repeats often, this stress to the toe causes a blood blister to form beneath the toenail. This condition mostly occurs among runners and soccer players because their toes are constantly rubbing up against the front part of the shoes or because they are subject to the harshest impacts.

The other violent toenail impacts that can be a reason of black nails include getting a toe smashed by a heavy object or jamming a foot or hand finger in a door. Prolonged exposure of feet to wet environment also increases chances of getting the nail fungus.

Black or blue toenails are also common among people above 65 years of age, as well as among those who wear tight fitting shoes or shoes of a wrong size which makes toenails weak and amongst people who cut their toenails too close to the skin, which can cause multiple small cuts in the skin that allow fungus to enter and spread.

Black Toenail Fungus Symptoms

After a toenail injury, the nail firstly appears purple blue and then blackened. The big toenail is most often affected. Due to the injury, a blood vessel breaks and the blood blister beneath the nail which cause the skin to become blue, deep purple and black in color. After that the nail will usually fall off when a new nail in the end grows in, which generally takes four to five months.

Besides the fact that black toenail fungus aesthetically does not look nice, it can be very painful and can affect quality of our normal daily life.

Black Toenail Fungus Treatment

If pain is severe, you should see your doctor to determine whether or not you need a treatment. The doctor may prescribe a medication or even decide to remove the black toenail or to make a hole in the nail to allow drainage which will relieve the pressure.

If the pain is manageable, the best is to leave it to fall off when the new one begins to grow. However, there are numerous home remedies that are effective in combating nail fungus by reducing its spread available today like Vicks Vapor Rub, Listerine®, Tea Tree Oil, Hydrogen Peroxide (3%), Vinegar and many others.

Vicks Vapor Rub and Listerine®

A large number of people have had positive experience with Vicks® VapoRub® and Listerine® in treating nail fungus in spite the fact that they are not created as nail fungus medication. However, the effectiveness of using Vicks Vapor Rub as a remedy for toenail fungus is not very clear. While some people have found that using it on the affected toenail has helped, some have experienced no benefit. Vicks is able to stop the growth of the fungus, but not to eliminate it. Listerine® contains some herbal ingredients like thymol, menthol, eucalyptol and methyl salicylate that may have anti-fungal effect.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is known for its natural and powerful fungicide and antiseptic effects.

Vinegar

Mixed with a basin, vinegar may also have antifungal effect, especially apple cider vinegar has proven to be effective.

Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)

Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) which can be found in any pharmacy can help as a remedy for black toenail fungus; max it with water in proportion 50:50 and soak your feet for 20 minutes, twice a day. Dry feet well after the treatment.

Prevention

The best way to deal with black toenail fungus is to try to prevent it from the beginning.  To prevent this infection, follow these useful tips:

• Keep your toenails properly short and don’t ever use the same nail trimmer on healthy and infected nails, always use sterilized nail clipper to cure toenails.
• Wear 100% cotton socks to avoid sweating of your feet.
• Wear correct shoe size, especially when wearing running shoes.
• Wash your feet regularly with soap and warm water.
• Always dry your feet thoroughly after washing them.

Toenail fungus is an infection, very embarrassing an often a very painful one. The other name for toenail fungus is onychomycosis. There are two main fungi that affect the skin: Dermatophytes and Candida. Although both types can affect the nails, Dermatophytes are more frequently related to the toenails. Toenail fungus infection is characterized by a yellowish discoloration of the nail plate along with crumbling and thickening of the nail. If left untreated, fungus infection can become very dangerous as well. Toenails develop fungus infections more often than fingernails due to the fact that shoes and socks provide a favorable condition for fungus to grow and survive. Infection comes when a fungus infects one or more of toenails which usually occurs when there has been an injury to the nail, such a split or a crack. It can begin as a white or yellow spot beneath the tip of a toenail. If left uncured, it can spread deeper in the nail and extend to other nails as well. It may cause the nails to thicken, discolor and develop crumbling edges, but toenail fungus is not just an aesthetic issue. An unpleasant smell joined with pain in the nail area are usually very clear nail fungus symptoms. It may be very difficult to treat nail fungus – sometimes it can take months before toenail fungus infection is totally cured and it often may recur. But different medications are available to help clear up nail fungus.

What Causes the Toenail Fungus?

This infection comes when a fungus infects one or more of toenails and it typically develops on nails that are frequently exposed to warm and moist environments, such as shower floors, pool area or sweaty shoes. Nail fungus should be differentiated from the athlete’s foot infection, which primarily affects the skin of the feet. However, these two infections may coexist and can be caused by the same type of fungus.

Treating Toenail Fungus with Vicks Vapor Rub and Listerine®

One way of treating toenail fungus is Vicks® VapoRub®. Vicks Vapor Rub has become a very popular home remedy for this infection in recent years despite the fact that it was not formulated as a nail fungus medication. There is a great number of people that claim Vicks Vapor Rub or Listerine® have cured their nail fungus, but there are lots of others who tried it without success. The problem with this infection is that it’s considered a chronic problem and curing is not simple end fast. Most of the products for treating nail fungus, including the prescribed medication all have varying degrees of success depending on the type of fungal infection.

Listerine® was invented as a surgical antiseptic and disinfectant and has been used as a treatment for gonorrhea. In the 1970s it became widely known as a mouthwash. Listerine® contains some herbal ingredients like menthol, thymol, eucalyptol and methyl salicylate that may have anti-fungal effect. Treating nail fungus with Listerine® is completely safe, although it hasn’t been tested as a toenail fungus cure in an official research environment which would proof its therapeutic effect. The only side effect of using Listerine® is aesthetic – due to the green color of this mouthwash, the feet can temporarily turn green, but the color disappears quickly.

What Does Research Say?

Michigan State University clinicians found that using the of the other medication  that has exactly the same ingredients as Vicks Vapor Rub on daily basis on the infected nails cleared the condition in 32 out of 85 patients, and that it has the best results if it’s used for approximately 5 to 16 months. While the study had well-known imperfections, it still indicates that Vapor Rub’s effectiveness may at any rate challenge some more expensive nail fungus medications. Oral antifungal drugs maybe are more efficient, but they can get serious unwanted side effects such as kidney and liver damage.

Vicks Vapor Rub Ingredients

The active components of this home remedy that have the anti-fungal effect are thymol, eucalyptus oil and perhaps camphor in smaller part. It is believed that he petrolatum and turpentine oil in Vicks Vapor Rub have the ability to transmit the anti-fungal ingredients to the nail bed.

Home Remedy with Vicks Vapor Rub – How to Apply It?

For the best results, Vicks Vapor Rub must cover the whole nails and it shouldn’t be rubbed off. Some of the product is usually rubbed off when wearing socks and shoes. Also, the concentration of anti-fungal ingredients may not be enough to kill all of the fungus. If only some or most of the fungus is killed, then it just a matter of time that the fungus will continue to grow and spread throughout the nails of the other toes.

Place a small amount of Vicks Vapor Rub on the top on your finger and massage it on the suffering nail. You should apply it twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. It is important to be persistent because your toenail fungus wouldn’t disappear overnight. After a few days the nail should start to dark in color, which is a sign that Vicks Vapor Rub is killing the fungus. As the new toenail grows out you will cut the infected one. The most important is to protect the newly grown healthy toenail from becoming infected with the fungus.

Is It Hazardous?

Use of Camhor, Thymol, Menthol, Petrolatum and Eucalyptus oil, which are ingredients of Vicks Vapor Rub can, in some cases, weaken nails and harm your nail beds, so it is important to use it properly.

This and similar remedies cannot be recommended by doctors and other medical professionals and researchers simply because they haven’t gone through the rigorous research required to confirm their claims of effectiveness and safety. Although Vicks Vapor Rub does have some of the essential components of a successful remedy, take into account that it was not created as a nail fungus treatment.

Toenail fungus

This is a free and easy way for bacteria and other microbes to travel and infect the area all over again – a much dangerous circumstance.

Fortunately, there are a few toenail fungus treatments in the market. There are two main methods as toe fungus treatment: medicinal and homeopathy and a third approach of treatment, the naturopathic.

One way in how to get rid of toenail fungus is to treat it medicinally. You have the option of oral medication or topical medication. This is the conventional way to treat your infection.

Oral Fungus Treatment

Oral fungus treatment is the choice if you have moderate to severe nail fungus. An example of the pill form is Lamisil®. The only con in taking it orally is the adverse effects and monitoring for signs of serious side effects for those who can become allergic to the drug.

Topical Fungus Treatment

Another method is applying the medicine topically. This method is typically for mild conditions of toenail fungus. Lamisil® is also available as topical treatment and is applied on the infected area and the skin around it. However, it is not quite advantageous as oral medication because it focuses only on the exterior region.

Homeopathy

Although the medicinal method may be effective, some people fear having to go to the doctor for many reasons and they use over the counter (OTC) nail fungus treatments. The high cost of drugs is enough reason to steer away from. The other method secondary to medicine is homeopathy. It is a therapy started by a German doctor named Samuel Hahnemann some 200 years ago. The idea of homeopathy is similar to the same motto as conventional medicines and is deemed quite popular in contemporary times. The objective is to treat with the use of natural substances without the involvement of pharmaceutical agents. An example of homeopathic treatment for toenail fungus is the application of tea tree oil on the nail itself. This treatment has been effective for many after having tried it in the first trial. Zetaclear™ is one of the more popular homeopathic treatments because it is a combination of two routes in one: internal and external, which produces greater curative results. Also Nail-Rx™, Funginix™ (some use to call it Fungisil), Purnail™ and Claripro™ are popular and reputable homeopathic medication solutions for toe nail fungus treatment, using great formulas blend of herbal natural oils and minerals against the fungi.

Naturopathic Toenail Fungus Treatment

While there are products on the market that promise results in days or weeks, you need to keep in mind that your toenails and finger nails are dead. Although you want to deal with toenail fungus using a naturopathic approach, no product including what is offered by the medical community can restore your dead, fungus infected toenails. This means that it will be weeks and probably months for the old and ugly fungus toenail to grow out to be cut away.

To get rid of the ugly toenail then, you must grow out new, healthy nail. To do this, it’s important to keep the fungus from infecting new toe nail as it’s growing. This is done using naturopathy products like vinegar to change the nail environment to be less attractive to fungus. The next thing to do is to then treat the toenail with natural, essential oils that will penetrate to the nail bed and provide natural antibiotic properties.

Prescription drugs for toenail fungus cost hundreds of dollars and usually require ongoing blood tests to monitor for liver damage.

And there’s no guarantee that they will completely cure your nail fungus.

The term naturopathy is a therapy and treatment method that uses natural remedies or folk medicine. While many in the medical community scoff at these methods, they will also admit that many of the modern medicines were created from information obtained through natural medicine and plants.

The disagreement is based on the problem of effectiveness. While modern medicine relies on research testing, naturopathic medicinal remedies are based on decades and sometimes centuries of fold medicine understanding.

So the way of the naturopathy to treat toenail fungus would include changing your diet to change the chemical balance of your system thereby making your body less habitable for fungus growth.

A topical solution like soaking in a 50-50 mixture of natural apple cider vinegar and water for 10-30 minutes 3 times a day would also fit into the naturopathic treatment process.

It’s at this point where many naturopathy type remedies can become a burden. If you understand that toenail fungus flourishes as new toenail is grown, you know that any treatment plan will need months until the fungus infected nail is completely gone. This means that a naturopathic method of cleaning up your toenail fungus means 1-1.5 hours a day, everyday, for 2-3 months or more. Home toenail fungus cures that rely on hours of treatment time for months is very difficult to manage for most of us.

The ideal is both alternative medicine and traditional medicine can work together as combination of balancing and complementing one another for total treatment of toenail fungus.

Onychomycosis

Distal Subungual Onychomycosis:

By far the most common form of fungal infection. As with both types, this is caused by dermatophytes, a grouping of fungal species which feed, in cases of onychomycosis, on the keratin protein in the nail. Distal subungual onychomycosis primarily affects the nail bed, and, aside from being the most common, is associated with some of the more severe nail fungus symptoms.

These symptoms can include yellow or greenish streaks beginning in the nail bed and spreading towards the tip; a general thickening of the nail; a brittle nail which can be become broken and jagged; severe discoloration; the buildup of nail and skin fragments under the nail plate; and, in some cases, the detachment of the infected toenail (or fingernail) completely.

White Superficial Onychomycosis:

While less common than the distal subungual variety, this type still affects a large percentage of those suffering from a toenail infection. As its name suggests, white superficial onychomycosis refers to a fungal infection in, or on, the surface of the nail. While also caused by dermatophytes, the symptoms, due to the less penetrative nature of this type of infection, tend to be less severe.

For one, the discoloration is less pronounced, with white spots or streaks instead of the yellow common in the other type. But even so, if left untreated the nail can begin to degenerate in much the same way. The surface can become soft, powdery, and crumbly to the touch. Fortunately, though, white superficial onychomycosis, however progressed, does not usually result in the nail detaching from either the skin beneath or the nail bed itself.

Symptoms

Healthy nails are strong, often smooth, and without discoloration and odor. It is not difficult to assess whether you have toenail fungus. However, if you see the following symptoms, it is best to start treating it as soon as possible before it worsens.

In early stages of toenail fungus, you would find that the nail has lost its shine and if it starts changing from its normal color to a yellow color, with or without odor, you should suspect that there is a possibility that your toenails have been infected. Another symptom is the accumulation of debris under the toenails, also known as toe-jam. Another toenail fungus symptom begins with the thickening and crumbling of the nails.

Ignoring early symptoms leads to the later stages of toenail fungus – an undesirable route that no individual should ever cross. By this stage, discoloration turns green or black, which means the infection has gotten worse, traveling further towards the nail bed. The shape becomes distorted and as the infection spreads by destroying the cells, the nails appears thick and the edges become rigid and will flake. Less than often, you will experience pain during this stage, but the worse condition of this stage is when they loosen and eventually separate from the nail bed.

This infection not only alters your health, it also affects your self-esteem and self-confidence. This is why it is essential to know the symptoms of toenail fungus so you may undergo preventive measures. Fortunately, there are ample methods and alternatives in the treatment of toenail fungus and its symptoms.