As much as 8% of the American population suffers daily from the embarrassment of toenail fungus. Finding a treatment plan that works and keeps new fungus from returning is a long and complicated process. There are hundreds of products on the market that claim to clear fungi problems, but only a few of those actually work.
Toenail fungus can place a strain on a sufferer’s social life and prevent them from doing many of the things they would like to enjoy. Wearing flip flops or dress heels, an afternoon at the pool, getting a pedicure, and even intimate moments can all become a potential embarrassment when you have severe toenail fungus. The problem is that many people simply don’t know that it is in fact fungus, or how to clear it up.
Signs of toenail fungus include sore and painful nail beds, yellowing and cloudiness in color of the nail, distortion and deformation of the affected nail, and even raising up or loss of the nail. There are some other medical problems that can cause similar symptoms, but a culture by your doctor of the affected site can easily determine if you are in fact one of the millions suffering from toenail fungus.
Effective treatments can take a while to manifest desired results, possibly months. The biggest factor is not only clearing up the present fungus, but also killing it thoroughly enough that it doesn’t return once treatment has stopped, and promoting regrowth of a healthy nail. You have the option of prescription medications or over the counter topical applications and orals to choose from.
Prescription medications often come in an oral as well as topical dose. Many people have seen results through their doctor’s prescription, but there are some serious problems. A lot of the oral medications have the potential for serious side effects including problems with bone marrow, liver, and kidneys mainly stemming from the long term usage of these drugs. Undergoing blood tests while on these medications is not an uncommon practice as a method for monitoring chemical levels in the blood and to prevent damage to organs.
Topical treatments are certainly safer, although they are not always the most efficient. A topical treatment is essentially a liquid or gel product that is brushed onto the nail, and acts as an anti-fungal and attempts to promote healthy nail regrowth. A quick online search for a toenail fungus cure will turn up countless remedies and products. How are you supposed to know which ones work and which ones don’t?
A good rule of thumb to follow is looking for actual test results. Don’t necessarily believe that just because the box says it will work, that it actually will. A few products out there have taken the time and money to have their products tested for proof that they work. These are a safe bet because there are already proven results. Many products also offer a plethora of natural and homeopathic ingredients in their product line-up. Natural ingredients have the benefit of being safe to use, with little to no side effects. You can often get topical and oral products over the counter, although most people find the best success through the use of topical treatments alone.
Severe toenail fungus can prevent a challenge for even the best treatment plans, so just remember that even if it claims to clear up your fungus in two weeks the chances are much higher that it will take several months. Follow the instructions faithfully for at least 3-6 months.
