What is the best over the counter toenail fungus treatment? Toenail fungus makes your nails look scary and unkempt. It makes you look sad and makes you want to get rid of the toenail infection at all costs and restore the beauty of your nails.
It’s very common which is why many people all over the world search for “What is the best over the counter toenail fungus treatment”.
Look no further if you’re looking for the best over the counter toenail fungus treatment. This post covers all you need to know and get back your beautiful toenails in the shortest possible time. Read on to learn more.
Toenail fungus or onychomycosis which your doctor may also call tinea unguium infections are caused by certain fungi, molds, or yeasts which grow on the nails or skin surrounding the toenail. Athlete’s foot can also be a cause of an infected toenail.
Both Athlete’s foot and onychomycosis are caused by a variety of fungi that infect the superficial skin and nails. These fungi belong to a special group of pathogens called dermatophytes.
Diagnosis: How to Know if You Have toenail fungus
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It’s important to first point out that there are many people diagnosed with a toenail fungal infection. According to this journal, about 3 million Americans are diagnosed with toenail fungal infections each year.
In fact, research has shown that men three times more likely to develop onychomycosis than women. The risk of getting a tinea unguium infection increases if you have diabetes or are a chronic smoker. In addition, it is worthy of note that those who have a low or compromised immune status can develop the infection.
The fungal toenail infection thrives and grows on moist or damp feet and it causes discoloration and thickening of feet. It may even lead to the splitting and peeling of your nails and causing discomfort and pain.
The infection can spread from the toe to fingernails, skin, or other parts of your body. Sometimes, the toenail can become cracked, warped, or loosing away from the nail bed. The nail can also look yellowish with a few white spots.
To make a diagnosis, your doctor will need to examine your feet and take some skin or nail scrapings as a sample for testing in the laboratory.
Where necessary, your doctor may refer you to a podiatrist or dermatologist for further treatment. Because onychomycosis sometimes may look similar to psoriasis, it’s very important that your doctor may order for some laboratory tests to be sure and prescribe the most effective treatment option.
How is Toenail Fungus Treated?
There are a number of treatment options available as far as tinea unguium infection. The treatment option depends on the type of fungus involved, the severity of infection, and the motive behind the treatment outcome to expect.
It is important to point out that topical treatment options such as creams have been shown to be quite effective against superficial onychomycosis.
Sometimes, removal of the infected toenail or even laser treatment may be the most appropriate form of treatment in more severe cases of toenail fungal infections.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications and home remedies can as well be used alone or in combination with other drugs prescribed by your doctor to cure the disease.
What is the best over the counter toenail fungus treatment?
There are a couple of over the counter OTC medications to prevent or eradicate the growth of Tinea ungiuim. This includes products that include antifungal agents like Clotrimazole found in Lotrimin AF, Lamisil which contains Terbinafine, Scholl Fungal nail treatment, Zeta Clear, and so on.
Early treatment with Zeta Clear has been shown to be an effective treatment option and prevent the dangerous complications associated with an untreated toenail infection.
Toenail Fungus Prescription Only Medications
Prescription Only Medications (POM) is only prescribed by your doctor to treat toenail fungal infection that doesn’t get treated with the regular over the counter medications. No prescriptions are needed if you’re buying OTCs such as Zeta Clear oil which is the most effective FDA-approved essential oil treatment for toenail fungal infection.
Oral Drugs
Oral drugs are an alternative to topical medications. They are best used to treat more severe forms of onychomycosis that don’t yield to topical treatment. Two popular examples include Lamisil (terbinafine) and Sporanox (itraconazole).
LAMISIL
Lamisil is usually seen as a topical OTC solution which contains terbinafine as the active ingredient. However, the oral form can also be prescribed by your doctor. Usually taken for six to twelve weeks for fingernail and toenail fungal infections respectively, Lamisil is seen as a drug of choice for deep-seated infections.
Sporanox
Sporanox (itraconazole) comes in a capsular form for the treatment of toenail fungus. It is to be taken with a meal. However, make sure you consult your doctor and pharmacist before taking the medication
Important Information:
Please do bear in mind that unlike topical antifungal agents, oral medications can have serious side effects from drug to drug interaction if you’re using them along with some of your regular medications.
So, makes sure you talk to your doctor before taking other drugs with oral antifungal agents.
Topical Medications for Toenail Fungus
Topical medications include medicated nail creams, lacquers, and so on. They are among some of the most commonly prescribed drugs for toenail fungal infections> here are some of them:
PENLAC
The most active agent in PENLAC is a drug called ciclopirox which is contained in an 8% solution. It comes in generic and as a branded product as well.
Method of Administration: It is often applied at bedtime as a topical agent. You simply apply to the surrounding skin and affected nail. All you need do is apply it at bedtime but don’t forget to remove it with rubbing alcohol.
It is also vital that your doctor or health professional removes the infected, unattached nail frequently when you are using this medication at least once a month.
JUBLIA
Jublia contains a 10% topical solution of the antifungal agent efinaconazole and is indicated for toenail fungal topical treatment.
Method of Administration: It is often applied at bedtime as a topical agent. You simply apply to the surrounding skin and affected nail daily for up to 48 weeks, using a brush applicator that comes with the medication.
What is the Most Effective Treatment for Toenail Fungus?
Having said all that, let me now proceed to answer your question”What is the best over the counter toenail fungus treatment?”. Or you want to know what is the most effective treatment for toenail fungus? Well, the answer is Zeta Clear Nail Fungus Treatment solution.
This post was written by Dr. Adeniyi Adesanya, a qualified & passionate medical doctor who loves to educate people about healthy living and lifestyle. Adeniyi is the owner and publisher of the Human Health Hub website.
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