Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail Fungus - Overview

Toenail fungus is an unsightly cosmetic condition that often requires prescription medication treatment for full resolution. People who need a toenail fungus medication can use Push Health to connect with a medical provider who can prescribe toenail fungus treatment, including generic toenail fungus creams, oral toenail fungus tablets and other toenail fungus medications, when appropriate to do so.

What Causes Toenail Fungus

What is toenail fungus and what causes it? Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a type of fungal infection that specifically affects the nails. This fungus usually affects the toenails but can also affect the fingernails. A toenail fungus infection is caused by a group of fungi known as dermatophytes (tinea unguium). Fingernails and toenails infected with fungus become brittle and can turn white, yellow or even black in color. The surrounding skin can also become infected, leading to pain and swelling. Sometimes, toenail fungus cultures are performed before initiating treatment for a toenail fungus infection.

How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus

It is natural to wonder how to get rid of toenail fungus. Some people have heard that home remedies such as apple cider vinegar, Vicks VapoRub, tea tree oil or bleach can cure toenail fungus. While some home remedies are relatively harmless when used as directed, there have been few to no good studies demonstrating that any such home remedy is actually effective in curing toenail fungus symptoms. On the other hand, several prescription medications for toenail fungus exist which have demonstrated results as a cure for toenail fungus.

Toenail Fungus - Medication Options

Toenail fungus treatment typically involves prescription medications that come in both pill and topical solution forms. Toenail fungus medication pills are often used at the same time as toenail fungus solutions which are applied to the toenails and sometimes the skin around the toenail. The toenail fungus treatment duration using oral medications generally lasts up to six months while the treatment duration using a toenail fungus topical solution can last up to one year but the ultimate length of treatment depends on the judgement of the prescribing medical provider.

Toenail Fungus Pills

Several types of medications for the basis for toenail fungus pills used in trying to cure toenail fungus. Commonly prescribed pills for toenail fungus include terbinafine hydrochloride (Lamisil) and itraconazole (Sporanox). Both medications are antifungal medications which have demonstrated some effectiveness against toenail fungus and the decision to use one or the other is customized to the patient and is dependent on the experience of the ordering medical provider.

Toenail Fungus Creams & Ointments

Common prescription toenail fungus solution treatments include Jublia (efinaconazole), Kerydin (tavaborole) and Ciclodan / Penlac (ciclopirox). Kerydin is comprised of an antifungal medication known as tavaborole. A 5% topical solution, Kerydin (tavaborole) was approved by the FDA in 2014. Tavaborole causes fungal cell death by inhibiting a fungal enzyme involved with protein metabolism and utilizes a special boron technology which is supposed to improve nail penetration. Kerydin is indicated for the treatment of Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Toenail Fungus - Medication Effectiveness

Toenail fungus medications can help people treat a toenail or fingernail fungus infection but they do not work for everyone. And, if a toenail fungus medication is used inconsistently or is discontinued during toenail fungus treatment, the toenail fungus might be inadequately treated and recur.

Toenail Fungus Medications - Side Effects

Toenail fungus medications, like most medications, can cause side effects. Medications for onychomycosis can cause side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort, a rash, liver inflammation, and worsening of existing heart failure. Toenail fungus medications can also interfere with the metabolism of other medications in the body. While safe in many people, all toenail fungus medications can also cause severe allergic reactions.

Many side effects of toenail fungus prescription medications will go away once the toenail fungus medication is stopped. Anyone thinking about getting toenail fungus treatment should talk to a pharmacist and their medical provider before using a toenail fungus medication.

Toenail Fungus Medications - Online

Because many toenail fungus medications require a prescription, one cannot usually buy toenail fungus medications online to treat a toenail fungus infection. Instead, toenail fungus medications that require a prescription need to be dispensed by a licensed pharmacy online or at a local pharmacy. Push Health can help connect you with a licensed medical provider who can prescribe toenail fungus medications for you to help with toenail fungus treatment, including generic toenail fungus creams and toenail fungus tablets, when appropriate to do so.