6 Things You Must Know To Stop Nail Fungus
Trying to eliminate nail fungus? There are a few very important tips you need to know to stop nail fungus before you choose your remedy or else you'll never get rid of it.
Trying to get rid of nail fungus can be almost impossible especially if you have had it for years. The main reason is that nail fungus lives deep under the nail and not on the nail's surface. In fact, fungus can NOT be killed. It merely grows off the nail as a healthy nails grows in. We've all seen the Lamasil TV commercials that cleverly illustrates how fungus lives under the nail making it discolored, uneven or even painful. This means that what ever treatment you use must be able to penetrate the nail in order to stop the nail fungus. Many topical brush-on solutions can't.
In order to get rid of the nail fungus you must combat it by following a number of steps before and during your chosen remedy/treatment that together may make a difference. What follows below are not the actual anti-fungus treatments, but things to do in conjunction with a prescribed or homemade treatment.
1. Proper nutrition is key to fighting fungus
Although not proven as far as fungus is concerned, it is believed that when the body has the proper nutrients and vitamins that it is better able to ward off against many ills.
Before starting off on any anti-fungal treatment it is important to eat properly and began taking a multi-vitamin at the very least. Start eating a healthy mix of fruits and vegetables, lay off all that sugar laden food and soda and watch what you eat.
Key vitamins include Vitamin C, Pantothenic acid (a.k.a. B5) along with Vitamin E.
2. Exercise and sun exposure appear to help in stopping fungus under nails
Many years ago I embarked on a three week bike ride of the U.S. and was surprised to see that the nail fungus on my thumb started to rapidly disappear. While I was using a topical solution called Fungus Stop each morning, I believe that the exercise and the daily sun exposure had a positive effect because up until this point it was taking forever to see improvements in the nail.
3. Daily hygiene
Thoroughly cleaning and drying the affected nail and area twice a day before applying any antifungal solution is a must. Use soap and water and consider a small soft bristled scrub brush to get under nails. The last is key and that is to thoroughly dry your hands and feet as water trapped under nails is a breeding ground for fungus.
4. Choose a nail fungus solution
Many products claim to stop nail fungus, but few actually deliver. In fact the description on many say it is not recommended for nail fungus and only finger and toe fungus on the skin surface.
There are remedies that work in getting rid of nail fungus, but it can take as long as a year for complete results to be obtained. By reading all the recommendations and suggestions from others suffering from fungus infection of the nails on this site you should find something that works for you. In some cases it could be using two or more anti-fungal remedies in tandem.
While it may seem that over the counter or prescription products work the best in getting rid of nail fungus, many have had great success with home made anti-fungus remedies from common household items so read the rest of this site for great tips. With the high price and nasty side effects of Lamasil tablets it certainly is wise to investigate them as it can save you some money and work just as well.
5. File Infected Nails Down
The effectiveness of your anti-fungal remedy is contingent on its being able to penetrate the nail bed to get at the fungus. To speed things along one should file down the surface of the entire nail so that the liquid or gel can soak through the infected nail quicker. The only thing to watch for is that the ends of the nails can split very easily because they are thinner so be careful putting your hands in your pockets where it is easy to rip a nail if it snags on fabric or objects.
Keep nails short. In addition, clip and trim fingernails and toenails so as to get rid of the fungus infected portions as they grow out to avoid re-infection. Keeping nails trim and short also prevents moisture, which breeds fungus, from being trapped under the nail.
6. Stick to your anti-fungal schedule
Nail fungus is extremely difficult to get rid of so it is very important to keep applying your chosen remedy at least twice daily. Even more important is to continue doing so even after your nails look healthy again and all the fungus appears gone. In fact you may have to do this for a year or more. Just when you think you've gotten rid of the nail fungus and then stop, you find that it has started all over again so keep at it no matter what.
Try not to contaminate and spread the fungus to other healthy nails. Use a different set of nail clippers, emery boards... for your healthy nails. Change socks and shoes daily and replace them often as fungus spores breeds within the fabric of socks and inside shoes. Wash socks in detergent and hot water and allow shoes to air dry for a few days before using them again. Use flip flops when walking in a locker room or public shower to avoid recontamination.
We want to hear from you
Have you been successful in ridding your nails of fungus and having them grow healthy again? Please tell us what you used and how long it took below.
YOUR COMMENTS
Will try these tips out. Have had nailfungus for years but nothing seems to work. Any other ideas???
TC53 | Jul 04, 06 | 5:47 am
Am I missing where the tips/remedies are? I'm not seeing any listed.
Jules | Oct 25, 06 | 10:24 am
I have nail fugus and I freakin hate it. I have it only 6 of my 10 nails. I have it under control and use Tree Tea Oil. I did stop using and it did come back, but now i use it twice daily and keeping on it, so i know for sure it doesn't come back. Tea Tree Oil is the only thing that works and i found the remedy online and i just put a dap on and it works, nails have lifted once since i started using it. I hope i get rid of it soon!
Kim | Jul 30, 07 | 7:48 am
I used to have foot fungus for years. Then one day I noticed it disappeared. This was around the same time as a wart on my finger disappeared. I never used anything for; I did plan to get systemic antifungal treatment though...
kris | Sep 08, 07 | 10:05 am
What is "systemic antifungal treatment?"
Mr.D | Sep 08, 07 | 12:27 pm
I used Fungus Stop and it worked wonderful, except I felt the need to clean out under the nail with a needle that I had used previously and low and behold I have it again. I am looking to buy another bottle of fungus stop. If you put in on (under the nail) 3 or 4 times a day it will go away. I can vouch for that. Just don't be dumb and do what I did with the same needle. Evidently it can continue to thrive on what you use, if you don't dissinfect it before and after use.
Linda Bradford | Apr 06, 08 | 7:50 pm
Have had toenail fungus for 15 years or so from not allowing shoes to dry out - now I wear a dried out pair each day and fresh cotton or wool socks each day. Have used terbinafin tablets, worked great!! I am told that it will never go away!! My sister has found that vitamin B5 works well, so I will try that together with an external oil say tea tree or other. I have heard that petrol may work externally!!!
J R Patel | Jun 01, 08 | 2:24 am
have had toenail fungus for about 8 to 9 years, and up until today i am researching ways to cure it i have tryed some liquid/cream for morning and night for about 3 or 4 months one time and i saw a lil difference but it was mostly just softening it up for me to cut it... and having it is a downfall in my life because you avoid going to the beach with friends and when i go out with family i try to hide it best i can, i hate the fact that i can't even where sandals or open toe shoes and i dread my up coming prom night in a year im hoping to find something now so i can use for a year and by prom i can wear some cute open toe shoes and even next summer be my 1st summer i am able to wear sandals. but at this point it only seems like a dream.
april | Jul 15, 08 | 3:14 pm
Vicks vaporub, plain old vick's salve. That works for Athletes foot and nail fungus. Use it every day. Put it on thick and heavy. Top of nails too. Wear thick cotton socks over it all.
RCP | Jul 26, 08 | 11:55 am
I had toe nail fungus for about 9 years and it was the worst thing ever. i was always hiding my feet and going to the beach or pool was the nightmare. i tried all the home products like apple cider vinager, tea tree oil, vicks vaporrub and nothing worked. so i decided to go to the doctor and have her prescribe me lamisil. i am on my 9th week and its completely gone. i havnt seen my nails look this good in almost a decade. im happy i went to the dermatologist and now i can finally wear open toe shoes without a problem
erg | Aug 02, 08 | 11:14 pm
Oil of oregano kills fungus!!! Just stop eating sugar during the treatment period (sugar multiplies the fungus). Apply Oil of Oregano (Not Oregano oil) on the infected nail twice every day. This is the best natural way to get healthy nails again!
(Originally posted: March 25, 2009 4:05:52 PM EDT) Ana | Jun 19, 10 | 10:07 am
(Originally posted: March 25, 2009 4:05:52 PM EDT) Ana | Jun 19, 10 | 10:07 am
I had had Athletes foot for about 12 yrs. I have tried everything. I actually used lamisal which worked great for about a year but then it came back. But I actually had some great success with a home remedy from a relative. She suggested filling up a bucket with 2 gallons warm water, 2 cups bleach, 3 cups kosher salt and 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of vanilla extract. Dip your feet in the solution for 45 minutes every evening for 3 weeks. You should see some nice results by then, but if not continue for another 3 weeks.
(Originally posted: May 21, 2009 2:58:42 PM EDT) Bob | Jun 19, 10 | 10:09 am
(Originally posted: May 21, 2009 2:58:42 PM EDT) Bob | Jun 19, 10 | 10:09 am
I have had nail fungus for at least 20yrs and it sucks. All though I have never used any prescription medication. I have decided to finally try to treat it and even thought it is not gone yet there are some things I have done to not only make me feel better but even make my feet look better than they did.
First and for most if you want your nails to get that health look again you have to kill the fungus on the surface first that means athletes foot. Now many of you may think ( oh I don't have athletes foot) but if you got nail fungus then it is very likely you got it from your self. The reason you got nail fungus is because at some point it was able to get under the nail.
Here are some things I did that worked for me.
Step 1 wash feet or hands with soap (tea tree oil soap) if possible. This is done every time you shower and if you don't shower then when you get home from a long day wash feet. ALWAYS! Even after your feet are better this is good hygiene. Change socks every time you remove your shoes but at least once. That means clean pair in the morning and again in the afternoon. Just take a zip lock bag with fresh pair to work with you every day (this is too easy)...
Step 2 is a home remedy that is good for feet and nails. In a large container that you can put both feet into mix 50/50 or 1 part peroxide and 1 part apple cider vinegar (the brown color one). Then soak for 20 to 30 min at least once a day. Fungus can not grow in an acidic inviroment hence the vinegar and fungus hates oxygen so that's what the peroxide is for. After the soak (before you wash feet again) trim nails. Then wash with soap using a brush to get under and around the nails. After feet have dried apply antifungal cream to feet and tea tree oil to the nails (use a Q tip this prevents cross infection to healthy nails). This can be applied in the morning and night.
TIP: flush q tips in toilet.
The benefits of this are (no calus, canker soars or cracked skin) and your feet will look and smell better too.
(Originally posted: October 10, 2009 1:58:42 PM EDT) Ben | Jun 19, 10 | 10:11 am
First and for most if you want your nails to get that health look again you have to kill the fungus on the surface first that means athletes foot. Now many of you may think ( oh I don't have athletes foot) but if you got nail fungus then it is very likely you got it from your self. The reason you got nail fungus is because at some point it was able to get under the nail.
Here are some things I did that worked for me.
Step 1 wash feet or hands with soap (tea tree oil soap) if possible. This is done every time you shower and if you don't shower then when you get home from a long day wash feet. ALWAYS! Even after your feet are better this is good hygiene. Change socks every time you remove your shoes but at least once. That means clean pair in the morning and again in the afternoon. Just take a zip lock bag with fresh pair to work with you every day (this is too easy)...
Step 2 is a home remedy that is good for feet and nails. In a large container that you can put both feet into mix 50/50 or 1 part peroxide and 1 part apple cider vinegar (the brown color one). Then soak for 20 to 30 min at least once a day. Fungus can not grow in an acidic inviroment hence the vinegar and fungus hates oxygen so that's what the peroxide is for. After the soak (before you wash feet again) trim nails. Then wash with soap using a brush to get under and around the nails. After feet have dried apply antifungal cream to feet and tea tree oil to the nails (use a Q tip this prevents cross infection to healthy nails). This can be applied in the morning and night.
TIP: flush q tips in toilet.
The benefits of this are (no calus, canker soars or cracked skin) and your feet will look and smell better too.
(Originally posted: October 10, 2009 1:58:42 PM EDT) Ben | Jun 19, 10 | 10:11 am
Disclaimer
Kill Nail Fungus.com is not a medical site and not intended to take the place of a qualified doctor. Information contained here is simply the personal experiences of those who have had to deal with nail fungus and come with no guarantees. Use at your own risk, but more importantly, consult your dermatologist / doctor before trying anything mentioned on this site.
