Fungal Nail Infections
Home Treatment
If you have a mild fungal nail infection or are concerned about the risks of oral antifungal medication, try an antifungal medication you put directly on your skin (topical medication), such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or ciclopirox (Penlac). You can also use a topical antifungal to prevent athlete's foot, which can cause fungal nail infections. However, topical medications may not be as effective as oral medications in treating fungal nail infections.
Some people consider tea tree oil or cream to be an effective alternative for treating and preventing athlete's foot and mild fungal nail infections. It is typically used to treat minor cuts, burns, acne, athlete's foot, mild fungal nail infections, vaginal yeast infections, and respiratory problems (added to a bath or vaporizer).8 There is little research on how effective tea tree oil is for fungal nail infections.
After an infection has cleared up, use daily measures to prevent reinfection.
- Before bed, thoroughly wash and dry your feet or hands and apply a topical antifungal, such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or ciclopirox (Penlac), directly to your skin or nail. Use the topical medication for one year.7
- Keep your feet and hands dry. Dry skin and nails are less likely to become infected. Apply powder to your dry feet or hands after you take a shower or bath.
- Wear dry cotton socks and change them 2 or 3 times a day if necessary.
- Wear dry shoes that allow air to circulate around your feet. Avoid tight, enclosed shoes. Injury to the tips of the toes because of tight shoes may be the biggest single factor that leads to a fungal nail infection returning.7
- Wear shower sandals or shower shoes when using a public pool or shower; allow them to dry between uses.
- Don't share shoes, socks, nail clippers, or nail files with others.
- Avoid injuring your nail. Cutting nails too short is a common cause of nail injury. If you decide to get artificial nails or have a manicure, go to a salon that uses sterile instruments. Nail manicure and certain nail products can damage the nail or cuticle, making the nail more susceptible to infection.
- Control chronic conditions such as diabetes.
- Stop smoking.
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| Author: | Sabra L. Katz-Wise | Last Updated: August 23, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Randall D. Burr, MD - Dermatology | |
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