Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Recognizing a fungal nail
• Part 2 of 4: Treating the yeast infection with over-the-counter remedies and home remedies
• Part 3 of 4: Treating the yeast infection with prescription drugs
• Part 4 of 4: Preventing another infection
• Tips

Onychomycosis, or fungal nail, is a common infection that usually affects the toenails and sometimes the fingernails. The infection is caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes that thrive in warm, humid environments like your shoes. If you think you have an infection on your nails, try to treat it quickly and routinely. The fungus will come back again and again if given the chance.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Recognizing a fungal nail

1. Look for a white or yellow spot under your nail. This is the first sign of a fungal infection. The spot may appear under the tip of your nail. When the rest of your nail becomes infected, the discolored area will enlarge and your nail will thicken on the sides and crumble.
   • Your nail can also become deformed.
   • An infected nail may look dull.
   • Dirt can get under your nail, making it look dark.
2. Notice if your nail smells. With a fungal nail, your nail will not always stink. If you have other signs of an infection but your nail doesn't smell, don't assume you don't have an infection.
3. See if any more nails are infected. The fungal infection spreads easily. You may notice that several (but usually not all) nails are infected. If you see that several nails are discolored, this is another sign that you are dealing with nail fungus.
4. Don't hesitate to seek medical attention if you are in pain or if your nail starts to loosen. These are obvious symptoms of an infection, and the infection is probably quite advanced. Ignoring the infection may cause you to have difficulty walking and spread the infection to other nails and the skin around your nails.

Part 2 of 4: Treating the yeast infection with over-the-counter remedies and home remedies

1. Apply Vicks VapoRub on the nail. If you apply this ointment (usually used to treat a cough) daily, it can work well to relieve the symptoms of the infection. Apply a small amount using a cotton swab.
2. Soften and trim your nails. Keeping your nails short puts less pressure on your toe or finger and reduces pain. However, clipping can become tricky if your infected nails get thick and hard, so you may need to soften them first. Buy an over-the-counter lotion with urea. This substance can thin and break down the affected part of the nail plate.
   • Before going to sleep, coat your infected nail with the lotion and wrap it in a bandage.
   • Rinse your feet with soap and water in the morning to remove the lotion. Your nails should soon be soft enough to be able to file and trim them.
   • Look for a lotion that contains 40% urea.
3. Buy an anti-fungal cream or ointment. There are many over-the-counter remedies that you may want to try before seeing your doctor. First file all white streaks off the infected nail and then soak it in water for a few minutes. Dry your nails before applying ointment with a cotton swab.
   • Using a cotton swab or other single-use device will prevent the fungus from spreading. Touch the affected area as little as possible.
4. Use plantain extract. A study has shown that this plant extract works just as well as a prescription anti-fungal cream. You will need to use it for about three months.
   • Use it every three days for the first month.
   • Use it twice a week for the second month.
   • Use it once a week for the third month.

Part 3 of 4: Treating the yeast infection with prescription drugs

1. Try an oral antifungal medication. This is considered the most effective treatment, but you must have a prescription from your doctor to use such medication. The treatment usually lasts three months and your doctor may also prescribe a topical ointment or cream. You may also need to have blood tests from time to time to see how your body responds to the medications.
   • An oral antifungal medicine ensures that the infected nail is replaced by a new, healthy nail. You will not see the result until the nail has grown all over again, which can take longer than four months.
   • Such a drug can sometimes have serious side effects and is not recommended if you have liver disease or congestive heart failure.
2. Ask your doctor for medicated nail polish. You should apply such a remedy to your infected nails and the skin around them once a day. At the end of the week, remove the layers of nail polish with alcohol and start the process all over again.
   • It can take up to a year to fight the infection with this method.
3. Use prescription creams or lotions. Your doctor may prescribe an anti-fungal cream alone, or may also prescribe another remedy such as an oral medication. To ensure that the cream can penetrate your nail, make your nail thinner first. You can soak it in water or treat it overnight with a cream containing urea.
4. Have the infected nail removed. Depending on the severity of the infection, your doctor may recommend surgical removal of the nail.Topical agents can then be applied to the skin under the nail, as well as to the new nail while it is growing again.
   • If the infection is very painful and the treatment is not working, your doctor may decide to remove the nail permanently.
   • It can take up to a year for your nail to grow back.

Part 4 of 4: Preventing another infection

1. Wear flip flops when in a public swimming pool, changing area, spa, or shower room. Fungal infections spread very easily and the fungus thrives in humid environments. Protect yourself by wearing flip flops or other footwear so that you do not come into contact with surfaces that could be contaminated.
2. Keep your nails short, dry and clean. Wash your hands and feet regularly and make sure to wash the areas between your fingers and toes. Keep your nails short and dry and file away thick areas of the nail plate.
   • Your toenails shouldn't be longer than your toes.
   • Try to dry your hands as often as possible if you have a job where your hands are often wet, such as if you work in a pub or in the household. If you must wear rubber gloves, make sure to put on clean ones so your hands don't get too sweaty and damp.
   • If you think you have an infection, don't paint your nails with regular nail polish to try to hide the spots. As a result, moisture can be retained and the infection can get worse.
3. Wear the right shoes and socks. Throw out your old shoes and look for shoes that your feet can breathe in so they don't get damp. Change socks regularly (more than once a day if you sweat a lot) and look for socks made from fabrics that move moisture away from the skin, such as wool, nylon, and polypropylene.
4. Go to a reputable nail salon and keep your own tools clean. Make sure the salon where you undergo a manicure or pedicure carefully sterilizes all of its aids. If you can't see how thoroughly they are sterilizing, bring your own tools and sanitize them afterwards.
   • Sanitize your nail clippers, cuticle clippers and any other tools you use to keep your nails short and healthy.

Tips

• Keep your feet dry.
• Wear cotton socks.
• Fungal nails are not very common in children. Usually it is adults who suffer from it.
• People with weakened immune systems, diabetes, circulatory problems and Down's syndrome are more prone to fungal infections.
• Do not share shoes and other footwear with others.