4 Tips to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is just what it sounds like — a fungal infection of your toenails. While it can also affect fingernails, it’s more likely to go for the toenails. The infection starts when fungi get between your toenail and the nail bed (tissue directly below the nail). This happens when you have even a small crack or cut in your toe.

When a dermatophyte causes the infection, it’s called tinea unguium. A dermatophyte is a mold (in the same family as fungi) that needs keratin protein to grow, and it just so happens that keratin is the main structural material of your nails. 

Dermatophytes are the cause of 90% of toenail fungal infections.

At Chicagoland Foot and Ankle, our team of board-certified podiatrists sees its fair share of fungal toenails. And while the fungus can be quite stubborn to get rid of, we have four tips to help.

Risk factors for getting a fungal toenail

Anyone can get toenail fungus, especially those who walk barefoot in warm, wet areas like locker rooms and pools. It’s also more prevalent among the older population, those over 60 at the least.

You may have a higher risk if you have:

• Athlete’s foot (same fungal infection)
• Diabetes
• Hyperhidrosis (sweat a lot, leaving feet in damp socks)
• A nail injury
• Poor blood circulation due to peripheral vascular disease
• Psoriasis (an autoimmune disorder)
• A weakened immune system

Toenail fungus is very common, especially as you start to age. Doctors estimate that toenail fungus (onychomycosis) affects 1 in 10 people overall. That number jumps to 1 in 2 (50%) for those older than 70.

Fungal toenail symptoms

Tinea unguium affects your toenail’s appearance, and the nail may:

• Appear white, yellow, or brown
• Be spotted with chalky or cloudy spots
• Thicken and possibly look misshapen
• Separate from your nail bed
• Crack or break in one or more spots

Toenail fungus is unquestionably unsightly, but at least it usually isn’t painful. Unfortunately, though, once you have it, it can spread.

Most toenail fungi don’t spread beyond your toe, but some of the dermatophytes spread easily to your skin, which also contains keratin. Toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, the skin between your toes (athlete’s foot), the groin area (jock itch), or your scalp.

Tips to get rid of toenail fungus

There are three primary types of treatment for toenail fungus; the fourth is more a preventive against it coming back.

Oral antifungal medication

Options include terbinafine (Lamisil®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), or fluconazole (Diflucan®). You take the medication every day for at least several months. We may use blood tests to check for medication side effects, especially those that affect the liver, as well as interactions with other medications you take.

Topical medication

The topical medication is like a nail polish that you brush onto your nail, and it works over time. This is most effective when paired  with oral medication.

Laser treatment

With this treatment, we direct a laser beam and special lights at the fungal nail to remove the fungus. Lasers are FDA-approved for “temporary increase of clear nail” in nail fungus. That means they’re not a cure. 

Cure rates for laser treatments are lower than for both oral and topical medications, so lasers aren’t a first-line treatment for nail fungus.

Prevention strategies

To reduce the chance toenail fungus will come back, practice good hygiene and foot care, which means not walking barefoot in locker rooms and showers, changing damp socks, and getting regular foot care exams. 

If you have diabetes, getting regular foot exams is even more important, so we can address foot problems before they become serious.

If you’re dealing with an unsightly case of toenail fungus, Chicagoland Foot and Ankle can help. Call any of our locations, or book your appointment online today. We have offices in the Mount Greenwood and Portage Park areas of Chicago, and in Orland Park and New Lenox, Illinois.