:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/shp-best-toenail-fungus-treatments-of-2023-tout-85d006097d584300ad75670d793e0c6e.jpg?ssl=1 "The 7 Best Toenail Fungus Treatments, According to Dermatologists")
It’s not cute or glamorous, but nail fungus happens — especially for those who like to move and hit the gym. Nail fungal infections, aka onychomycosis (say that three times fast), are fairly common. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, they occur in 10 percent of the general population, 20 percent of people over age 60, and 50 percent of people over age 70.
Twineal infections are fungal infections that are spread by skin-to-skin contact or skin-to-surface contact. “Fungus thrives in warm, moist environments, such as sweaty feet, damp socks, public gyms, public showers, and hotel rooms, as well as in your own home.” Fortunately, there are many over-the-counter (OTC) options available to help fight the infection. After consulting with podiatrists and dermatologists (in addition to doing our own thorough research), these are the best treatments for toenail fungus.
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Type: Liquid | Size: 0.1 oz Ingredients: Ethanol, Propylene Glycol, Chlorhexidine Acetate
Arella toenail fungus treatment works on both nails and toes. Buyers repeatedly emphasize how it outperforms many similar products they’ve tried and how easy it is to use. To this point, it has a very easy and mess-free brush-on application, and the liquid formula dries very quickly. The brand promises two to four weeks of results and recommends applying the treatment two to three times per day to remove discoloration and strengthen nails.
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Why we love it
Treats nail fungus, nail psoriasis, and general damage or discoloration
Clear and odorless formulas
Type: Polish | Size: 0.43 oz Ingredients: Salicylic acid, urea, white petroleum
Amazon’s top choice for “nail repair,” this one-stop shop not only helps treat fungal infections, but it’s also ideal for treating any nail damage or discoloration caused by too many gel manicures, aging nails, or just general brittleness. Most Kerasel fungal nail renewal formulas (targeted at people who only have fungal infections), need to be used twice a day for the first week and then once a day thereafter. Fortunately, this formula is clear and odorless, so it’s easy to use carefully.
The weakness of this product lies in the applicator itself. Many people noted that it did not work well or broke before they started using it. Buyers should be gentle as they open the packaging and start using Kerasal.
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Type: Jail | Size: 1.6 oz Ingredients: tolnaftate
“(Fungus Nail Antifungal Ointment) is one of my favorite nail fungal treatments because it relieves symptoms like burning and itching while also rejuvenating the skin under the nail and around the cuticle,” says Lucy Chen, MD, a dermatologist at Reverce Dermatology in Miami. “It’s also very easy to use and won’t break the bank.” Uses tolnaftate 1%, a clinically proven antifungal active ingredient, to restore skin health, treat and prevent infections, along with five essential oils–tea tree oil, aloe vera, eucalyptus, olive oil, and lavender–to restore skin health. On a negative note, many reviewers found that this formula took a little longer to start working (up to a month) than other options.
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Type: The oil | Size: 0.5 oz Ingredients: Tea tree oil
Applying cuticle oil daily is one of the best (and easiest) ways to strengthen nails. The Doctor’s Treatment Antifungal Late Cuticle Oil goes above and beyond the call of duty, thanks to the inclusion of andric acid, which helps treat and even prevent fungal infections from starting. The other good thing? The formula can even penetrate polish, meaning users can apply the oil even if their nails are painted.
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Type: The oil | Size: 0.33 oz | Ingredients: Tea tree oil
For those looking for an all-natural nail fungus treatment option (or an easy at-home remedy), Dr. Chen recommends tea tree oil. Naturally antifungal, “it has been studied to be as effective as clotrimazole, the active ingredient found in many over-the-counter antifungal treatments.” She recommends diluting tea tree essential oil with a carrier oil (olive or jojoba are both good options) before pressing into the nail and surrounding skin. Of course, it’s important to remember that this oil isn’t specifically designed to treat tonsil fungus like many of the other items on this list. Those who prefer more clinical options should look elsewhere.
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Type: Ointment Size: 1.76 oz | Ingredients: Menthol, camphor
According to MD, a New York City-based dermatologist and nail health expert, Vicks Vaporrub is often cited as an effective nail fungus treatment because of its active and inactive ingredients. “Thymol, menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oil have shown efficacy against dermatophytes in a lab setting.” A warning is advised for those who regularly use this (or any other type of alternative) and are not seeing any improvement after two to four months. That’s because, like tea tree oil, Vicks Vaporeb Ointment wasn’t specifically designed to help with toe fungus. Those who prefer more straightforward options should choose another product on the list.
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Type: Polish | Size: 1.5 oz Ingredients: Tea tree oil
While Weiser says wearing nail polish over a bad case of toenail fungus is inevitable, life happens! Maybe there’s a wedding on the horizon or a trip to the beach that calls for a hot pink toe. When it comes to a polish occasion, Doctor Remedy Enriched Nail Polish offers beautiful color And Antifungal tea tree oil. Users note, however, that this polish takes a long time to dry. So throw on a TV show, apply a couple of coats, and relax.
Other form-loving twineal fungus remedies
While we haven’t had a chance to test these toenail fungus treatments ourselves, many users rave about their effectiveness and quick results. It’s worth exploring other options that have worked for many others.
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What to Know About Twine Fungus
- Symptoms: Twineal fungus is one of those “if you know, you know” type conditions. “Fungal infections can cause thickening of the toenails, between your feet, under your toes, and toenails,” explains Wieser.
- Treatment: “The treatment options available for toenail fungus include topical antifungal creams, oral antifungal medications, and in some cases, removal of the affected nail (either partial or total), laser therapy, or chemotherapy or chemical or surgical removal of the nail,” Wieser says. Oral treatment also depends on the individual’s health status, he added.
- Ingredients: One is a a lot About tonsil fungus treatments out there, so it’s important to read the ingredients label before purchasing. “OTC products contain antifungal agents such as clotrimazole, terbinafine, or ciclopirox. These ingredients help fight fungal infections,” Weiser says. She notes that these products work best when applied thinly — or on a debeded, acrylic surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most effective treatment for nail fungus?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the most effective treatment for nail fungus is antifungal medication. Oral antifungals have higher cure rates than topical antifungals but also come with more potential side effects. A dermatologist or podiatrist can determine whether topical antifungals or oral antifungals may be the best treatment based on the severity of the infection. In some difficult cases, surgical removal of the nail may be recommended to clean it up.
How can I get rid of nail fungus ASAP?
There is no quick fix for nail fungus, but a consultation with a dermatologist or podiatrist can help you get targeted treatment and prescription medication if needed.
What is the best antifungal for nail fungus?
There is no one best antifungal and which one may be needed depends on the severity of the infection. Topical antifungals for mild infections may include amorolfine. Ciclopirox. Efinaconazole, or Tavaborole. Oral antifungals for more severe infections include fluconazole, griseofulvin, itraconazole, and terbinafine, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
Why form trust?
Kelis McPhillips is a health and wellness writer living in Los Angeles. Her journalism has appeared in The New York Times, Well+Good, Shape, Fortune, Runner’s World, Outside, Yoga Journal, and others.
Our experts
We consulted a podiatrist and two dermatologists to inform our research and toenail fungus treatment options.
- Sidney Weiser, DPM, is a podiatrist and founder and president of Quality Podiatry Group.
- Lucy Chen, MD, is a dermatologist at Reverce Dermatology in Miami.
- Dana Stern, MD, is a dermatologist and nail health specialist based in New York City.
