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Revealed: 5 Approaches To Treating Nail Fungus Infections

Around 1 in every 10 people in the US suffer from Onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the toenails and fingernails.  Incidence rates increase with age with an estimated 4 in every 10 people in the over 60 age bracket affected.  The infection is caused by fungal organisms known as dermatophytes which feed on keratinised material found in the skin, nails and hair.  The disease is a form of "ringworm" and is closely related to Athlete's foot and Jock itch infections.

But unlike other forms of ringworm that can normally be cleared up in a matter of days by applying a topical antifungal cream, nail fungus infections are harder to treat as in most cases the fungus is located underneath the nail.  In this position the nail forms a protective barrier over the fungus making it harder to expose to treatment.

The good news is that the number of toenail fungus treatments increases every year.  Here are the 5 main options currently available.

1. Surgical removal - This is generally only recommended in late stage infections if the condition is causing pain or impaired movement.
2. Oral antifungals - Unfortunately some oral treatments have been shown to cause serious side effects.  For chronic infections they may still be necessary but only under close medical supervision.
3. Topical treatments - This is by far the most popular form of treatment.  Several high quality nail lacquers containing powerful antifungal agents are available over the counter.  The best products have been designed to quickly penetrate into the nail to reach the fungus.  See these Zetaclear reviews for example.
4. Home remedies - Examples include Listerine, white wine vinegar and Vicks Vaporub.  These may be useful for prevention and to protect healthy nails but are unlikely to help get rid of moderate or severe infections.
5. Laser treatment - It is still early days in the evolution of laser toenail fungus treatments.  But as early indications look good, it makes sense to keep an eye on the results from the new clinical trials that are currently underway.

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