The two-step process for non-surgical treatment of onychomycosis
Fungal toe nail infection, also called onychomycosis, is a progressive disorder of the nail that is due to the environment inside our shoes. Fungus is a plant, and to survive fungus needs an environment that is dark, warm and moist. There’s no better place for a fungus to thrive than inside your shoe. Smart little plant, that fungus.
But I shower every day - how did I get a fungal toe nail infection?
As a species, we humans are shed machines. I’ve heard estimates that in the course of our lifetimes, each of us will shed an amount of skin, hair and nail cells close to three times our body weight. That means that a 100lbs person will shed 300lbs of skin cells in their lifetime. Where does all this detritus go? We can vacuum and sweep, but inevitably we’re bound to come in contact with this shed, especially in areas of high people traffic like the grocery store, post office, etc. And in many cases, this shed is going to have little surprises in it like fungus cells. That’s where the fungal toe nail story begins.
Many fungal nail infections are preceded by an injury to the nail. The protective barrier provided by the nail is disrupted with an injury to the nail and that's when our little fungal friends take advantage of an opportunity to infect the nail. The process of infection is slow, typically beginning at the distal margin of the nail and progressing over a period of months to years to the base of the nail. Changes include;
- Thickening of the nail
- White/yellow discoloration of the nail
- Separation of the nail from the underlying nail bed
Treatment options for onychomycosis
What’s the best treatment for fungal nail infections? It’s important to recognize that there’s no silver bullet treatment for fungal nail infections. Most importantly, you need to realize that treatment needs to be daily and ongoing. Treatment of fungal nail infections should be considered foot hygiene, just as brushing your teeth is a daily dental hygiene project.
Traditional approaches to the treatment of onychomycosis include;
- Topical over-the-counter (OTC) medications (FungiNail, Terpenicol)
- Topical prescription medications (Jublia, Penlac)
- Oral antifungal medications (Lamisil, Sporonox)
- Surgical excision of the nail (temporary or permanent)
As a practicing podiatrist, I have this ‘toe nail’ conversation with patients each and every day. And invariably, every patient asks, “Isn’t there a better way?” Yes, there is a better way to treat toe nail fungus that’s safe, affordable and natural. Let’s walk through the steps you should take to treat your toe nail fungus with Natural Antifungal Nail Solution and Natural Antifungal Nail Butter.
Steps to treat toe nail fungus
The first step is to determine the severity of your toe nail infection. How severe is your nail infection? Image 1 shows an early, superficial fungal infection of the nail. Image 2 shows a deep fungal infection of the nail. Let’s take a look at the best treatment methods for both a superficial and deep fungal infection of the nail.
Treatment of superficial fungal infections of the toe nail
Superficial fungal infections of the nail can be treated with daily applications of Natural Antifungal Nail Solution. Clean the nail with soap and water or alternatively with an alcohol swab. Apply Natural Antifungal Nail Solution twice daily to the nail. Be sure to continue application of Natural Antifungal Nail Solution until the entire fungal infection has grown out. Depending upon the severity of the fungal toe nail infection, this may take months.
Treatment tips!
- Be patient and be compliant.
- Every treatment you miss is a win for the fungus.
- Twice a day, every day is the way you win this battle.
- Keep your feet cool, dry and open to UV light. Use a drying agent like Onox on a daily basis.
- Rotate shoes allowing 24 hours between use to allow them to dry thoroughly.
Treatment of deep fungal infections of the toe nail
Treatment of deep fungal nail infections is a two-stage project that requires physical and chemical debridement (removal) of the nail and follow-up daily treatment of the toe nail fungus. To treat deep fungal infections of the toe nail, begin with mechanical debridement (removal) of the nail using a nail cutter. Remove as much nail as possible. Next, begin chemical debridement of the nail by applying Natural Antifungal Nail Butter. Natural Antifungal Nail Butter works to gently remove diseased portions of the nail while preserving healthy nail. It also actively treats toe nail fungus. Once you feel that the Natural Antifungal Nail Butter has removed the entire fungal nail, discontinue Natural Antifungal Nail butter and begin using Natural Antifungal Nail Solution.
Treatment tips!
- Mechanical and chemical removal of the diseased (fungal) nail is required for optimal antifungal treatment
- Natural Antifungal Nail Butter will make your nail fall off – you got that right! But that’s exactly what we want.
- Use Natural Antifungal Nail Butter to remove the fungal toe nail but transition to a less aggressive method of treatment (Natural Antifungal Nail Solution) for long term treatment of the fungus.
- Keep your feet cool, dry and open to UV light. Use a drying agent like Onox on a daily basis.
- Rotate shoes allowing 24 hours between use to allow them to dry thoroughly.
There is a fungus among us. But treatment of toe nail fungus is possible with safe, affordable and effective natural tools from Myfootshop.com. You’ll never cure toe nail fungus, but you can have clear, beautiful nails with ongoing treatment.
Jeff
Medical Advisor
Myfootshop.com
Updated 12/24/2019
Also, how do i know when to stop the Nail Butter and transition to the Nail Solution? Does it hurt my success rate if I use the Nail Butter for too long?
Thanks.
Jeff
Right, each of our antifungal products in the natural's line will will each of the common types of fungus that cause fungal skin and nail infections.
The transition from Antifungal Nail Butter (https://www.myfootshop.com/natural-antifungal-nail-butter) to Antifungal Nail Solution (http://www.myfootshop.com/natural-antifungal-nail-solution) is pretty easy. As soon as you see that all of the residual flaking of the old fungal nail is gone, it's time to switch. But not to fear - if you think you need to go back and do a little more keratolysis (nail removal) with Nail Butter, it's fine to switch back. The key is not to use the Nail Butter as and ongoing, daily antifungal.
Hope this helps.
Jeffrey Oster, DPM
Medical Director
Myfootshop.com
When you say several methods, I'd focus on drying the foot, disinfecting the shoe and treating the nail. But I wouldn't necessarily use two different medications on the nail. You're right, that would be overkill.<br>
1. Start with the <a href="/natural-antifungal-nail-butter">Natural Antifungal Nail Butter</a> to knock down the thick, diseased portion of the fungal nail.<br>
2. Jump next to the <a href="/natural-antifungal-nail-solution">Natural Antifungal Nail Solution</a> for long term treatment of the nail fungus.<br>
3. Start now with <a href="/onox-foot-drying-solution-1">Onox</a>, once to twice a day to dry the foot and <a href="/terpenicol-shoe-spray">Terpenicol Shoe Spray</a> to disinfect the shoe.<br>
So you can start with different treatment but they need to address the nail, drying the foot and disinfecting the shoes.<br>
<a href="/jeffrey_a_oster_dpm_cv">Jeffrey A. Oster, DPM</a><br>
Medical Director<br>
Myfootshop.com
Think of using the <a href="/natural-antifungal-nail-butter">Natural Antifungal Nail Butter</a> as first line tool for the heavy, thick <a href="/toe-nail-fungus">fungal toenails</a>. Remember that Nail Butter is only to knock down the thickness of the fungal nail. Although it can treat fungal infections, it's primary job is reduction of the thickness of the nail. <a href="/natural-antifungal-nail-solution">Natural Antifungal Nail Solution</a> is going to be the long term way to keep the fungus at bay.<br>
Have you looked at our <a href="/just-for-toenails-medicated-nail-polish">Just For ToeNails Medicated Nail Polish</a>? That's our antifungal nail solution that comes in multiple colors. Just for Toenails isn't going to be as effective for solving the fungal nail problem but it'll certainly be fun while limiting the advancement of the fungal nail infection.<br>
<a href="/jeffrey_a_oster_dpm_cv">Jeffrey A. Oster, DPM</a><br>
Medical Director<br>
Myfootshop.com