Symptoms/Factors

• The symptoms are yellow or green discoloration of the toenail that becomes thick and brittle. It may peel or crumble at at the edges of the nail. It can sometimes be painful. Some individuals are more prone to get toe fungus than others. People with an abnormal skin pH are more susceptible, as are those who have suffered a trauma to the nail, have poor foot hygiene or have a lowered immune system. Your risk may also increase if your feet perspire excessively since fungus thrives in moist places.
  
  

Home Remedies

• You can attempt to treat your toe fungus with products you probably have at home. Soak your toe(s) in a solution of equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and cider vinegar for 15 to 20 minutes. Dry thoroughly. This should be repeated two to three times a day. You might also trying soaking in Listerine mouthwash in the same manner. Topical treatments include tea tree oil mixed with olive oil or lavender oil. Apply with a cotton ball several times daily. Application of a product containing menthol, such as Vicks VapoRub, on clean, dry toes twice a day may also eliminate the fungus.
  
  

Topical Medications

• There are many over-the-counter toe fungus treatments available, such as Fungisil or Miracle Toes. Your doctor may prescribe a medication called Penlac to be used in conjunction with oral medications. It is an anti-fungal nail polish. He may also suggest that you use other over-the-counter topical treatments along with oral medication.
  
  

Oral Medications

• Your doctor can prescribe an oral anti-fungal medication to treat your toe fungus. These include Itraconazole (Sporanox), Terbinafine (Lamisil) and Fluconazole (Diflucan). These drugs, taken for as long as 6 to 12 weeks, help new, healthy nails grow in, eliminating the infected portion. It can take as long as four months, possibly longer, for your new nail to completely grow out. These medication may causes side effects, such as skin rashes, and can cause liver damage. If you have liver disease you may not be able to take them.
  
  

Considerations

• Treating toe fungus takes a long time, sometimes months. Diligence in using the medication and proper care of your toes is important. Nails should be trimmed regularly with a separate set of nail clippers and filed straight across. Serious cases may require removal of the nail by your doctor. Laser remedy is a new treatment for toenail fungus, but it has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
  
  

Prevention

• Wear shower shoes or sandals when you are in public areas such as showers and swimming pools. Your socks should be 100 percent cotton or wool because they absorb the perspiration from your feet. Avoid wearing nail polish on your toenails, particularly if you already have a fungus condition. It seals the fungus between the polish and your nails. Keep your feet clean and dry as much as possible. A moisture absorbing foot powder in your shoes may help.