6 Unconventional Treatments To Nail Fungus

People who are or have been afflicted with nail fungus will attest to the fact that it is a tough adversary to beat. There are many treatment options available including pharmaceutical topical and oral medications as well as natural herbal remedies. But they take forever to finish, are messy or are downright ineffective.

It is no wonder that some sufferers have come up with some of the most preposterous treatment options out of sheer desperation. Forget about mouthwash or vapor rub, as these prove mainstream and humdrum compared to our compilation. There are no medical studies to back up these claims. But we deem them worthy of publishing mainly to educate and to an extent humor our dear readers. But then again, maybe a few years into the future these outlandish practices will conquer the medical journals under proven safe and effective cures for nail fungus. But don¡¯t take our word for it. Always consult a physician for all your health concerns.


1. Monistat

Monistat is the common cure for feminine yeast infection. Judging from the drug indications alone, a female patient one day hypothesized that it might work for her nail fungus infection as well. She tried it and found it effective after a few months of diligent application on her infected digits. She started a ripple of endorsements until someone decided to post a testimonial over the internet.


2. Magnifying Glass

A brilliant guy thought of frying the fungus with a magnifying glass for 30 seconds daily. Nothing else is known about this case, whether it turned out to be successful or for how long he had to endure this treatment until he decided to spread the word.


3. Common Household Cleaning Agents

There have been many desperate patients who have blindly banked on the germ-killing action of their favorite household cleaning agents. If they work on the tiles, surely they¡¯ll work on your toes! But then again, there¡¯s never a good reason for anybody to try on their own flesh these harsh chemicals designed for efficiently cleaning inanimate objects. Tilex, Lysol, bleach, even swimming pool algaecide ¨C name it, somebody has probably tried it on nail fungus.


4. Chelation Therapy

Chelation therapy is the treatment of heavy metal poisoning using chelating agents. It is also used as alternative medicine for autism and heart disease among others. It is exclusively administered by a physician and can be potentially fatal. There are reportedly a few people who have resorted to this treatment for managing nail fungus.


5. Try Urine

Somebody has actually posted a testimonial on urine as treatment for nail fungal infection. Come to think of it, it¡¯s handy and free. It¡¯s probably the urea, urine¡¯s primary component, that did the job. But then again, we don¡¯t want to bet on it.


6 Potassium Iodide

This chemical is widely used as a thyroid cancer blocking agent in cases of overexposure to radiation. Nail fungus treatment is an unorthodox use of the chemical agent and can pose serious a threat to thyroid health. Unless there is a real threat of radioactive fallout, we suggest that you keep away from this chemical and turn to other natural remedies to nail fungal infection.

Nail Removal for Nail Fungus?

It seems that you and your doctor have taken the surgeon's approach to toenail infection!

Before we get to cutting or removing the nails, let me point out a few general facts. Individuals who suffer from diabetes are susceptible to toenail fungal infections and their complications. It is very important to treat the infection and achieve good glucose control. (This is not just a cosmetic problem for individuals who have diabetes.) Treatment depends on the stage of the infection and other factors. If there is only a white patch on the nail, an antifungal lacquer application will cure the infection. If there is nail thickening, brittleness, separation and inflammation, an oral (pill) antifungal agent can be effective as a single therapy or in combination with an antifungal lacquer. The usual discoloration of the toenail is a yellowish brown hue. If there are other organisms causing the change in the toenail, the discoloration may take on a dark green to black appearance. Black toenail can also be caused by trauma, autoimmune disorders and melanoma. So it is important to arrive at the right diagnosis before treatment. This can be done by a biopsy and culture of the toenail.

Removing the toenail completely is not recommended for individuals who have diabetes, since the risk of complication due to poor wound healing and infection is high. I would highly recommend that you go to your doctor or a podiatrist to manage the trimming and, if necessary, the removal of the nail. Reasons for removal include the following reasons: if leaving the toenail will cause further complication, if trimming does not achieve the desired result, and/or if you are not eligible for antifungal agents.

Since you have recurring athlete's foot, you might also consider the following guidelines:

* Keep your feet dry but not excessively dry. Use lotion to prevent excessive dryness, but do not use it between your toes.
* Be vigilant about careful drying after bathing or physical activity, or when you are in a warm humid environment. To help keep feet dry, you may use either regular or antifungal talc. Wear socks made of "breathing" fabric, which keep moisture off the skin.
* Make sure you examine your feet daily for minor skin breaks, rashes, and nail changes.
* Keep your shoes in a cool dry place.
* Because any trauma to the toes increases the chance of fungal infection, wear well-fitting shoes and seamless soft socks. Keep your toenails trimmed straight across and not too short.
* Do not walk barefoot.
* Clean your tub with bleach and use shower shoes when in a public gym or swimming pool.