Toenail Fungus Help PLEASE!?

[Jarred2004]

I am 15/m and have toenail fungus on 3 toenails. I can't paint my toenails so I can't swim in the summer with my friends b/c I am so embarrassed of it. I will do ANYTHING to get rid of it. I have had it my whole life and am so embarrassed I never swim with anyone but family. I also HATE that I can't wear sandals. I have ALWAYS wanted to. My dad talked to a doctor friend about it and all they said is that there are some prescription drugs but they are hard on the liver and very expensive. PLEASE I can't live with this any longer. I can't wear sandals or swim b/c I am afraid people will see. Can someone please tell me how to get rid of this stuff? I have tried clipping them down and putting Lotrimin and I have tried that oil stuff from Wal-Mart, but neither work. How do I get rid of this stuff? Please help!

[Marti]

Bleach and vinegar are not a cure and will only mask the problem -- this 'cure' is just a myth. Fungus 'feeds' on the proteins in the nail plate and leaves behind evident yellowish debris between the nail plate and the nail bed. It can move from toenail to toenail. Oral medication is the best treatment for nail fungus, although the doctor should take a scraping and grow a culture to determine the strain of fungus causing the infection in order to prescribe the proper medication. Since fungus thrives in warm, moist places like the feet, it would actually be better if you did wear sandles so your toe nails would have a chance to 'dry out'. Nail fungus is generally from the 'yeast' family of fungal spores. Believe it or not, one of my clients had exxcellent results from using Monostat 7. She would push some of the cream between the nail plate and the nail bed twice daily. You could still use the Lotrimin and 'push' it between the lifted space. Fungus spores are hard to 'kill' and can also be treated with topical applications of Penlac which is applied like nail polish. It will penetrate the nail plate layers to do its' 'job'. I would still go see a dermatologist who is more knowledgable of nail diseases and have it treated properly. Home remedies may work for a while, but in the long run, medical intervention and treatment work better and are more permanent. It can take from 6 months to a year before the fungus 'dies' and the toe nail is 'normal' again.

[redwing]

I tried the oral medication and the fungus came back in my big toe nail. There are also certain side effects to be concerned with when taking the oral medications, like possible liver damage. I have been trying the vinegar routine decribed above for about 4 months and the new growth has now turned pink. I also am adding "vapo rub" (Vicks and other generic brands) as a topical to the nail. I read this somewhere as another possible cure. So I am doing both at once. All I can say is try it and see if it works for you. I agree that you must not miss a day.

[This message has been edited by redwing (edited 06-07-2001).]

[Jarred2004]

I have regular vinegar from the store, but what exactly is distilled vinegar? I will try that and see if it works, I just need to know what distilled vinegar is.

[redwing]

You can buy white distilled vinegar in large plastic bottles, like at Kroger's. I think Heinz has one in a smaller glass bottle. It's also a great mild cleaner when mixed in with water, for windows, wood floors etc. It's located in the grocery store by the cider vinegars, which you do not want. A small amount will last you a long time for the nail treatment. I believe it is about a 5% solution (see label). If it is 5%, you do not have to dilute it for the nail treatment. I put some in a small plastic bottle and apply it with a Q-tip.

[This message has been edited by redwing (edited 06-07-2001).]