Should I treat nail fungus with a prescription drug or a natural remedy

Recommended treatments for nail fungus: ZetaClear : Funginix : Amoils

The most common fungal infection that affects the fingernails and toenails is caused by a microorganism called dermatophytes.  The fungus enters through a cut or abrasion or weakening of the nail bed and then begins to feed on the keratin the nail is made causing fungus nail symptoms. 

Discoloration of the nail is usually one of the first signs of a nail fungus infection; whitish to yellow or brown are the more common color effects.  As the infection deepens the nail can appear green, brown or black and the surface of the nail will thicken and become misshapen. 

Many people tend to treat the infection fungus nail by covering it with nail polish.  Covering a fungal infection is not the same as treating nail fungus. 

Treatments should begin as soon as the fungus is detected and continued until a cure is reached. 

Treating the fungal infection with a natural remedy is generally a better option than a prescription drug and if treatment is begun early and combined with proper grooming and prevention methods is very effective.

As you wonder how to treat nail fungus, it is imperative that while using the treatments you also practice good hygiene and prevention. 

Grooming practices such as keeping your nails clean, trimmed and filed will help keep nail fungus from spreading and encourage healthy growth which will allow the fungus to grow out quicker. 

Preventing further infection by avoiding nail salons, avoiding irritation and trauma to the nail will also help in the process.  Always wear clean dry cotton socks with comfortable shoes or wear open toe shoes. 

Wear a sandal or protective water shoe at public pools or gyms where fungal infections are more probably.  Finally you must be very consistent with your treatments until the nail fungus is completely gone and the chances of re-infestation are lessened.

Finally, your treatment whether prescription or natural should continue without missing any treatments following the prescript recommendations or the natural remedy recommendations. 

Natural remedies, when sought early are as effective as prescription in most cases and will not have the harmful side effects that are common with prescription treatments.  Tea tree oil mixed with lavender essential oil is one of the more common and effective home remedies used. 

The tea tree oil’s antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal and antiseptic qualities combine with the protecting and healing qualities of the lavender oil to provide effective healing.  This treatment can be rubbed into the affected nail twice a day and continued for six months or up to a year. 

The process can be sped up if the nail is soaked in either apple cider vinegar or Listerine mouth wash for 20 minutes a day.  Other natural treatments can be found over the counter or online.

Fungal infections protect themselves under the nail making it hard to reach and hard to cure and therefore maintaining a treatment plan for up to a year is often necessary.  Taking multi-vitamins and eating a healthy diet will contribute to a cure as it will encourage healthy growth and strength of the nail allowing the infected nail to grow out once the spread is halted with treatment.

Which type of nail fungus treatment work for all types of infection?