Fungus on Toenail

Updated on August 15, 2009
S.H. asks from El Cerrito, CA
5 answers

Hi Mamas,

I have a toe that has fungus. It seems to continue to get worse. Also I am an endurance runner, so the worse it gets, the thicker and more raised it gets, causing a lot of pain (because the toe nail is raised up very high and hitting my shoe). Eventually it turns black and I lose my toe nail. This has been a continous patern. I thought that once I lost the toe nail the fungus would be gone since it would have no where to live, but nope it came back worse when the toe nail grew back. Also it is impossible to cut because it is so thick. I have tried a lot of topical treatments (vicks, tea tree oil and fungus topical solutions). Nothing seems to work. I will not take medication, nor have I heard that works either. Any other ideas? I am desperate to get rid of this. Thank you!!

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T.H.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi S.,

It can be painful simply because of the mass pushing into your delicate skin. Skin that's usually protected by a toenail. :)

Regarding cutting it, this sounds kind of random, try using dog nail clippers. If that doesn't work you may want to invest in an electric nail file and you can file it down. If the fungus is coming from under the nail try to clean away as much of this as you can after showers when it's soft. It's uncomfortable and a little gross but eventually the fungus is at least a little under control and your nail should eventually become more flat. From what I understand about nail fungus, it comes from within which is why the topical treatments aren't working. I've tried them all, none of them have worked and I have lived with bad feet since I was in high school (I long to wear flip flops!). The best I've been able to do is keep it at bay with constant maintenance. I've recently read that hydrogen peroxide can help and I've been trying that for the last 2 weeks (to early to tell if it's helping).

Regarding the medicine, it works for some people and not for others. My father-in-law has nail fungus since high school and tried Lamasil (I think) and it cleared up for years. But, eventually it did come back and from what my Dr. told me, that is common and to be expected. The good news is, it's not nearly as bad now.

So, let me know if you find anything that works. :)

Best,
T.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.H.

answers from San Francisco on

I took the medication, not Lamasil, somthing else and I have no more toe nail fungus. I didn't need to take it that long, 2 rounds of taking the pills for 1 week out of the month. I tried all the topical solutions and they didn't work. They will test your blood before you start the medication and just don't drink while you are taking it.

1 mom found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

My husband had this for years. He finally went to the DR and was given a prescription (I forget what it was?) It took close to a year to completely go away, but it was worth it.
If you're not willing to take medication then you may just have to live with it. But I would at least have a DR look at it because I seem to remember that this is a condition that can get worse and give you other health problems as time goes by.

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J.B.

answers from San Francisco on

My mother has had a nasty toe nail for years. I have two podiatrist in my family. I am pretty sure my bro in law gave her Lamasil and her toe nail looks amazing now. I would make an appointment with the podiatrist.

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S.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Fungus shouldn't be causing pain. Go see the doctor.

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