Nail fungus

[windsurf]

I hate to be the initiator of a thread about groaty nails, but I wonder if anyone has any success in eradicating nail fungus without taking a systemic oral medication. I know that it is effective but I don't like the idea of continuously bathing all my cells in a med in order to kill spores in a toe. On the other hand, i am so anxious to be rid of this loathsome condition that I would probably consent to the nail being pulled out (with anesthesia of course). I have been putting drops of a fungicide on the ugly digit for months and don't seem to be improving the situation. As to the oral med, has anyone taken it with no side effects?

[Patrick]

You mean Lamisil? I took it for a year with no side effects. However, I'm still waiting for my nail to get better . . . .

[windsurf]

Yup; Lamasil is the one I have read about. Has the prescribing doc given any explanation for why it hasn't worked. I thought the course was typically several months but less than a year.

[73ss454]

I took Lamasil for a while and developed bad headaches. Switched to another medicine can't remember the name. My nails cleared up after many months, a year later the fungus was back. What can I say??

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick You mean Lamisil? I took it for a year with no side effects. However, I'm still waiting for my nail to get better . . . .

Glad it was easy and effective for you.

The fungus often returns even when "cured" AND the drugs costs a small fortune . The cure rate is at best 75%.

The more effective drugs nauseate 11% of takers and have a 3% "chemical" hepatitis rate (usually but not always mild). Rash: 9%, headache 4%.

I guess it would be a good bet if you were having pain from the thickened nail interfering with shoes or walking, or if you were a foot model. Most can keep things in check with good nail care. My experience is that the ladies usually opt for treatment despite the above, probably because of open toe shoes and cultural norms. The guys usually say something like, "forget that sh@#."

[Caroline]

Quote:

My experience is that the ladies usually opt for treatment despite the above, probably because of open toe shoes and cultural norms. The guys usually say something like, "forget that sh@#."

Right you are, except that my doctor was the one who said "forget that sh@#." I wanted it, but she convinced me that I shouldn't do it. Nothing wrong with my liver or kidneys or anything, but she just wanted to err on the safe side.

I've heard from MANY people that Vicks VapoRub might do the trick, if you apply it every day for a year or so... I'm not that dedicated, so I don't know.

[Martha]

We were visiting Greg's elderly uncle yesterday, checking up on him. As usual, he was running around his trailer home in his underpants. He also had to take his socks off and show us his toenails. He had the toenails on the big toes removed because they were so groaty and made it hard to put on his shoes. His other nails were still there though. Yuck!

[LOL!]

Here's a treatment that works: Remove nail. Scrape away nail fungus. Keep toe clean and dry while new nail grows back.

[Patrick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOL! Here's a treatment that works: Remove nail. Scrape away nail fungus. Keep toe clean and dry while new nail grows back.

Method for removing nail? Pliers?

[Patrick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by windsurf Yup; Lamasil is the one I have read about. Has the prescribing doc given any explanation for why it hasn't worked. I thought the course was typically several months but less than a year.

No explanation other than it doesn't work in every case. Also, the manufacturer states that it can take up to year for the new, non-infected nail to grow in, so I guess that's their out - "you haven't waited long enough."

[Corporateburnout]

I was prescribed a nail gel "NonyX" by a podiatrist that I was seen for a plantar faciatis (heal) problem. He recommended using it daily for a few months and filing the nail with a heavy duty file once a week. 6 months later the fungus is still there. My family doctor did not recommend Lamisil and told me to deal with it unless it becomes a painfull proposition.

[donheff]

I seriously whacked a nail and as the brusied mess grew out I ended up with a fungus filled "groaty" toe nail for maybe 5 years - soft, yellow, ugh. This was a long time ago so I don't remember the details. At some point, I got a massive injection of penicillin for something (I swear it wasn't an STD) and voila, that nail cleared up. I never had another problem with it.

[dt123]

I did the Lamisil thing. It made me a little queasy for the three months I took it. My toenails looked better for a year and now they look bad again. Not gross or anything, just not nice. Whatever ...

[Khan]

Cut sugar/refined carbs/out of your diet, and start treatment (topical or oral).

Fungus/yeast just love sugar.

[LOL!]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Method for removing nail? Pliers?

The fungus causes the nail to separate from the rest of the toe, so yes, pliers work(s) nicely. To achieve good separation, you gotta cut the nail aggressively often and do a little digging around the edges.

[haha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOL! The fungus causes the nail to separate from the rest of the toe, so yes, pliers work(s) nicely. To achieve good separation, you gotta cut the nail aggressively often and do a little digging around the edges.

So you guys are not only DIY auto mechanics, home remodelers and financial planners, you are also DIY surgeons

Ha

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaHa So you guys are not only DIY auto mechanics, home remodelers and financial planners, you are also DIY surgeons

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Not good. I've seen a few toes and feet lost to posterity from home "care."

[ladelfina]

I had, not a nail fungus exactly, but something that was affecting the top layers of skin just under the nails on most of my fingers and toes. I chalked this up to gardening or generally being in contact with new fungi after moving from the US.

The $$$ oily paint-on fungicide I tried didn't seem to help, so I started blotting my finger- and toe-tips with cider vinegar on a cotton ball (white vinegar would probably work, too, but the cider smelled nicer). Cleared it up completely in just a week or two, and I was not even all that diligent about application (maybe I did this about 5-6 times in all). This may not work in all cases, but I think most kinds of nail fungus don't like an acidic environment.

Worth a try since it costs nearly nothing and no side effects (except smelling a bit like a tossed salad).
Here's hoping for less groady feet!

P.S. I would also try to go around barefoot or in sandals when possible (perhaps not out to dinner at this point!), reapply the vinegar after using soap (which is basic rather than acidic) on your feet, and make sure your socks, when you wear them, are scrupulously clean (i.e., not yesterday's )

[samclem]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Not good. I've seen a few toes and feet lost to posterity from home "care."

10 toes = plenty of redundancy. You'd hardly miss one or two.

I remember my mom taking me to the doc a couple of weeks after smashing my thumb. Blood was pooled up under the nail and hurt a lot. He did "paperclip surgery": Opened up a paperclip, heated it over a flame, and melted through the nail. The blood/etc jetted out and my thumb felt better immediately (the nail fel off a while later). This made several impressions on this 8 YO boy:
-- "Wow, cool!"
-- "Hey, I could have done that myself"

To preserve the sanctity of medical trade secrets/decorum, doctors really shouldn't let patients see this kind of thing directly, and they should use some kind of $5000 instrument to perform the procedure.

[crazy connie]

I kept my tootsies done up red for quite a while and then noticed a yellowish hue and thickening. Stopped the polish and began using Rubbing Alcohol or Hydrogen Peroxide on a cotton ball after the morning rain room dance. It took a while to grow out, but the difference was noticeable within about 3 or 4 weeks as I recall. Only affected my big toes. Now when I paint up (the toes) it is only left on for a week then back to nude.