What Kills Toenail Fungus The Fastest? (2024)

Posted 13 Nov

Overview: this article is for you if you’ve struggled to treat a fungal nail infection, if pharmacy lacquers and ointmentsaren’t working (they don’t work for most people with notable infections), and if you want to find out what your options thathave proven results to help you have much healthier, clearer nails come summer.

There’s a reason why finding fixes, cures and solutions to fungal nail infections is a very popular search term online. Fungaltoenails are a big problem, and it’s also unlike any other problem that we treat as podiatrists.

Nail Fungus Is Stubborn

The good news is that’s exactly what our podiatrists do at our Brisbane clinics.

What Kills Nail Fungus?

There are a few options available on the market, so we’ll explain a little about each one so you know what you’d be in for - andwhat to avoid.

Hot laser treatment

Like the name suggests, hot lasers produce a heating effect on the nail and any surface that the laser light comes into contact with. Thenails are heated to approximately 46-48 degrees - high enough to damage the fungal cells. Your practitioner applies the laser to your nailsthemselves, typically heating the nail until you reach your capacity for heat discomfort and let them know to stop. This is actually one ofthe reasons that hot lasers are contraindicated in those with diabetes, as with diabetes, you tend to lose sensation in your feet, whichrisks the laser getting to the point of ‘burning’ you without your body registering that sensation. Not until it’s toolate, anyway. This can create burns which can turn into ulcers.

Hot laser has a mixed bag of results when you look at the studies. These range from cure rates of 33%, to “good treatmentoutcomes” in 72% of nails treated, where the actual cure rate was only 9.3%. The largest efficacy review of hot lasers included 4278infected nails, and produced a total cure rate of 63%. Other studies have reported a 0% mycological cure after 12 months, which may beattributed to a high rate of re-infection during this time.

Nail fenestration treatment

Nail fenestration is an interesting one, with several devices currently on the market that can carry out the procedure. Nail fenestrationinvolves drilling very small holes all through the nail. This allows the ointments that you put on your nails to reach deeper intothe nail, better reach all the fungal spores, and so have better results for successfully treating nail fungus.

There have thankfully been major advances with nail fenestration in recent years which means that it no longer needs to be a manualprocedure vulnerable to user error when knowing how deep to drill the holes (ouch). Now, there are machines that intuitively know when tostop by being able to detect when it reaches the end of the nail layer. Phew!

Studies show that nail fenestration can improve the delivery of the anti-fungal ointments by up to three or four times. It stilldoes, however, largely rely on the ointment, and being careful with consistent regular application. You also can’t wear any nailpolish or do anything that may close the holes as this can invalidate the treatment.

PACT: Photodynamic Antimicrobial Therapy

PACT is the treatment we choose to offer our patients, because we believe that it has the best of everything - it’s easy for ourpatients, it doesn’t have any discomfort or risks, and it’s shown to be much more effective.

PACT uses the power of light paired with a special blue dye painted on the nails that magnifies the sensitivity of all the fungus in thearea. This interaction creates photochemical reactions that then destroy the fungal cells, eliminating the fungus. The light is not hot, andin the studies, no adverse (negative) events have been reported. Yay!

Our results in the clinic speak volumes, with so many people achieving healthy and clear nails, even if they’ve previously tried othertreatments with no luck. In terms of studies:

• Baltazar et al. 2015 reported that patients who were unresponsiveto other standard treatments, including oral antifungals responded to PACT.
  
• Figueiredo Souza et al. 2014 reported that PACT had a 100%success rate for mild to moderate and a 63.5% success rate for severe onychomycosis infections.
  

It’s safe to say that we are big fans of PACT treatment, and it quickly became our #1 leading (and preferred) treatment for fungalnail infections by our patients. You can read more about PACTand how it works here,including what a typical appointment looks like. If you have any questions about PACT or any other antifungal treatment, please feel free tocontact our team. We’re here to help!

FAQs

Can you get rid of toenail fungus permanently?

Yes - when you treat toenail fungus effectively, then you can permanently get rid of that nail fungus. The caveat is that yournails can become reinfected in the future. Maintaining good foot hygiene and preventive measures can help reduce the chances ofrecurrence.

Think of it like breaking a window by throwing a ball at it. You can repair the window (and throw out the ball) so that it’s as goodas new. But that doesn’t stop someone throwing a new ball at the window and breaking it again in the future.

Can you just remove a toenail with fungus?

While this isn’t our go-to as a first treatment, in severe cases or as a last resort, your podiatrist may discuss removing theaffected nail, either partially or completely. Removing the nail allows direct treatment of all the fungal spores (including those beneaththe nail) and gives a new, healthy nail the chance to grow back. Other precautions will also need to be taken that your podiatrist willdiscuss with you to help prevent reinfection in the future.

What worsens toenail fungus?

Several factors can worsen toenail fungus, including:

• Damp, sweaty environments as they promote fungal growth.
  
• Tight or non-breathable shoes that trap moisture and restrict airflow, creating an ideal environment for fungus
  
• Stopping antifungal treatment too soon or using it inconsistently can allow the fungus to thrive.
  
• Not washing and drying feet properly, especially after exposure to moist environments.
  
• Injuries to the nail can create entry points for the fungus.
  
• Sharing shoes or nail instruments can spread the fungus from one person to another. Always use personal, sterilised nail care tools.
  

Can toenail fungus cause permanent damage to the nail?

If left untreated, toenail fungus can cause thickening, distortion, and permanent damage to the nail. It may also cause the nail to separatefrom the nail bed. While these effects can’t be reversed, if you treat the infection then your nail can grow out healthy and clear.

Why do some people get toenail fungus more easily than others?

Nail fungus thrives in warm, moist environments, and some people naturally have sweatier feet or spend more time in environments where thefungus can spread (like gyms or pools). Factors like age, weakened immune system, diabetes, or previous nail injuries also increasesusceptibility.

Can nail fungus affect my overall health?

Related News