How long does it take to kill toenail fungus?

Asking how long it takes to get rid of toenail fungus is a bit like asking how long it takes for a snail to run a four-minute mile. In other words, the answer is “it depends.” But fear not, dear reader! We’ve done some research and talked to some experts so we can give you an idea of what you’re in for.

What Is Toenail Fungus?

First things first: let’s make sure we all know what we’re talking about. Toenail fungus (also known as onychomycosis) is a fungal infection that affects the nails on your toes (or fingers, but let’s stick with feet for now). Symptoms include thick, discolored nails that may be brittle or crumbly around the edges (yum, right?).

So How Do You Get Rid of It?

There are several different treatments for toenail fungus, depending on the severity of your infection and your personal preference.

Over-the-Counter Treatments

If you catch your fungus early enough (before it spreads beyond one or two nails), over-the-counter topical antifungal treatments might do the trick. These come in various forms such as creams or nail polishes and typically need to be applied daily for several months (as if you needed another thing on your daily checklist!).

Prescription Medications

For more severe infections, oral medication prescribed by a doctor may be necessary. While these medications tend to have higher success rates than their over-the-counter counterparts (score!), they also often come with side effects such as upset stomachs or liver damage (less exciting score…).

Laser Therapy

In recent years, laser therapy has become an increasingly popular treatment option among those looking to zap their pesky fungi once and for all. Laser therapy is a non-invasive procedure that uses light energy to penetrate the nail and kill the fungus underneath. However, it’s also one of the most expensive treatments out there (yikes!).

Surgery

In extreme cases where the infection has already caused significant damage to your toenail or surrounding tissues, surgery might be necessary. During this procedure, your doctor will remove all affected tissue and either leave you with no toenail or possibly even transplant skin from another part of your body (ouch).

So…How Long Does It Take?

As we mentioned earlier, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Generally speaking though, here are some rough timelines:

• Over-the-counter treatments: Several months
• Prescription medications: 6-12 months
• Laser therapy: 1-3 sessions spread out over several weeks (with results becoming visible after several months)
• Surgery: Recovery can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the extent of the surgery required

It’s important to keep in mind that these are very general estimates and everybody is different (we’re looking at you unique snowflake person!) In some cases, treatment may take longer or shorter than expected based on various factors such as age or overall health.

The good news is if you’re consistent about treating your infection (and have a bit of patience), chances are you’ll start seeing improvement within just a few weeks!

Tips for Speeding Up Treatment

If waiting around for something like two years while “treatment” takes place isn’t an option because those suckers hurt, then consider trying some of these tips and tricks aimed at accelerating your recovery time:

Keep Nails Trimmed Short

Shorter nails create less surface area for fungi to hold onto so keeping nails trimmed short throughout treatment can help prevent reinfection.

Wear Breathable Shoes/Socks

Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments so wearing tight-fitting shoes or socks could slow down the healing process. It’s best to wear breathable options such as sandals or loose-fitting moisture-wicking socks instead (socks with mesh? Hmm).

Don’t Wear Shoes Without Socks

This might not sound like a big deal but continuously exposing your toes and feet to the inside of your shoe can create an environment that slows down healing.

Use Antifungal Powder on Feet

Not only will it help absorb excess moisture, antifungal powders can also fight off any lingering fungi trying to take root in other parts of your foot.

Keep Your Nails Dry and Clean

You’re probably thinking “duh” but making sure nails aren’t constantly exposed to wetness is pretty important when dealing with fungus. Make sure you dry thoroughly after showers or swims, and consider using a hairdryer set on cool if you’re having trouble getting things nice and dry.

In Conclusion…

Dealing with toenail fungus isn’t anyone’s idea of a fun time (unless you’re into icky stuff) but rest assured: there are treatments out there that can help. Whether you opt for OTC creams, prescription medications or even lasers (pew-pew!), sticking patiently to treatment plans should eventually knock those yeasty buggers right outta your nail beds!