For the first time in my life I have developed toenail fungus and I am not happy about it.
I can not imagine why it happened b/c I always take care to bathe and dry my feet well.
I heard that tea tree oil was a good treatment for this problem, but it is not working. Does anyone else have other recommendations?
Also, is there any connection between Lyme, co-infections and tonenail fungus?
Posted by Ivy (Member # 18365) on :
My friend is using apple cider vinegar and soaking 20 - 30 minutes twice daily.
She says her toenail fungus is improving but not completely better yet.
Posted by cs (Member # 15270) on :
I'm having the same problem, and have been trying tea tree oil and some over the counter stuff, with a little improvement, but it's slow. My llmd suggested using the tea tree oil and wrapping it in a bit of saran wrap to give it a chance to soak through the toenail, still need to try that.
Then I heard an ad on the radio for some medical clinics that use laser treatment to get rid of it, so now I am tempted to try that instead for a quick fix. http://www.barefootlasercenters.com - this place is in CA, but there might be someplace similar near you. Might be worth a try..
Posted by springshowers (Member # 19863) on :
My doctor prescribed Ciclopirox. You paint it on like nail polish.
You got to stay at it consistently and I also use tea tree oil.
My problem is that once I make good progress I stop trying to hard and that little amount left grows quickly.
Posted by kellyjk4 (Member # 19731) on :
Wow - I just developed this in the last few months!
Is this yet another lyme related thing or all we just really unlucky?
I haven't been to dr for it, but I read that putting Vicks on it helps.
I tried it, without much success - my toenail is blue now.
Posted by DeniseNM (Member # 11182) on :
Along with the toenail fungus, I had an overgrowth of yeast in my gut (and the rest of me, I suppose). So we treated with fluconazole for that and the toenails cleared up - took a year, but at least I can wear flip flops now!
Posted by Starfall1969 (Member # 17353) on :
Yeah, I've had that for years.
I've tried various things for it too, and nothing seems to work very well.
Tea tree oil is good, but slow.
I haven't heard about vinegar, but I did hear that if you soak in Listerine daily it will clear it up too.
I know I always see those stuupid Lamisil commercials, with that little beasty thing taking over under the toenail.
When I looked up Lamisil online, there were all these warnings about liver damage, etc.
I figured I'd rather live with the fungus...
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
My husband took sporonax for it.
It works against yeast too.
Just have to watch liver enzyme levels on it.
I took sporonax for yeast once or twice.
His toenails cleared. He has Lyme.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
It's very difficult to get rid of toenail fungus with topical products. You have it because of toxins being released from within the body, therefore you need an oral prescription to get rid of it.
It's very persistent and difficult to get rid of.
You need to see a podiatrist as they will scrape away any black stuff and treat the toe nail, etc, and usually they put you on lamasil. Topical products will help if you are on a prescription medication but very rarely will a topical product fully resolve it on it's own.
Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
quote:Originally posted by Abxnomore: It's very difficult to get rid of toenail fungus with topical products. You have it because of toxins being released from within the body, therefore you need an oral prescription to get rid of it.
Wow! That explains it! I developed this problem about a month after starting abx.
Thank you for the explanation. Posted by lymewreck36 (Member # 4395) on :
Sporonox is the best fungal treatment for toenails,, but it takes a long time.
To increase effetiveness of ANY treatment, do the following:
GEt a foot file with a rough and a soft side. Use the soft side to file down the toe nail as much as possible, thinning the surface. Keep the nail thin and trimmed as short as possible.
This give the fungas less area to work in, and enables medications to penetrate under the nail bed better.
Worked miracles for my funal nails!
Mary
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
A good podiatrist will do all the work you described on the required toenails with the proper knowledge and tools and with follow up to maintain proper treatment.
Toenail fungus is very difficult to get rid of. It's a very long process and he/she will know the right anti-fungal to use. I've always known lamasil to be the first choice but given that it is so resistant I'm sure they use others, such as Sporonox.
Posted by paulieinct (Member # 17514) on :
I got rid of mine with 20-minute daily soaks in very hot water to which I dumped LOTS of epsom salts. After about 6 weeks, went to every other night. Then maybe twice a week. Within a few months, it appears to be gone. A natural remedy which WORKS.
I had tried the Lamisil Rx, it did not work.
Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
paulieinct,
I had been wondering if Epsom salts might work for me too. I have been debating whether or not to try them, but it was just something I "thought up" myself not realizing it was an actual treatment.
I will go ahead and try that remedy beginning today.
Others suggested filing my nails and keeping them clipped short. I have started doing that as well.
I appreciate all the input and ideas everyone has offered.
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