Article: Often topical therapies can't fully eradicate fungus and you will need an oral antifungal medication to get rid of the infection. These drugs, including terbinafine (Lamisil) and itraconazole (Sporanox) can help a new, infection-free nail grow, replacing the areas with nail fungus.  Take this treatment for six to 12 weeks. Be aware that it may take four months or longer to kill the infection.  Understand you may have side effects including skin rash and liver damage. Speak to your doctor about other medical conditions before taking oral antifungals. Cutting your nails and thinning them out can help relieve pain and pressure on your nails and nail beds. This can also help any treatment more easily penetrate and heal the infection.  Soften nails before trimming or thinning them. You can do this by applying urea cream to the affected nails and covering it with a bandage and then washing off the product in the morning. Use this procedure until the nails soften.  Protect the area around your nail with petroleum jelly. Some studies have found that rubbing Vicks VapoRub on nail fungus may help treat it. Apply a thin layer of the product every day to help kill nail fungus.  Use a cotton swab to apply the VapoRub to your nail.  Put the product on at night and leave it on overnight. Wipe it off in the morning. Repeat the process until the infection subsides. There is some evidence that alternative herbal remedies may help treat nail fungal infections. Two herbal remedies that may kill nail fungus and keep it at bay are:  Snakeroot extract, which comes from the sunflower family. Apply every third day for one month, twice a week the following month, and once a week for a third month. Tea tree oil. Apply twice a day until the fungus disappears. If you notice white or yellow markings or patches on your nails, apply an over-the-counter or prescription nail cream or ointment. For more severe cases, have your doctor prescribe a medicated cream. This may help nip the infection in the bud before it spreads or gets more serious.  File off the surface of the nail, soak the affected area in water and dry it before applying the treatment.  Follow packaging and doctor’s instructions to most effectively kill the infection. Your doctor may suggest applying a medicated polish to your affected nails. This can help kill the infection and prevent fungus from spreading. This must be done consistently for months to have any effect.  Apply ciclopirox (Penlac) to your nails once a day for a week and then remove and repeat the polish.  It make take a year of this type of treatment to control the fungus. Severe fungal infections may require more invasive treatments. Speak to your doctor about other procedures such as nail removal or laser therapies to help kill your nail fungus.  Your doctor may want to remove your nail if the fungus is particularly severe. In this case, a new nail may grow back within a year.  Some studies have shown that laser and light-based therapies can help treat nail fungus, either alone or in conjunction with other medication. Be aware that these therapies may not be covered by insurance and are expensive. You can help prevent the spread or re-infection by nail fungus if you take prophylactic steps to minimize risk of the condition. Adopting the following habits can help minimize your risk for nail fungus:  Keep hands and feet clean and nails short and dry Wear absorbent socks Wear shoes that promote ventilation Get rid of old shoes Apply antifungal spray or powder inside of shoes Avoid picking skin around the nails Wear shoes in public spaces Remove nail polish and artificial nails Wash your hands and feet after touching an infected nail
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Take oral antifungal medications. Trim and thin your nails. Apply Vicks VapoRub. Try herbal remedies. Use creams and ointments. Paint your nails with medicated polish. Consider other procedures. Prevent nail fungus.