subject: How To Choose Nail Fungus Medications [print this page] Nail fungus medications are not difficult to look for today. There are several products in the market that you can choose from. Of course, that is not to say that all of these products are effective. It is therefore important to choose the right one. A doctor can often diagnose a fungal nail infection just by evaluating the nail. However, it can be hard to tell apart the common dermatophytes from the less-typical causes of the infection. This is essential in that some medications work only for dermatophytes while others are successful with Candida albicans.
Nail abnormalities may be caused by several other factors aside from plain fungus infection. Psoriasis of the nail, for instance, is commonly misdiagnosed as a fungal infection. At times a clinician will cut a small part of the infected nail and have the debris assessed microscopically. This, together with culture, will often determine the diagnosis.
Keep in mind that it could take few to several months for a nail to grow out, so it may take a considerable amount of time for an infected nail to become normal again. Fingernail infections are medicated for a minimum of 6 weeks, while toenail infections are medicated for a minimum of 12 weeks.
Usually, nail fungus medications can have a negative effect on the liver, so if administered for over 6 weeks, your health care provider should assess your liver function. Moreover, nail fungus drugs can interact with other oral treatments and should be utilized with caution or even avoided altogether. This is usually the problem of taking conventional medications for nail fungus.
Kinds of Treatments
Oral anti fungal medications are usually available in pill form, and often call for a prescription to obtain. The problem with oral medications is that they can negatively affect the liver. On the other hand, there are topical medications available. These include creams, nail lacguers and several natural cures such as apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil and hydrogen peroxide.
If you have an option, its always best to stay away from prescription drugs whenever possible. Not only does this save you money but it also prevents side effects associated with the medication. Fortunately, there are now numerous natural alternatives to conventional anti fungal drugs, such as all-natural topical treatments. There are several advantages to topical treatments. For one, they are very accessible, and can be found over the counter and even online. You do not need a prescription and you can order in the convenience of your own home. Secondly, you run a very low risk of having any serious side effects. Finally, they are easy on the wallet, and are usually equally effective as conventional medications.
Because the infection often develops very deep within the nails, it is often difficult to treat. A lot of treatments are not able to reach portions that are deep. Nail fungus sufferers should be familiar with ingredients that are able to penetrate deep enough into the nail bed. The great thing about natural nail fungus medications is that the body easily absorbs a lot of them. The more natural the ingredients, the easier the body can take them.
Natural treatment is another alternative to treating nail fungus. When searching for nail fungus medications, its always a good idea to go for natural treatments essentially because they are more affordable, effective and safer.
