Toenail Fungus Treatments

Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD on September 21, 2022
Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
3 min read

Do you need to treat your nail fungus? Maybe it doesn't hurt, and the yellow, thick nails don't bother you.

But nail fungus doesn't go away by itself. And if you don't treat it, there's a chance it could get worse. It could spread to other nails or through your body. It could cause pain when you walk.

There are a number of ways to take care of it, including:

Nonprescription options. You can buy antifungal creams, gels, and nail polish at the store and online without a prescription. You might want to try one of them first if the infection doesn't look bad. Some people also swear by home remedies like menthol rub, tea tree oil, mouthwash, or snakeroot extract -- but studies show mixed results.

Prescription polish and creams. Your foot doctor will likely trim your nail and file away its dead layers. They may also take a piece of your nail and send it to the lab to make sure it’s really a fungus and to find out what type it is.

The doctor might suggest an antifungal drug that you paint on your nails. This may work on its own, or they may suggest you take it with antifungal pills.

Prescription medications. One of several antifungal pills may help. They work, but it may take many months to do the job. They also come with side effects like nausea, vomiting, and headaches. They may cause liver damage too, so your doctor will watch you closely while you take them. Be sure to tell them about any other meds you’re taking -- some antifungal pills might not work well with them.

Nail removal. If the infection is deep and you’ve had it for a while, your doctor may want to remove all or part of your nail. A new nail usually grows back, but it might take a year or so. While it's coming back, your doctor will likely give you a cream or other treatment to put on your nail bed to keep fungus away.

Laser treatment. You might have success getting your toenails zapped with targeted lasers. Several types of lasers are used. There isn't a lot of research on them, and the results are mixed. Laser treatment isn’t covered by insurance, though, and it can cost a lot.

Sometimes it’s possible to treat your toenail fungus at home. You can try:

  • Over the counter antifungal creams or ointments. File or cut off any white markings on your nails. Soak your nails in water and dry off before you put on the medicated cream.
  • Special nail care. If you keep your nails trimmed, it can reduce the pressure and pain you feel. You can also thin your nail bed by filing it down. This can help antifungal creams get to the problem easier.

Here are some things to think about when deciding on a nail fungus treatment.

If you have a disease like diabetes, your doctor will make sure you treat nail fungus. This illness often makes you more likely to have other problems from minor foot issues.

You may not be able to take antifungal pills because of side effects or because they don’t work well with other drugs you take. If that's the case, try a product that goes onto your nail. Your doctor will call this a topical treatment.

Be patient. Your nails may not look "normal" after treatment. It can take as long as a year to 18 months for your nail to grow out a fungus.

There's a chance the infection can come back -- even if you get rid of it. So take these simple steps to help prevent that:

  • Keep your feet clean and dry.
  • Wear shower shoes in public pools, bathrooms, and locker rooms -- and even in your own bathroom.
  • Change your shoes and socks every day.
  • Wear ones that breathe and don't fit too tight.
  • Trim your nails short and straight across.
  • See your doctor if you think your fungus has come back.
  • Wash your hands and feet regularly.
  • Wear shoes that let your feet breathe.
  • Throw away old shoes or treat them with disinfectants and antifungal powders.
  • Be sure your nail salon sanitizes nail tools.
  • Don’t use nail polish or artificial nails.