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Vicks Vaporub softens and lightens toenails. This makes it look like the fungus is being treated. Vicks may have some antifungal qualities, but it is unable to penetrate the toenail well enough to cure the infection. Many topical antifungal medications have this issue.
The evidence supporting some home remedies
In that report, 15 of 18 volunteers with fungus-infected toenails had significant improvements, and five had complete eradications of the fungus, after daily applications of Vicks for a year.
There are multiple treatments for toenail fungus, though some are faster than others. The fastest way to eliminate the infection is through toenail laser treatment.
“Applying Vicks VapoRub to fungus-infected toenails can clear up the notoriously hard-to-treat condition. Michigan State University clinicians found that applying the product daily to the infected nail cleared the condition in 32 of 85 patients, though it took anywhere from 5 to 16 months…”
Thick yellow toenails are usually caused by a fungal infection called onychomycosis. This can be irritating or painful. It's less common, but the infection can affect your fingernails as well. Thick yellow toenails can be prevented by taking certain precautions.
When toenails turn yellow, a fungus is usually to blame. This type of fungal infection is so common that you might not even need to see a doctor for treatment. Try an over-the-counter antifungal cream. If your nail is yellow and thick, gently file down the surface so that the drug can reach deeper layers.
The best type of vinegar to treat toenail fungus is apple cider vinegar, a very acidic and strong solution that destroys toenail fungus at the source. To take full advantage of this, mix one cup of apple cider vinegar with at least 2 cups of water – this will dilute the vinegar so that it won't burn your skin.
Antifungal pills also work more quickly than medicine applied to the nails. Taking antifungal pills for two months can cure an infection under the fingernails. Usually three months of treatment cures a toenail fungal infection.
Topical treatment with Vicks VapoRub: The combination of camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol, the three main ingredients in Vicks VapoRub, is believed to stop the growth of certain fungi.
If your fungus doesn't clear up at home, you should check in with a dermatologist (a skin, hair, and nail specialist) or podiatrist (a foot doctor.) They may gently scrape under your nail to get rid of some of the fungus or send it to the lab for diagnosis. They can also prescribe stronger medicines.
Many people pick up the fungi when they have skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a fungal infection such as athlete's foot or ringworm on their hands. Another common way to get a fungal nail infection is by walking barefoot in a warm, moist area such as a pool deck or locker room.
Yellowing of the nail can indicate a fungal infection of the nail, more commonly seen in toenails than fingernails. The discoloration becomes worse with tight-fitting shoes or trauma to the nail plates and can be associated with athlete's foot, as well. The most common fungal infection is from the Trichophyton family.
Unfortunately, thickening toenails are a by-product of aging, in most cases. As we age, our toenails - and fingernails - slow their growth rate, and the nails thicken because the nail cells, called onychocytes, sort of pile up.
Other medical issues – In addition to diabetes, medical issues like tuberculosis (lung infection), bronchiectasis (damaged airways), jaundice (liver disease), psoriasis (skin condition causing scaly patches), and thyroid problems may also cause yellow nails.
Unfortunately, toenail fungus isn't often cured by over-the-counter medicine. It can take multiple months of taking prescription medications to clear up toenail fungus. The two most common fungal subtypes are distal subungual onychomycosis (the most common type) and candida yeast infection.
Vitamin E deficiency may lead to yellow-colored nails. So can many other vitamin deficiencies or conditions. If you have yellow nails, see your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. Yellow nail syndrome is a rare nail disorder.
If they are treated properly, fungal toenail infections typically take several months of treatment to heal. Since the healing properties of fungal nail treatments work as your nail grows, the speed at which your nails grow makes a difference. In general, it takes around 3-6 months to see results.