Nail fungus is the fungal infection of the nail foundation together with the plate underneath the surface of the nail, as well as it is characterized by thickening of toenail together with yellowish discoloration, disfiguring, and splitting. Gradually, the toenail becomes difficult and will get separated from the nail bed. In healthcare terminology, nail fungus is known as "onychomycosis" or "Ringworm of the Nail". Toenail fungus can press against shoes causing pain and irritation. In addition, it can cause social, psychological, and employment related problems. Toenail fungus is caused by three primary groups of organisms that include dermatophytes, yeasts, and non-dermatophyte molds. Roughly ninety % of the toenail fungal infections are triggered by dermatophytes. Around eight % of the cases are due to yeast [Candia albicans non-dermatophyte molds and] infections cause the illness in two % of the instances.
The fungus treatment for toenails is challenging since the infection is embedded within the nail which is tough to achieve. The toenail receives little blood supply and grows slowly. So, medicines along with topical applications used in the treatment for toenail fungus will reach the infected site in little amount which won't be adequate to cure the infection. Hence, the illness responds slowly to the therapy and could use a year or more for complete removal of the signs. Therapy for toenail fungus includes various solutions like pharmacological treatment, surgical treatment, and laser treatment.

Pharmacological Treatment-
This line of treatment includes dental and topical anti fungal medications. Newer dental anti fungal drugs like Itraconazole, Terbinafine have revolutionized the treatment for toenail fungus. As a regular line of therapy for toenail fungus, dental anti-fungal medications are administered for 3 months. Terbinafine is administered daily for 3 months whereas Itraconazole is usually prescribed in pulse doses. Pulse doses means it is administered 7 days in a month for kerassentials hoax - website - 3 months.
These anti fungal drugs produce fewer side effects with few contraindications particularly congestive cardiac failure and liver diseases. Itraconazole need to be avoided along with certain drugs as it interacts with some antibiotics including erythromycin and Certain asthma drugs. About 50 % to seventy five % of the cases respond very well to the dental anti fungal therapies and in 20 to 25 % of the cases toenail fungus is able to recur.
Dental anti fungal therapy mixed with topical and surgical therapies can bring down the duration and unwanted side effects of the oral therapy. In superficial toenail fungal infections, topical anti-fungal agents are advised which include amorolfine, olamine, and ciclopirox. These topical agents are available in the form of nail paints which can be put on to the affected nail.

Laser Treatment-
A noveon style laser is used in the curing for toenail fungus. This laser is also used for some kinds of cataract surgery.

Surgical Treatment-
In medical treatment, nail fungus is removed chemically or surgically. In inorganic removal, about 40-50 % urea compound is employed to remove infected nail. It is a painless procedure that is useful in patients with very thick toenail. Surgical removal of the infected toenail plate on it's own isn't useful. Additional oral anti-fungal medications might be helpful. Combining oral as well as topical anti fungal therapies with surgical treatment increases the effectiveness of the surgical treatment.

Prevention-
Prevention of nail fungus is really important because the recurrence of toenail fungal infections is typical. Don't utilize damp socks, keep the nails dry looking, and don't wear small shoes. Cut the toenail frequently to help keep it short and while cutting the toenail do not push into the corners. Athlete's foot should be treated if not it may cause toenail fungus.