Some nail fungus treatments can consist of polish, creams, and tablets. Nail fungus can be extremely persistent. Topical treatments like lotions and creams can take up to a year to even notice results. Tablets and pills for treating fungus can be risky, with harsh side effects and liver damage possibilities. Although these pills are known to be more effective than ointments, they come with heavier side effects. Tablets require a prescription while creams and polishes can be easily purchased at any neighborhood drug store.

Is polish a good treatment option?

The problem with a lot of polishes is that most polishes are preventative. A lot of people affected by nail fungus face this mistake. They don’t help fungal growth if you’ve already become infected. And the reason creams and ointments fall short of a miracle is because the fungus is living underneath your nail. Creams and lotions go around and over the nail. They are unable to penetrate through the nail to really target the problem fungus.

Are creams a more effective treatment?

There is another common belief commonly heard that by removing the nail and consistently applying any lotions or polishes will remove the fungus. Unfortunately, this is also untrue, due to the nature of the fungus and how infections the fungal spores are, the only way to really kill off any fungus is by using a concentrated heat source set to the appropriate temperature deemed necessary to kill the spores completely. And this can only be done by laser treatment which isn’t covered by insurances due to the belief that this treatment is purely cosmetic.

Your best bet is to meet with one of your local podiatrists and come to the decision what is best for your specific case and what you can afford and how long you’re willing to see results. None of these nail fungus treatments are miracle cures and results will take time, no matter which route you decide to go.

Laser Treatment for Nail Fungus

If you have caught nail fungus as well, it can be easily treated using the FDA-approved PinPointe laser, which typically only takes on treatment. Topical solution and oral medication are not as effective as laser treatment. Topical solutions have a low success rate. This is because the solution does not penetrate all the way under the nail bed. Oral medication has a higher success rate but it can lead to liver toxicity. You would need constant blood tests throughout the medication process.

Our nail doctor in Chicago, IL recommends this treatment. The PinPointe Laser treatment has the highest cure rate in the market. It has no side effects and no recovery period. As a result, you can go about your daily activities right after the treatment. Also, it is not painful.

If you have any signs of nail fungus, call us at (800) 672-0625 or visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 160 locations.