Best Practices For Treating Nail Fungus Infections Topically

reveal | Jul 19, 2010 |

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The two main reasons why topical treatments for nail fungus fail are the length of time it takes to fully treat a nail fungus infection and the difficulty in getting the anti fungal medication into direct contact with the fungus in the nail. In this article we explore some best practices to overcome these obstacles and get your nails cured in the most efficient way possible.

Topical treatments contain antifungal medications that are designed to kill the fungus that cause nail infections. But they can only do this if they come into direct contact with the fungus itself. Trouble is, the fungus infecting the nail can reside deep within and underneath the nail. This is especially so in advanced conditions. So before every application, it is vital that you scrape away the surface layers of nail that lie above the fungus. Use a nail file and pass it horizontally to-and fro over the face of the nail.

Then, after application of the nail fungus treatment, allow your nail to completely dry out. You want to give the treatment a chance to absorb and penetrate into the nail. It's often a good idea to apply the nail paint just before bedtime and, once dried, wear socks (assuming of course that you have a toenail fungus rather than a finger nail fungus) to ensure you don't rub the treatment off.

Most treatment times span months of time. To be completely cured of a nail fungus infection you have to wait for a complete nail cycle - about 12 months for toenails and 8 months for fingernails. You'll need to keep applying the treatment regularly (weekly, twice weekly or daily according to the specific instructions that come with the medication) without interruption over this period.

A good way to ensure that you stick to this regime is to set up a tracking process. When you start out sketch a nail shape onto a piece of paper and mark the areas of the nail that are affected by the fungus. Then every month draw a new nail shape and track your progress. Even if day by day you don't see any improvements, as you start to build up the months you'll start seeing changes in the extent of the infection on your nail, which should help keep you motivated to continue with a regular treatment regime.

Most sufferers try and establish a set routine for their treatments. They always apply after their shower at night, or right before brushing their teeth. What ever it is, a routine will help you form a habit making it less likely that you'll miss a treatment.

Remember, if you think of the treatment process as a marathon and not a sprint, you'll do fine.