How is onychomycosis cured?

See a dermatologist: Pill for toenail fungus for 3 months, for fingernail 6 weeks. Expect it to work more than 60 %. Hope to see normal finger in 6 m0nths, toenail in 12 months. Lamasil cost $1200 , but now generic terbinafine costs $10 at wallmart. It is very safe but prudent to do blood tests at 6 weeks.

Laser Treatment: The newest and most effective way to cure onychomycosis is with a laser. The treatment is painless and has no side effects. Oral medications have a similar rate of cure, but can have adverse effects on the liver and kidneys. See your podiatrist or your local toenail laser center to find out if you are a candidate for this treatment.

Terbinafine: Laser treatment is not covered by insurance & costs over $1000. Even if it works, it will take 12 to 18 months to see the result. Terbinafine costs $10 cash without needing insurance. Toxicity from terbinafine is very unusual. Most people will have no side effects. Fungus infections involving dermatophytes involve only non-vital tissues such as hair, nails, and the outer surface of the skin. They.

Terbinafine: A nail is not a living tissue: it cannot repair itself. When the pill works it is in the new nail as it forms. It slows the growth of many dermatophyte fungi so the nail will grow out faster than the microorganism can grow in. Thus it takes 12 to 18 months to get a normal nail. If a laser kills the fungus it still takes a year to see a new toenail. Cost is $1000 for laser not covered by ins.