A 39-year-old member asked:
How do you get rid of toenail fungus?
15 doctor answers • 20 doctors weighed in

Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 34 years experience
Medicine prescribed: For treatment of toenail fungus, a primary care doctor or a dermatologist (skin doctor) can evaluate and start medication. Often, a culture (sample of the fungus) is taken to be tested at the lab. Oral anti-fungals are used. Sometimes, the dermatologist or podiatrist (foot doctor) will remove the bad toenail to let a new one grow in. Some podiatrists are using a laser to treat toenail fungus.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Arnold Bereshanswered
Podiatry 42 years experience
Several ways: There are manytopical remedies, there is prescription antfungal memdication to take as a pill, thre is laser therapy.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ettingeranswered
Podiatry 50 years experience
At: My office we treat fungal nails with oral medication and we use laser which we find very effective.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Adam Ringleranswered
Podiatry 19 years experience
Toenail fungus: Toenail fungus is very difficult to treat and there is nothing that works 100% of the time. I usually described for possible treatment options to my patients:
#1 topical creams and polish
#2 removal of nail
#3 oral antifungal medications, which may affect the liver and need to be monitored
#4 laser nail treatment.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Ronan Monsefanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Medication: There are many over the counter products that quite honestly don't work too well. The most effective treatment is usually prescription antifungals that are taken orally.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged

Dr. Morris Westfriedanswered
Dermatology 47 years experience
Lamisil, (terbinafine) laser: Lamisil (terbinafine) can be conpunded with DMSO and use topically as a prescription to avoid oral medications. Oral lamisl is about 58 effective and not in extensive cases. Lasers are now available which can reduce nail fungus including the sciton.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged

Dr. Alex Garciaanswered
Podiatric surgery 22 years experience
Three options: There are three main treatment options for toenail fungus. The first option is an oral medication. The tablets although highly effective do have some possible side effects and consequences. Direct doctor supervision is needed. The second option is laser treatment. This option is also highly effective, in my experience, without any significant side effect. The third option is a topical medication.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged

Dr. Morris Westfriedanswered
Dermatology 47 years experience
Lamisil, (terbinafine) laser: Oral Lamisil (terbinafine) taken over 3 months can clear toenail fungus. Tg more extensive the fungus the less responsive. Blood needs to be monitored during treatment for possible liver toxicity. Topical 2 per cent Lamisil (terbinafine) in dmsocan penetrate the nail without systemic side effects. New laser treatment may clear nail fungus but it is unclear whether results will last long term.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged

Dr. Arnold Bereshanswered
Podiatry 42 years experience
Many ways to try: There is no sure fire method.
Treatments include everything from topical medication, to oral anti-fungal medication, to new laser treatment.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged

Dr. Alex Garciaanswered
Podiatric surgery 22 years experience
Three options: There are three main treatment options for toenail fungus. The first option is an oral medication. The tablets although highly effective do have some possible side effects and consequences. Direct doctor supervision is needed. The second option is laser treatment. This option is also highly effective, in my experience, without any significant side effect. The third option is a topical medication.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged

Dr. Randy Lischanswered
Podiatry 39 years experience
Multiple answers: The most effective treatment is with the use of a laser. Oral medications work sometimes, but you have to be monitored with blood tests on a regular basis. Any topical medication, Vicks rub, vinegar, clorox soaks, teatree oil, are virtually ineffective. See a podiatrist that offers all of the above choices.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged

Dr. Howard Foxanswered
Podiatry 43 years experience
The most effective: Treatment for toenail fungus is oral lamisil, (terbinafine) which has recently been shown to be much safer than we used to think. The fda recently dropped the blood test requirement on this. Also, pulse therapy has been shown to have the same cure rate, where you only need to take 14 pills in 6 months instead of 1 pill a day for 3 months.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged

Dr. David Sabetanswered
Podiatry 43 years experience
Prepare for war: There are only two effective methods to kill the fungus responsible for the infection. Either have laser treatment or a 90+ day course of Lamisil (terbinafine) tablets. Each has its own pros and cons but none of the over the counter or home remedies will work.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged

Dr. Alex Garciaanswered
Podiatric surgery 22 years experience
Three options: There are three main treatment options for toenail fungus. The first option is an oral medication. The tablets although highly effective do have some possible side effects and consequences. Direct doctor supervision is needed. The second option is laser treatment. This option is also highly effective, in my experience, without any significant side effect. The third option is a topical medication.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged

Dr. Libby Putnamanswered
Podiatry 13 years experience
Several treatments.: The reason you hear so many different treatments for toenail fungus is because there is no perfect, sure-fire treatment that works 100% of the time. I've seen vaporub work, as well as other natural oil remedies, but rarely. You can also try laser therapy, antifungal creams, paints, or even oral medications if your doctor deems you healthy enough to take them.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Similar questions
A 41-year-old member asked:
How to get rid of toenail fungus for good?
4 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Michael Fisheranswered
Dermatology 33 years experience
Toenail fungus: To treat nail fungus, your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication. Studies have shown the most effective treatments to be terbinafine (lamisil) and itraconazole (sporanox). There are also topical medications like formula 3 which has a money back guarantee.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
How can I get rid of a bad toenail fungus?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. David Hettingeranswered
Podiatry 37 years experience
Many ways...: Topical solutions, oral medications, laser treatments, surgical removal, homeopathic remedies, etc. The most used treatment is oral Lamisil (terbinafine) tablets once daily for 90 days. See a podiatrist for what may be best for your specific needs and expectations.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
How can home remedies get rid of toenail fungus?
4 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in

Dr. Steven Charlapanswered
Holistic Medicine 38 years experience
Usually can't; depen (penicillamine): Other than for a very isolated area of the nail, homemade remedies usually don't work as it takes at least six months for the nail to grow without exposure to nail fungus to stay clean. Even when treated with medication, the fungus often returns. New laser treatments can offer some cosmetic improvement, but usually don't completely eradicate the fungus.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
NJ
A 35-year-old member asked:
What is the best way to get rid of toenail fungus?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Chris Hawleyanswered
Family Medicine 25 years experience
Toe nail fungus : Stubborn problem! usually requires prescription anti fungal pills for 12 weeks, though i've had some patients had success with clorox bleach pens painted on the nails each night.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
I have a toenail fungus (onychomycosis) - how can I get rid of it?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Mary Ellen Luchettianswered
Dermatology 36 years experience
Oral meds: Toenail fungus needs oral medication to get rid of it from 3 to 6 months. Lamisil, (terbinafine) sporonox, or Diflucan orally are the tretments depending on what fungus or yeast is growing from a culture taken from under the toenails.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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