Toenail fungus - does it ever go away?

[NeedyLimeMember]

Sorry - I know it's a bit grim....
So I had a toenail fungus for a couple of years and after treatment off for ages (because £20 for a tiny bottle of treatment?!) and a couple of half-assed attempts, I really committed to treating it back in June. Bought a highly rated product and applied 2-3 times a day. Because the nail was so crumbly and the nail bed damaged I was able to cut the nail right down to almost nothing, and put the stuff on the nail bed. At times I thought I was seeing an improvement but now I'm not so sure. Today I've realised one of my big toes also has fungus and I'm just feeling like I'm fighting a losing battle.
Has anyone successfully managed to get rid of bad toenail fungus? Or is it just something loads of us have and put up with? Advice appreciated!

Our GP recommended Potassium Permanganate to DH and it worked.

I used a OTC nail treatment which promptly 'burnt' my toes, they got infected, 2 lots of antibiotics later still got horrible nails!

My DS is currently on an oral anti fungus tablet from the GP it's apparently very strong and he needs blood tests every 4 weeks to monitor his liver function whilst on them. He has it on every nail and has had it for several years despite almost constant topical treatment.

Just looked it up - it's a lot cheaper than the products specifically marketed for TF. Thanks so much for the tip!!

I went on the pills that have to be prescribed. They’re supposed to be bad for your liver but i didn’t have any issues and after many years of trying it actually worked. Had to faff about with blood tests beforehand but it was worth it for me.

Tea tree oil twice a day with a cotton bud sorted mine out. It took a few months, but it worked and hasn’t cone back.

The best treatment is oral terbinafine. This gets rid of the infection completely if the dosing regime is strictly followed.

However, some GPs are reluctant to prescribe it because ;-
a) it is expensive and needs a course of treatment lasting a couple of months
b) it can cause liver problems. While engaging in a course of treatment it is important to have the liver function monitored regularly, and
c) it's regarded as a "cosmetic" treatment. You can substitute a liquid that you paint on but it isn't so effective.

I wouldn't risk liver problem for toenail fungus. I'm not surprised GPs are reluctant to prescribe it, I'm more surprised that any do.

I second tea tree oil, it worked really fast for me.

DH fixed his by putting TCP on every night after his shower. Not a great smell wafting around the house 😟☺️

Terbinafine was the onlything that worked

Made me feel terrible though

Some OTC anti-fungals work for a while before the infection comes back. It's usually best to have a culture taken so the doctor can give you the exact medication you need to get rid of it for good.

I think the difference here is you found tea tree oil worked for you so can't see why others would risk the side effects of oral medication.

Whilst those who have tried everything under the sun for multiple years and have horrific toe nail fungus on every toe (spread to finger nails at one point) think maybe the risk of side effects which are carefully monitored may be worth it.

I stopped wearing nail varnish completely and that seemed to help a bit, just got it on one nail now (middle toe)

I had a similar experience, had toe nail fungus, tried everything, spent a fortune. Finally went to the GP, they prescribed Terbinafine, also had to have liver tests but no issue. It disappeared completely and has not come back.

Terbinafine is rhe only thing thy worked for me, took it a few years ago after jumping through a few hoops at the doctors. Sending in clippings, waiting 6 weeks for results, having a blood test….the finally got rhe medication and i5 worked brilliantly! Mo OH is now going down the same route as our chiropodist says it’s the only solution now…

Vicks vapour rub is meant to be good

I had it for a few years. Tried literally everything. Numerous visits to the GP who kept advising/prescribing all kinds of creams etc. Nothing worked. He eventually relented and prescribed Terbinafine which cleared it up in a couple of months, no side effects at all.

I had an infection that had lasted five years. I used a mixture of half tea tree oil and half olive oil, painted on twice a day. I let my nail be uncovered almost all the time ( mostly the summer) and stopped all sugar. It disappeared in six months and has never returned.

Sorry you went through that, yes I was thinking more of two nails that were problematic for me.

Another one who tea tree oil worked for. I'd been paying for a really expensive treatment which had almost worked twice. Became skint, saw tea tree recommended on here, tried it and it worked.

It's a bloody nightmare to get rid of. Even when you think it's gone, you have to keep one with the treatment. Newest thing I've heard of is Mykored. Maybe worth a try.

I think I will get some tea tree oil for my toenail that won't clear, is it any particular sort.

With tea tree oil, do you apply it to the upper surface of the nail? And should you file the upper surface as well?

I used curanail for years, but it never really went. I got an electric nail file and ground the two affected nails right down, one last dab of curanail and it hasn't come back!

Nine of my toenails have it, and have for nearly twenty years. I took Terbinafine at one point but when I stopped it came back. I’ve given up and just cover them up as much as possible.