Home > Conditions / Ailments > Toenail Fungus / Fingernail Fungus > General Toenail Fungus Information A fungal infection of the toenails often results from a chronic athlete’s foot infection in our youthful years. As we grow older, the athlete’s foot problem may disappear, particularly if we learn the importance of keeping our feet dry and free from sweat. However, the toenail infection is not so easily eliminated and often continues as a seemingly perpetual problem. In the past, drugs like griseofulvin and ketoconazole have been used, sometimes successfully, but always with the risk of side effects, particularly since the drugs must be taken over a long period of time. In recent years, drugs like Sporanox and Lamisil have been heavily promoted as the ultimate cure, but these drugs, like all drugs, carry a certain risk of harmful side effects such as liver damage and they are not as effective as their manufacturers would have us believe. They are also extremely expensive. For those of you who know how modern medicine works, it is not surprising that our doctors ignore simple solutions while drugs are offered as the only answer to the problem. There are also a number of over-the-counter products, which are for the most part totally ineffective. Possible Solutions for Toenail Fungus Tea Tree Oil is extracted from the leaves of a shrub-like tree found only in Australia. There are over 100 varieties of such plants. The variety most frequently used is Melaleuca Alternifolia. It is a potent natural antiseptic and fungicide and is safer to use than the concocted products of the pharmaceutical industry. It has an odor somewhat like that of turpentine. Absorption may be enhanced when mixed with DMSO. You may apply one drop of Tea Tree Oil or the above mixture under and on the nail every morning and evening. Pau d arco & Goldenseal The Prescription for Nutritional Healing recommends soaking the affected nails twice a day for 15 minutes in a mixture of Pau darco and Goldenseal in very hot water. Colloidal Silver is a natural antibacterial antifungal. Some individuals have seen faster results. You may apply with a swab or spray on the toenail and get under the nail where possible. As the infected tissue under the nail dies and loses feeling, keep cutting the nail back and clean the dead tissue from under the nail as thoroughly and as often as you can. In time, there may be little nail left. When you begin to see new nail, let it grow out but continue the treatment until the nail is completely re-grown. Since toenails grow so slowly (slower than fingernails), the complete process will probably take a year or more. However, this would be true even if you used the usual drug approach. Lactobacilli taken internally is a beneficial bacteria needed to inhibit bad bacteria and fungus. The lack of sufficient friendly bacteria in the body can result in the growth of fungus under and around nails. Free From Amino Acids are the building materials for new nails. MSM provides the natural sulfur for healing soft tissue and nail growth. Vitamin A assists the body in protein utilization. Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc are necessary for nail growth and affect the absorption and action of vitamins and enzymes. Remember this is a long process no matter what you use because of the time it takes for the nail to grow out. Be persistent in your treatment. It may take a year for the nail to be fully replaced regardless of the treatment. Available Products for Toenail Fungus: For More Product Information & Alternative Formats, Click Item Descriptions.