5. Laser Toenail Surgery— There are disagreements whether Podiatrists think it works (I do not think it works) for fungal toenails. Laser toenail surgery is not covered by insurance. It is expensive and experimental, but it is a treatment. There are no studies to back up that it is successful and no quality studies are currently being undertaken.
4. Fungal Toenails removed– This is another painful option, but an option none the less. What happens is a Podiatrist can numb the toe, remove the fungal toenail and then kill the nail root so the fungal toenail does not grow back. This is the one option with a 100% cure rate. However, it does require the removal of the fungal toenail, which some people would consider a drastic step. Remember there are no recorded cases of a person dying from a systemic fungal infection started by a fungal toenail.
3. Regular Debridements– Whether at a Podiatrist or done by yourself. If you are a diabetic with fungal toenails it is highly advised to go to a Podiatrist for cutting of your fungal toenails. The common complaint is “I can not find any scissors big enough to cut my fungal toenails”. Well, I have placed some examples you can order from Amazon below. It would be prudent to soak your feet for a couple minutes before cutting your own fungal toenails. The debridement will not cure your fungal toenails, but it can reduce the pain and pressure that can be caused by fungal toenails.
2. Topical Antifungals– Again these have a low success, but do have a success rate. They work most effectively on fungal toenails that are not 100% fungal yet. These are inexpensive and can be bought via prescription or over the counter. I have placed some examples of topical antifungals below.
1. Oral Anti Fungals– Sporanox and Lamisil- these have a high cure rate. It is really the only fungal toenail treatment with a high cure rate that has been properly studied. The risk of liver side effects are incredibly over blown, affecting about one in every thousand patients. The price has gone down too. Oral Lamisil is only 3 dollars at some grocery stores. The only downside is it is a pill and if you are taking other medication that effects the liver it is not much of an option. If you do not have time to go to the doctor you can simply video conference now and get a prescription for your fungal toenails.