Podiatrist has suggested these options to my 95-yr-old mom to eradicate fungus on her big toenails. The topical kit of Tolcylen costs $120 and the laser treatment is over $500. I tried soaking her feet weekly in a mixture of water and vinegar, but that did not do much. Vicks Vaporub apparently works on some fungus but not this kind.
The ones I worked for would only prescribe treatment if the patient really want it. The topical medication rarely worked. The oral one was contraindicated by other medications, but effective for those who could take it. Oral was very expensive and it took at least one month of pills. Laser treatment was expensive, needed multiple visits and still there was not guarantee.
Even topical medications it could take a year to see results, the old nail has to grow out before you would see good new nail growth. Same with oral medications and they come with a whole host of side effects.
Unless there is some physical discomfort caused by the nails bothers your mom I would leave them alone.
Continue to have them trimmed so you do not have to deal with other problems like ingrown nails. (I used to kid my husband that I could only cut his nails with a hacksaw)
If the nail does cause pain you could go a step further and have the nail removed. There are procedures that can do that and if properly done the nail will not grow back.
I had considered it for my Husband but by that time it was just better to leave well enough alone. As was the decision for so many things.
I hadn’t heard of this different fungus! Best wishes.
I will keep up the vinegar and water soaks even though podiatrist said that really is not effective in terms of eradicating the fungus.
Best wishes to you as well.
I just cleared up my husbands nails and keep mine fungus free by applying it everytime I shower.
No doc will tell you this as it hurts their bottom line. It simple, easy , natural with no side effects and cheap. Win win!
YvdCalseyde - Belgium, gerontologist
Her nurse said a soak in a foot spa with Epsom salts too would make her feel better. Soothing.
Talk it over with a podiatrist. I’m certainly not an expert in this area. Others may have much better advice. Hope you can resolve the issue soon.