But for complete recovery, you’ll have to wait until a new uninfected nail grows. That takes 12 to 18 months.

It is a bit of a faff, but very powerful. First, you have to clean and soften the affected foot (or hand) in warm water, dry it, apply the ointment and cover it all with a plaster. You do this once a day. After the first 24 hours, you can start scraping at the infected nail tissue, which will start to come away. After a couple of weeks of this fun, you’ll have removed the entire infected nail. Plasters and a scraper are included in the box. Also remember that the infection can recur if you are not careful about keeping your feet clean and dry. No, a fungal infection in your toenail will not go away on its own. It will keep getting worse if left untreated. Not properly drying your toes and feet can also cause an overgrowth of fungi on or under the nails, leading to a fungal infection. Amorolfine, ciclopirox and pentylene glycol are among the most-used active ingredients of anti-fungal nail treatments. They restore pH balance, kill fungal and bacterial infections, and allow the nail to grow healthily from its base.If untreated, toenail fungus usually spreads to other nails and outer parts of the body such as the groin, head and between the toes. Keep your toenails correctly trimmed and use a lotion containing peppermint, tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil or some other natural anti-fungal agent to keep your feet well moisturised. Clean, well cared for feet are less likely to develop a fungal infection. It is important to understand that nail fungus is always a symptom of a systemic fungal infection. It does not occur on its own, and it is not a condition in and of itself. Even if you “catch” athlete’s foot fungus at your local gym or from some other source, the fact that it was able to take hold indicates a weakness in your immune system. As soon as you notice signs of nail fungus, get an oral prescription or an over-the-counter topical treatment. Q: How long does nail fungus take to go away?

If you’re not sure, show the nail to your local pharmacist, who’ll be able to confirm that you’ve got a fungal infection and not some other less common nail problem. What should I look for in a fungal nail treatment? However, the only sure way of knowing it is a fungal nail infection is to see the doctor since other infections can have similar symtomps. Q: Is there any cure for nail fungus? You should also be careful when sharing things like foot exercisers, foot massagers and foot spas. Sanitize them before use. The fungus that causes this problem is quite common. It is the same fungus that causes athlete’s foot and ringworm outbreaks. The difference is just in the location of the fungal infection. Diligent foot care will help prevent athlete’s foot and fungal nail infection.

Get your toes sandal-ready with our recommended treatments to clear and prevent fungal nail infections

Fungal infections are typically hard to treat compared to bacterial ones. But there are some treatments that can eliminate nail fungus, though there is a chance it might return. In addition, you can use an over-the-counter topical treatment such as the ones we have reviewed above. These include ointments, salves and creams. Q: Can toenail fungus go away on its own?