Finding the right toe fungus treatment can be a long, tedious task. Those seeking a cure have several options including prescriptions, over the counter creams and home remedies. Each one is effective, however some take more time then others.

Most minor toe fungus infections can be treated at at home with some great home remedies. One of the most effective cures is right in the pantry, apple cider vinegar. Vinegar is an extremely acidic substance that is thin enough to seep into places where fungus can hide. Fungus cannot survive such a highly acidic environment and will be killed off with repeated doses.

Home remedies are extremely cost effective, most are so commonly found in the home no extra money needs to be spent at all. For those on a tight budget this is extremely good news. Because apple cider vinegar is a food grade item users do not have to worry about side effects or potential drug interactions. A huge con is the time they take, most remedies take months of daily treatments before real results are noticeable.

Many prescription drugs are available to treat the infection. For mild infections that do not involve the nail a topical cream is often prescribed. For more serious infections or infections that involved the nail bed an oral medication is recommended. Before prescribing a pill the doctor will take samples to determine what kind of fungal infection the patient has, this will better help them prescribe an effective medication. Patients will then be asked to return to the office throughout the time you are on the medication to make sure it is working.

Because the doctor is prescribing medications tailored specifically to the type of fungal infection the patient has it is extremely effective in time. However the side effects of the medication can range from mild discomfort to liver damage. Because of the high risk to the liver patients will need to come in for blood work at regular intervals. Patients must also be extremely careful while taking other medications because of life threatening drug interactions.

The most recent advancement in fugal infection treatment is lasers. Doctors use them to heat the infection up so high it kills the organism. The procedure has been effective in small test groups but is still inconclusive in larger test samples.

The pro of using a laser is that it only requires one treatment in the majority of cases. There are a lot of cons to this, it is not widely available and those who desire the procedure may have to travel long distances. The other huge con is the price tag for a single treatment.

The best way to ensure any of these treatments are effective is by practicing proper foot care. Keep nails trimmed as short as comfortable possible, wear socks made out of natural fibers, do not allow the foot to stay wet for any period of time and wear shoes that breathe.

Fungal infections are expensive and time consuming to treat. But for the thousands suffering from chronic symptoms the expense and wait is well worth it. In a year those feet can be beautiful.

Marie is a foot health expert specializing in how to get rid of toenail fungus.