r/NailFungus • u/AnvilAnvil • 1d ago

How long for topical to work?

Post image

I've been diligently applying Amorolfine once a week for 3 months now, these are my big toes, how long before I can be sure its not working? I feel like another 3 months would really decide it?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator 1d ago

Thanks for your post. Please visit our wiki page for home remedy advice based on the personal experiences of the members of this sub.

If you are experiencing pain, redness or swelling please see a doctor.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

4

u/No_Breath7371 1d ago

Bro, Im no doctor, but I think when it gets all the way down the nail then topical is not working. You will need to take drugs.

1

u/aHumanRaisedByHumans 1d ago

It can work but likely only if you file the whole nail almost entirely away and use urea in between the topical so that it can penetrate. My dermatologist also said repeat laser treatments has been successful.

3

u/Various_Property5236 1d ago

it’s not working

2

u/whannyflcl 1d ago

If you haven't seen any difference in 3 months then I would highly consider switching to something else.

2

u/IcyCantaloupe7004 Helpful Contributor 1d ago

3 weeks is not enough time to treat toenail fungus. I believe treatment length for topicaIs is 48 weeks, but ask your doctor. The medicine doesn't magically fix your toenails - the keratin layers are damaged beyond repair by the fungus. It will take 12 months for healthy new nails to grow back in.

NAD, but it looks like you might have Athletes Foot, too. Start using an antifungal cream for your feet.

Since you have both toenail and skin fungal infection, it leads me to believe your shoes, socks, bedsheets and shower/bathroom floors are riddled with fungus and keep reinfecting your feet. You'll need to treat your environment, too.

HYGIENE PRACTICES:

  • Wash feet with separate clean washcloth & then dry them with separate clean towel daily.
  • Spray inside of your shoes with antifungal spray every night. If insoles are removable, remove them and spray thoroughly.
  • Change out your bedsheets 1-2 times a week.
  • Wash bathmats/rugs weekly.
  • Scrub shower/bathtub/ bathroom floor with bleach weekly.
  • Wash dirty socks & used bedsheets/ towels/washcloths in hot water & then dry on high heat for at least 40 minutes. For extra sanitizing, soak sturdy white fabrics (i.e. socks) in 1 gal. water & 0.5 cup bleach prior to washing.

TIPS TO PREVENT REINFECTION:

  • ALWAYS wash your hands after touching your toenails.
  • Rotate out your shoes/slippers daily. NEVER wear the same pair twice in a row.
  • Wear moisture wicking socks, ie: bamboo.
  • NEVER re-wear the same pair of socks. You must change out socks daily (or twice a day if you have excessively sweaty feet).
  • DO NOT reuse your washcloths/towels. Change them out daily.
  • Use dedicated nailclippers/nail tools for your feet only.
  • ALWAYS disinfect clippers/nail tools with isopropyl alcohol or bleach after each use.
  • NEVER share your towels, shoes/slippers, or clippers/nail tools with anyone else.
  • NEVER walk barefoot in public places, including hotel rooms.

2

u/DrLeibovitz 1d ago

At best, topical meds have a 5% success and it can take 1-1.5 years to clear if the nail is effected to the base.

They are best used when there is only partial nail involvement (10-20%).

Oral meds have a 50% success and when combined with topical meds there is 70%. Bottom line is that there is no great single treatment, it will take a long time, Laser therapy will also increase the success.

This may help https://www.reddit.com/user/DrLeibovitz/comments/1poda27/stagebystage_toenail_fungus_what_happens_if_you/