Many dermatologists today are routinely prescribing Lamisil for nail fungus. This prescription drug contains the antifungal agent terbinafine. It is taken in tablet form - one pill every day for six to twelve weeks. The longer treatment period is recommended for fungal toenail infections, which take longer to clear up. Terbinafine is a safer drug than many of the antifungal medications that have been used in the past, apparently justifying its use to treat fungal nail infections.

Difficulties with systemic antifungals in the past, as opposed to a home cure for nail fungus, included organ toxicity, particularly liver and kidney damage. Though the risk has been reduced, it still exists, and patients taking terbinafine should have regular blood tests to monitor their liver and kidney function. In addition, Lamisil for nail fungus is not recommended in a number of health situations including preexisting liver or kidney disease, pregnancy, and alcoholism, or in combination with a host of other drugs including acetaminophen, oral contraceptives and estrogen.

Due to the risks of side effects and the extraordinarily high cost of Lamisil for nail fungus, many people still opt for more traditional cures for nail fungus infection. There are many of these, as prescription drugs were simply not available until very recently. A natural remedy may involve soaking the nail daily in vinegar, dilute chlorine, or commercial products like hydrogen peroxide or Listerine mouthwash. Some remedies are painted or pasted on - antifungal mud, Vicks VapoRub, or alternative remedies made from plant extracts and essential oils. For any of these methods, home cure for nail fungus takes as long as it takes the nail to grow out completely, and success depends on a commitment to stick with the treatment until results are achieved.

Whether you opt for a natural remedy of use Lamisil for nail fungus treatment, you can increase your odds of success by adopting good foot care practices. Keep your nails clean and neatly trimmed, and for infected nails, regularly clip of file away any parts of the nail that are flaky or loose. Keep your feet clean and dry, paying special attention to the spaces between the toes - some fungi that infect nails can spread to the surrounding skin. If you are trying a home cure for nail fungus, find out as much as you can about it and follow instructions carefully. While remedies using vinegar or bleach are attractively cheap, you may obtain faster and more effective results with an alternative product. Essential plant oils, especially tea tree oil show considerable promise and are backed up by at least preliminary scientific data.

If you think you have a nail fungus infection, consult your doctor before starting to treat it, and never use prescription medication that has been prescribed for someone ease. Only a medical professional can accurately diagnose a fungal nail infection.