Medical procedures, proper hygiene, and preventive care constitute the best way to permanently eradicate stubborn toenail fungus (onychomycosis).

Here are the approaches:
Oral Antifungal Medicine Prescribed by Doctors
• Terbinafine (Lamisil) and itraconazole (Sporanox) are a few of the medications that are quite effective because they reach the infection from behind the body systemically.
• Treatment usually lasts 12 weeks, but it may take as long as 10–18 months for a new, healthy nail to develop.
• These types of medicines generally have a high successful treatment outcome, but they can have side effects like liver problems or drug interactions. So, routine follow-up by a doctor is always requisite.

Topical Antifungal Treatments
• Prescription cream/gel/nail polish such as ciclopirox (Penlac) or efinaconazole (Jublia) are indicated for mild cases or concomitantly taken with oral medications.
• Topical treatments need to be applied every day over several months and are most effective when the infected nail is cut and filed to allow better penetration.

Combination Therapy
• Taking oral antifungal tablets along with topical therapies is suggested to enhance the efficacy in severe or resistant cases.

Laser Treatment
• The fungus is targeted with heat through laser therapy, causing damage to its genetic material.
• Although it sounds promising, there is a need for further research to prove its long-term efficacy. It is also quite expensive, and insurance often does not cover it.

Nail Removal
• Severe cases that do not respond to treatment may require partial or complete nail excision.
• It can be surgically done or nonsurgically by chemical agents like urea ointment. Time will allow regrowth of a new nail, but this grows back after a year or more.

Home Remedies Mild Cases:
• These natural remedies are tea tree oil, snakeroot extract, or Vicks VapoRub, which have antifungal properties and apply directly to the affected toenail. These are generally much less effective than prescription treatments but work best in the early stages.
• Cut and thin the affected nail regularly. This helps improve the efficiency of any topical treatment.

Good Hygiene Practices
• Keep feet clean and dry.
• Do not walk barefoot in damp public areas like locker rooms or pool decks.
• Wear breathable shoes and change socks daily to prevent reinfection.

Preventive Measures After Treatment
• Use antifungal sprays or powders in shoes after treating.
• Periodically apply antifungal creams to prevent recurrent skin infections.

Key Takeaway: Toenail fungus requires time after time treatment over months in order to be eradicated thoroughly. Oral antifungals provide the most effective option for treating severe cases, with topical treatments and lasers as complements. Preventive care is important for reinfection.
Always consult a health provider for diagnosis and treatments tailored specifically to your condition.

If you are looking for a natural supplement that can take care of fungal toenails, you can check here.