What is the best way to treat nail fungus (onychomycosis)?
Disease description:
I've been treating my fungal nail infection since last year, but it hasn't gotten better. Could you please advise what the best treatment is for fungal nail infections?
The best treatment for onychomycosis (fungal nail infection) should be selected based on the severity of the condition and individual differences. Generally, treatment methods include Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
1. **Western medicine treatment**: For patients with mild symptoms, topical antifungal medications such as 30% acetic acid solution or terbinafine topical preparations can be applied once or twice daily, consistently for more than three months. For more severe cases, oral antifungal drugs such as terbinafine tablets or itraconazole may be prescribed. Additionally, surgical nail removal is another option, although postoperative care and prevention of infection must be carefully observed.
2. **Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment**: TCM therapies such as acupuncture and moxibustion can help alleviate symptoms of onychomycosis by stimulating specific acupoints to improve blood circulation and enhance immune function.
Regardless of the chosen treatment method, it should always be conducted under the guidance of a physician. Maintaining personal hygiene and preventing infection are also essential. Furthermore, treating onychomycosis requires patience and persistence—do not give up easily.